Why Tech Packs are not the Silver Bullet we all hope for Garment Production

If you work in the fashion industry, then you’ve probably heard of a tech pack or a spec document. These technical documents are essential in the garment production process as they contain all the necessary information required to create garments accurately. However, if not done accurately, they can cause the production process to go wrong, leading to miscommunication, delays, and increased costs. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the importance of creating accurate tech packs or spec documents to ensure high-quality garments that meet the needs of your customers while saving time and money in the production process.

What is a Tech Pack or Spec Document?

Simply put, a tech pack or a spec document is a technical document that accompanies a pattern. It contains all the necessary technical details and measurements for the garment to be produced accurately. It’s a vital component in the garment production process as it ensures that everyone involved in the production process has the same information needed to create the garment accurately.

Why Are Accurate Tech Packs Important?

Accurate tech packs are essential in the garment production process for the following reasons:

1. They Ensure Quality

Having accurate tech packs ensures that the garment produced is of good quality. They ensure that everyone involved in the production process understands the specific requirements, allowing them to produce the garment accurately.

2. They Save Time and Money

By having an accurate tech pack, you can save time and money during the production process. It reduces the need for multiple emails and revisions which can prolong the production process and increase costs. But only if accompanied with the final graded pattern.

3. They Prevent Miscommunication

Having a detailed and accurate tech pack ensures that everyone involved in the production process has a clear understanding of what is required, preventing miscommunication and misunderstandings.

What Happens When Tech Packs are Done Incorrectly?

Unfortunately, tech packs are often created by the wrong person or at the wrong time, leading to inaccurate information being passed on. This can cause the garment production process to go wrong in many different ways.

For instance, if the measurements in the tech pack are pulled from other garments, estimates, or thin air, it can be challenging to retrofit everything together. This often results in having to create a measurement chart from the finalized pattern. The problem with this method is that it’s accurate at the end of the process when it’s too late to make changes.

Creating an accurate tech pack or spec document requires a skilled pattern maker, and it’s crucial that they’re involved in the process from the beginning. I think one of the biggest issues is that start up designers buy a tech pack but do not realize that they ALSO need to invest in pattern making and sample making. It does not replace this process. So they may be promised something that the ‘tech pack creator’ knows from offshore production which is totally different when manufacturing locally.

Conclusion

Creating an accurate tech pack or spec document is crucial in the garment production process. It ensures quality, saves time and money, and prevents miscommunication. These documents are vital in helping everyone involved in the production process to understand the requirements and produce the garment accurately.

However, it’s important to note that tech packs should be created by the right person at the right time. A skilled pattern maker should create the tech pack using accurate measurements from the finalized pattern. This ensures that everything is correct for the final garment that you have approved. By following these guidelines, you can create high-quality garments that meet the needs of your customers while saving time and money in the production process. Knowing this process is just one important step in how you can save money when creating your fashion label.

Have you ever wondered what if it actually is cheaper to manufacture overseas, or are you better off with local production?

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• Are you unsure what to do first and how to decide on where to manufacture.
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