What is a tech pack?
A tech pack contains everything you need to create the garment. it is a multi-page document that illustrates, describes and lists all the technical details that a factory needs to quote a price and produce a garment. Using tech packs for garment production is an industry standard practice.
a tech pack contains:
Technical drawings
Garment construction details
Breakdown of colorways
Material and trim details
Measurements and sizing information
Label and logo placements
Packaging details
Bill of materials
The amount of detail that goes into atech pack is overwhelming. However, if you do NOT choose the details then thefactory will guess. An incorrect guess can lead to delays, more costly rounds of sampling and all around frustration. It is best to add as much detail as possible.
A tech pack also acts as a contract between you and the factory. Problems are inevitable and when they do happen you can always refer back to the tech pack to decipher who is at fault. For example, if a garment is made but doesn’t fit correctly,, then either the measurements in the tech pack are wrong (your fault) or the factory did not follow the measurements (the factory’s fault.) Or, if the goods are rejected by customs authority because the main label is missing the RN number then you can reference the tech pack to see if the RN number is missing or not in the tech pack. If the RN is in the tech pack then the factory is at fault. If the RN number is not specified in the tech pack then you are at fault. Tech packs make it easy to arbitrate costly mistakes.
Don’t rely on the factory to create your tech pack. Factories must make their own tech packs but they will not give them to you. Why? Because you can take that tech pack to another factory to get another price quote. You can easily take your order elsewhere. Tech packs are extremely valuable in this regard. Factories know this and will refuse to give your their internal tech packs. Don’t rely on factories to create your tech packs. Use your tech pack to switch suppliers quickly. Imagine you work with a factory for two weeks and then all of a sudden they tell you that their capacity is full, or they increase the price significantly or their minimum order quantity doubles. If you have YOUR tech pack completed, then you can quickly move to another factory. If you don’t have a tech paCK, then you have to start from scratch with a new factory.
If you show up to a factory with a complete tech pack then you don’t need to speak their language. Most factories can read English and understand images and numbers. Having a complete tech pack will make a good first impression and facilitate quick decision making. Establish your professionalism and HAVING Their respect from day one by having a tech pack in hanD.
If A factory accepts to work with you without tech packs, BE WARY. You are going to PAY the factory thousands of dollars to have your garments made. It is very very risky to produce anything without documenting technical details. You only have one shot to get PRODUCTION right. Would you build a house without architectural drawings?