Why You Need A Tech Pack – 101

Wait, But First, What Is A Tech Pack?

After finalising your line up of garments you want to develop a tech pack. This is the stepping stone, getting each garment ready for sampling. It provides all of the key information necessary to create a real life, fit for purpose garment including the technical flat sketch. I have spent years putting tech packs together for brands, a good tech pack can make a huge difference.

Minimises Errors –

Fashion production is notorious for mistakes, even with a tech pack mistakes can be made, but by having a solid tech pack you are taking all the right precautions to allow for a smooth process with minimal curve balls. Having a professional standard tech pack will save you time and money in the long run by clearly communicating all the information up front, like an instruction manual for each garment.

Accurate Costings –

With an accurate tech pack, you can get a more accurate price estimation. It is as simple as that. Informing your chosen factory of all the information they need to create a cost breakdown. This has a positive knock on effect helping you get all your finances organised and in order from the beginning.

Professional Edge –

When approaching a new manufacturer or building on an existing relationship, it is important to look professional. Approaching a factory ready with tech packs will make them take you seriously and potentially prioritise your work. It shows that you mean business and you know the correct way of working with your suppliers. It also shows organisation and attention to detail, commanding the same level of professionalism from everyone you work with.

Understanding Sourcing –

Often multiple components go into making a garment, be that lining, fusing, buttons, threads, ties…the list goes on. Having the trims you need listed in one place will make sourcing more straight forward, understanding all the components you need from the beginning.

Higher Quality Finish –

Employing someone like me to do your tech pack will ensure that the finishing details are up to a high standard, often those finishing details are what can set you apart from your competitors, so don’t underestimate the art of producing a quality garment and the ability to communicate the details.  

 Saves Time And Money –

Having a clear road map from the beginning helps minimise the number of samples needed before a garment is ready for production. Creating multiple samples can become costly. The first sample should only need a few minor tweaks if you have a professional tech pack, unless you change your mind about multiple details. We all know time is money, better samples means your product can be brought to market faster and you can start selling.

Industry Standard & Easily Understood –

One thing you have to account for when working in international industries such as fashion, is potential culture and language barriers. These don’t have to be barriers. When you have a good tech pack it will make all details as clear as possible. This is why they are so important, not leaving anything to chance.

Have A Master -

Tech packs serve as a master documents to track product development including comments, revisions, and changes made through out the sampling process. Having a master to refer back to is invaluable and helps cover you if mistakes are made during production.  

It Acts as a Contract -

If you have a tech pack in place and for any reason any mistakes are made, or the factory doesn’t create your samples as you have requested, you can go back and reffer to it. Without a tech pack and any mistakes are made, you don’t have much to fall back on, which can make sampling a very costly process.

I could go on, but let’s keep things as succinct as possible. I hope this helps you learn a bit about the process.

Lottie xx