Tech pack or Technical Package is a detailed blueprint describing a product’s design so it can be manufactured accurately to achieve the look desired by the designer. A Tech pack is typically a document created by designers, technical designers, and product developers. It includes design sketches, measurements and specs, colorways, bill of materials, material images, packing instructions, care instructions, construction details, and much more.

Techpack is a dynamic document that needs to be updated after every product change. Designers and product developers need to continuously work on the tech pack to provide accurate details of a product to the manufacturer. By using a detailed Tech pack, both the designer and the manufacturer are on the same page

What does a typical tech pack include?

Product Summary – This includes a design cover image (typically a flat sketch). Also, a product code, name, description, color, date of creation, last modification date, season, material description, supplier, selling price, country of origin, and product life cycle stage.

Tech Pack Example

 

Technical Drawing– Technical drawings specifies product details from different angles – front, back, side and inside. This technical drawing helps the manufacturer visualize the product sample and make it as close as possible. These are commonly created in Adobe Illustrator.

 

 

Stiching instruction – Sticking instruction specifics what machines are required to sew the garment in production

 

Printing/Label instruction

 

 

Bill of Material – Bill of Material (BOM) is the list of all components required to create the final product along with their quantity, size, price, and supplier. Items included are fabrics, care labels, buttons, zippers, hangers and packaging materials etc.

 

 

Measurements/spec sheet/Size chart – This includes measurements (point of measures) across all sizes of the product along with any tolerances.

 

Why do you need a tech pack?

Some common questions asked by fashion brands are “How do you efficiently collaborate with manufacturers” and “How can you reduce the number of samples.” A simple answer to these questions is tech packs.

Why is a tech pack important?

1. Reduces errors – A good tech pack contains all the information about a product. In other words, a tech pack is a comprehensive explanation of the expectations a designer has from the manufacturer. It clearly communicates all the product details, which decreases the chance of mistakes.

2. Avoids Delays – When details are clear in a tech pack, it enables the factory to plan manpower, resources and block production capacity. This avoids delays in launching new products to market.

3. Controls Quality – Whenever product samples are ready, a tech pack can be used as a reference to check quality. For example, if a product deviates from any measurement out of the level of tolerance, the tech pack acts as a tool to highlight the difference as well as explain to the manufacturer what revisions to make.

4. Saves Time – With tech packs, the manufacturer can make your product accurately the first time around. This saves time involved in re-work, re-approvals and production. Moreover, once the tech pack is ready, it can be used again for future collections by making minor changes.

5. Improves Collaboration – Techpack enhances collaboration and removes information gaps. As all changes and comments are in the tech pack, both designer and manufacturer are always on the same page. This is especially important if the manufacturer is in a different time zone and speaks a different language.

6. Decreases Cost – Firstly, brands can send a tech pack to multiple manufacturers and receive product quotes to compare and negotiate prices, quantities, terms. Secondly, a detailed tech pack reduces revisions, therefore reducing the overall product development cost and time.

7. Accurate Quotations  – A tech pack with a detailed breakdown of the product enables the manufacturer to quote product costs accurately. If required, the manufacturer can also provide a detailed cost breakdown by component (materials, trims, packaging, labor etc).