Have you been left wondering ‘why tech packs are so important?’. We’re going to explain exactly why, jargon free, I promise!
Ever thought what on Earth Is a Tech Pack?
You know how every great project needs a solid plan? Well, a tech pack (short for 'technical package') is exactly that for clothing production. Think of a tech pack as the blueprint for your garment. Just like architects need detailed plans to build a house, your manufacturer needs a tech pack to bring your design to life. It’s a document that tells everyone involved in the production process exactly how to make your clothing— from the cost estimators crunching numbers to the pattern makers crafting the perfect shape, fabric cutters selecting materials, to the talented machinists bringing it all together with their stitching skills.
Without a tech pack, you’re basically asking people to guess what you want. After years in the fashion industry my biggest lesson is that guessing anything in production leads to a lot of errors (and headaches).
I can't stress enough how crucial tech packs are in production. They form a basic contract with the manufacturer, spelling out everything from the fabric choices to how graphics should be applied, and even the tiniest construction details. It's like having a detailed recipe for your favourite dish - skip a step, and it just won't turn out right!
As someone who's seen countless tech packs I can tell the difference between a good and a bad tech pack is the difference between good and bad sampling and bulk production.
Why a Tech Pack is Your Best Friend
I’ve now outlined how important having a solid tech pack is... It's not just something pretty to look at, it's crucial. This thing is your golden ticket to reducing production errors, saving time, and keeping costs under control. Let me explain why:
1. A Communication Lifesaver - Have you ever played that whispering game where the word gets warped by the end? That's the kind of mess you land in when you ditch the tech pack in production. Verbal or informal instructions can get lost in translation (and are hard to keep track of), leading to confusion and mistakes. A tech pack eliminates the guesswork by providing clear, written instructions for every detail. No more "but I thought you meant..." moments!
2. Maintains Quality Control - From precise measurements to specific materials and construction methods, the tech pack forms the basis of your quality control guide for all teams to follow, your items will be checked against your tech pack in sampling and bulk production. When issues pop up it's your go-to troubleshooting guide.
3. Controls Costs – It’s never a smart move to try to conceal cost elements in your design as the manufacturer will simply find another way to reduce your cost (usually by lowering fabric or construction quality) or put your unit cost up after sampling. The more you put into your tech pack the less you have to navigate later! The idea is to cover everything from fabric selection to your preferred bulk garment shipping method. By doing this, your manufacturer can provide accurate costing, and you can dodge any pricey blunders.
4. Consistent Manufacturing - Whether you're working with one factory or ten, a solid tech pack helps to ensure every piece meets the same standards.
It’s important to remember! Even with the best tech pack in the world, you still need someone who knows their stuff (I’m talking about an experienced garment developer) to keep an eye on things. It’s awful but true, if you sent the same tech pack to ten different factories, you would get ten different samples back! That's why the involvement of a garment developer is required to ensure everything stays on track.
Within The Clothing Tech Pack
All right, you get that tech packs are vital. But what exactly goes into one? Here’s a quick rundown of the essentials:
1. Detailed Line Drawings
These show your garment - front, back and sometimes sides. Through detailed line illustrations they highlight all those important features like pockets and seams. Usually, we focus on front and back views, but we'll also include some side views or close-ups where required.
2. Bill Of Materials
This is where we get super specific about everything that goes into the garment, including fabric, buttons, zippers, labels, colours - essentially anything that needs specifying. Each garment needs its particulars noted down (at H&E we also add specific coding so nothing can be confused).
3. Colourways Descriptions
Here's something I'm really particular about - each colourway gets its own SKU with a complete tech pack. No shortcuts with just a colour list! This stops confusion between different garment colourways.
4. Digital Patterns Instead of Measurement Charts
At Hook and Eye UK, we only use digital patterns instead of measurement charts. It's more accurate and makes everything run smoother. For a full explanation of the difference between the two see here.
5. Technical Diagrams
These show how every detail such as the linings, pockets, and interfacing should be sewn. The more detailed the better but ensure your construction knowledge is sound before drawing something that isn’t possible!
6. Fit Standards
Specify the fit you’re going for; slim, relaxed, baggy, etc. Including a reference image is a great idea.
7. Labels And Packaging
We illustrate everything about brand labels and tags. We also have prearranged agreements with our teams on how garments are placed into grip seal garment bags, folded into boxes, or hung. It’s a great idea to include images of examples in your tech pack as an easy explainer guide to your manufacturer.
8. Testing and Compliance
Make sure your garment meets all safety and regulatory standards. This is especially important if you’re selling internationally.
In Conclusion – 4 Most Important Points For Creating A Killer Tech Pack
1. Be Specific - The more detail, the better. Avoid vague instructions and double-check all measurements.
2. Stay Organized - Label each section clearly and follow a logical order. Cross-reference information to avoid confusion.
3. Talk to Your Manufacturer Early - Don’t wait until the last minute to share your tech pack. Get their feedback on materials, production methods, and anything else that could affect the process.
4. Use Tech Pack Software - Tools like Adobe Illustrator are industry-standard, but they can be tricky to master. If you’re not tech-savvy, consider working with a professional designer (like us!).
P.S Hook and Eye UK Can Help You!
I mentioned earlier, even the best tech packs cannot completely eliminate errors without the guidance of an experienced garment developer.
At Hook and Eye UK, we specialise in creating comprehensive tech packs with full digital patterns and expert guidance to ensure your designs are produced to the highest standards. Whether you're a start-up brand or an established business, our team is here to help bring your vision to life.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our live one-to-one tech pack services and how we can support your brand by filling in our enquiry form here.
Hope this Helps!
Ritu H&E
