If your tech pack is missing specs, it is incomplete.
In the fashion world, your tech pack is more than just a document—it’s a legal contract and a blueprint for your design. If you leave gaps in that blueprint, you aren't just "giving the factory creative freedom"; you’re gambling with your bank account.
Interpretation leads to inconsistency, and inconsistency leads to "margin leakage"—the hidden costs that eat your profits before the product even hits the shelf.
Here is everything you need to include to ensure your vision matches the final product.
1. The Cover Page & Version Control
Think of this as the ID card for your garment. It must include the style name, SKU, and season. Crucially, it needs a version date. As you go through sampling, you will make tweaks. Without clear version control, a factory might produce 500 units based on an outdated "v1" sketch instead of your corrected "v3".
Forget artistic illustrations with moody shadows. You need "fashion flats"—precise, two dimensional black and white drawings.
Front and Back Views: These are mandatory.
Zoom Bubbles: Use these to show tiny details like a specific pocket finish or a hidden button.
Callouts: Use arrows to label every feature so nothing is "guessed" by the pattern maker.
3. The Bill of Materials (BOM)
The BOM is your "shopping list." It should detail every single item needed to build the garment, from the main shell fabric to the thread color.
Fabric Specs: Don't just say "cotton." Specify "100% Cotton Poplin, 120 GSM".
Trims: Include zippers, buttons, interlinings, and labels.
Pro Tip: Use the term "DTM" (Dyed to Match) if you want your buttons or zippers to match the fabric perfectly.
4. Measurement Specs & The Magic of "Tolerance"
This is the heart of your fit. A spec sheet lists every measurement point (like chest width or sleeve length). However, human hands sew clothes, and they aren't perfect. You must define a Tolerance the acceptable range of error. For example, if a chest measurement is 20 inches with a tolerance of 0.5 inches, you will accept anything from 19.5 to 20.5 inches.
Grading is how you scale your sample size (usually a Medium) up to an XL or down to an XS. Without clear rules, your XL might end up with sleeves that are way too long or a neck that is way too wide.
6. Construction Notes & Stitch References
Tell the factory exactly how to put the pieces together. Use industrystandard ISO codes to avoid confusion:
ISO 301 (Lockstitch): Standard for woven seams.
ISO 504 (Overedge): Essential for finishing raw edges or sewing knits.
SPI (Stitches Per Inch): Specify this to control durability. For a luxury look, aim for 14–20 SPI; for denim, 6–8 SPI is standard.
7. Artwork Placement & Colorways
If you have a logo,print or care label, specify exactly where it goes using landmarks like "2 inches below the High Point Shoulder (HPS)". Use Pantone codes for colors; "Sky Blue" means something different to everyone, but a Pantone code is universal.
8. Packaging Instructions
The job isn’t done until the garment arrives safely. Include instructions for:
Folding: How the item should be folded to avoid wrinkles.
Polybags: Mention if they need a "Suffocation Warning" (required in many regions).
Barcodes: Specify placement for UPC or EAN codes to avoid retailer chargebacks.
Why Detail Matters: The Bottom Line
Incomplete documentation is expensive. A single unclear instruction can lead to an extra round of sampling.
A proper tech pack protects your margins, your fit, and your timeline. It ensures that what you designed is exactly what the customer receives.
