A tech pack is a manual that provides instructions on how to make clothes. This is a written and graphical document that details the design requirements, fit requirements, manufacturing process, measurements, and size of the garment. In order to get the intended result with the appropriate quality and aesthetics, the buyer communicates the tech-pack with the production merchandiser. Tech-pack contains a provision for maintaining product quality throughout the manufacturing process.
Important information is provided in specification sheets to guarantee that garment designs are correctly translated into final garments. It facilitates the creation of precise samples, which speeds up turnaround time and makes communication easier across all phases of production and quality control.
Detailed technical diagrams, construction notes, dimensions for the final product, fabric yields, and information on the materials and trims are all included in the tech pack. It is often customized to meet the demands of the firm in terms of structure and information presented.
Tech-pack offers a platform for communication to everyone involved in manufacturing by giving information on measurements and technical design, product development by giving information on measurements and silhouettes, etc. It offers the point of measurement, seam specifications, and fit specifications to the quality department.
The production department must be able to move forward with the manufacturing process after the tech-pack for any style has been frozen without needing to consult the designer regarding any aspect of production. The merchandisers are therefore able to guarantee that the manufacturing department receives the necessary materials in accordance with the tech-pack at the appropriate times and in the appropriate quantities.
This document can be used by the marketing division to show to big format retailers and their important clients. Efficiency within the organization is increased by the creation of a tech-pack and its use to manage and coordinate various production-related operations. This is because different departments may refer to the common document for any activity or conversation.
In most cases, the buyer delivers the tech pack to the merchandiser or manufacturer if they lack internal design and product development capabilities. The tech pack is then created by the design and technical team and authorized by the buyer. For the clothing maker, it is the most vital communication instrument.
Contents
Tech-pack from the viewpoint of a merchandiser
The most crucial element of every export order is the tech-pack. The production merchandiser has to know how to read the tech pack and what to look for. The following are some of the key features of the tech-pack:
Style no:
From the perspective of merchandisers, style number is crucial. The style number, which may be alpha-numeric or numeric, serves as a distinctive identification for the product. The season and the product’s categorization or grouping are also indicated by the style number. One of the most efficient forms of communication in clothes marketing is the buyer referring to and sending the style number. The style number includes the year, season, color, and one unique reference number that identifies the particular style. The fundamental relevance of the style number is that it is not always essential to explain the entire outfit in writing or over the phone. Only the style number will fulfill the needs of both the buyer and the merchandiser.
Fabric requirements:
Fabric requirements are a significant consideration for manufacturing merchandisers. With the assistance of the sourcing department and supplier, the buyer may provide the fabric specification, which includes EPI, PPI, Yarn count, Fiber content, Blend Specification, design of the fabric, GSM, and breadth. If the customer does not specify the fabric’s width, the merchant must respond right away. Buyer may provide the tech-pack for color development independently or in addition to the color combination and shade card. According to the style and circumstance, the customer may also supply a sample of the fabric and a scan of the print design in addition to this information. The buyer must also specify how the cloth will be tested for things like strength and fastness.
Trimming instructions:
The details of every trim, including interfacings, labels, zippers, buttons, thread, lace, and other trim, are listed in the trim specification. The trim details include information such as button color, size, and raw material. labels that state whether they are printed or woven with a distinctive jacquard pattern. The thread specification details the twist, color, structure, amount of fiber, supplier, and cost of the thread. specifications for the type of zipper, length, raw materials, and color fastness. The parameters for raw materials used in interfaces include GSM, shrinkage requirements, etc. Trim requirements are just as crucial as sample development.
Production and specification procedures for sewing:
The sewing specs, which contain specific details regarding the stitches, seams, and sequence of assembly for the product, are of utmost importance to the product producers. The merchandiser looks at the buyer’s selected stitch class, stitch length, seam class, and SPI and provides the information to the IE department to determine the operational breakdown and thread consumption prior to the garment. Additionally, the stitching and seams are shown in pictures that are either 2D or 3D, which may help to further clarify how the merchandiser, plant manager, and sewing operator communicate.
The sew specification may also include in-depth explanations or images of certain design elements on the product in addition to the fundamental stitch and seam details. For instance, blue jeans frequently have a design embroidered into the back pocket that is specific to the brand of jeans. A drawing of the stitching pattern, as well as a count of the stitches from corner to corner on the pocket or the embroidery on upscale jeans, may be included in the sew specification. Every pocket on every pair of jeans has a certain stitch length, color of thread, and other details.
Sizing information:
The buyer specifies the various sizes of the garment in tech pack. The buyer may not provide the tech-pack with the size-wise breakdown of the order. In addition to client gender, size range, and size categorization, size specifications also include these things.
Fit specifications:
Despite the fact that information regarding these two product qualities is integrated, size and fit specifications are still two totally independent features. Size refers to a uniform set of product measurements, whereas fit describes how the garment item fits the body. Fit refers to how the product feels to the user while wearing the garment and is frequently influenced by factors such as cultural pressures, fashion, and size classifications.
Fit specifications comprise text or images that show where a product should be worn on the body and how loose or tight it should be in relation to the body. The degree of ease, or the discrepancy between the body’s proportions and the dimensions of the clothing, will determine how well the item fits. The pattern components’ size or the fabric’s inherent elasticity may be the source of this ease. What one group of customers may find to be a close fit may be too loose for another sector of consumers to be happy with. The majority of buyers focus on circumference as the primary fit factor, although sleeve lengths, pant crotch location, leg lengths, and seam placement are all significant factors.
Point of measurement:
Point of measurement is a significant issue from the perspective of merchandisers. The majority of misunderstandings occur in this regard. When it comes to clothing quality, measurements must be checked; thus, the buyer recommends the point of measurement in the tech pack using either a visual or a coded format. The buyer provides directions that must be followed both throughout the sampling and manufacturing stages, such as using the flexible measuring tape and maintaining the garment flat on the table. Buyers won’t accept it if the merchandiser or quality personnel overlook something when taking measurements.
Placement information:
The positioning of graphics, embroidery, and appliqué is significant from the standpoint of merchandisers. All the information on the graphic design, size, typeface (if appropriate), color schemes, and placement details on the garment is provided by the tech-pack. Tech-pack offers the embroidery thread, color, SPI, font (if appropriate), design size, etc. If printing and embroidery are outsourced to sub-vendors, then the same information should be shared with sub-vendors so that error-free manufacturing is feasible. Merchandiser must offer instructions to its production personnel accordingly.
Final inspection requirements:
The final inspection specification guarantees that the product will be delivered to the client and packed in accordance with the terms of the contract. The location of hangtags, the product’s fold, bagging or hanging information, and product packaging are all included in the final inspection criteria for textile items. The size of the fabric roll, where it is placed within the delivery truck, and the kinds of inspection data that will be supplied with the fabric rolls might all be part of the final inspection specification for fabric for garment manufacturers.
Any information required concerning finishes that are applied to the product after it is stitched may also be included in the final inspection requirement. The final garment may undergo some “washes” like stone washing or acid stripping to create the appropriate streaks or seam shading that may be fashionable.
Conclusion
The most crucial component of the export marketing process is the tech-pack. Buyer provides a complete tech bundle; merchandiser is required to respond in kind. The tech-pack, which provides all the relevant details on the running technique. It is difficult to advance without tech-pack. If there is a question about the tech bundle, the customer should be informed very away.
The tech-pack should be carefully examined by the merchandiser to understand the requirements for sampling, production, construction, fit, and measurement. It is advised that the merchandiser comprehend the technical aspects of the tech-pack; any issues with the tech-pack should be clarified early in the ordering process.
