Tech Packs 101: Avoid These Common Mistakes to Perfect Your Fashion Design Process
Turning your fashion vision into reality starts with one essential tool: the tech pack. Whether you’re a new designer or a seasoned pro, a well-crafted tech pack ensures your manufacturer brings your collection to life, exactly as you imagined.
A tech pack (technical package) is your design’s roadmap, detailing measurements, materials, construction, and more. But here’s the catch: even small errors can lead to production delays, skyrocketing costs, or garments that miss the mark. At Pham Fashion House, we’ve seen brilliant ideas stumble over avoidable tech pack pitfalls.
Ready to nail your next tech pack? Here are the most common mistakes designers make and how to fix them fast.
1. Skipping or Skimping on Measurements
A stunning sketch won’t cut it without precise measurements for every size. Missing or vague specs can result in poorly fitting samples, wasted time, and expensive revisions.
Fix It: Include a detailed measurement chart with a base size and graded sizes (if applicable). Label standard points like chest, waist, and inseam clearly on your flat sketches.
2. Confusing Sketches and Callouts
Mismatched sketches or missing annotations can leave manufacturers guessing. If your visuals aren’t crystal clear, expect sampling chaos.
Fix It: Stick to one master sketch per design. Add labeled callouts for every detail—pockets, zippers, pleats, stitching—to eliminate confusion.
3. Vague Fabric and Trim Details
“Cotton” doesn’t tell the full story. Without specifics on fabric type, weight, and trims, you risk inconsistent results that stray from your vision.
Fix It: Specify everything, e.g., “100% cotton poplin, 120 GSM,” and include swatches, supplier details, or certifications like OEKO-TEX for clarity.
A well-designed tech pack is crucial to a brand's success in collaborating with garment factories.
4. Ignoring Construction Details
Unspecified seams or stitching can lead to assumptions that clash with your design intent or budget. Don’t leave it up to chance.
Fix It: Detail seam allowances, topstitching types, interfacing, and other construction notes. Precision here saves headaches later.
5. Missing a Bill of Materials (BOM)
No BOM? Expect sourcing delays and inaccurate quotes. A Bill of Materials lists every component—fabrics, buttons, zippers, thread—needed for your garment.
Fix It: Include item names, colors, materials, suppliers, and per-unit quantities. It’s your key to seamless costing and production.
6. Overlooking Labeling and Packaging
Branding is your signature. Don’t let it slip through the cracks. Forgetting label placement or packaging specs can derail timelines and add costs.
Fix It: Add diagrams for label positions, hang tags, and packaging (e.g., polybags, folding instructions) to keep your brand on point.
Pro Tip: Double-Check Before Hitting Send
A quick review can catch inconsistencies, unclear measurements, or missing details. Skip this, and you’re rolling the dice on production hiccups.
Fix It: Use a pre-production checklist to confirm your tech pack is airtight—every page, every spec—before it reaches the factory.
Why a Perfect Tech Pack Matters
Your tech pack isn’t just paperwork. It’s the lifeline between your creative spark and a flawless final product. Nail it, and you’ll dodge delays, cut costs, and bring your designs to market faster.
At Pham Fashion House, we partner with designers who value precision. Based in New York City, we specialize in connecting brands from all over the world with ethical, efficient, high-quality garment production in Vietnam. Let’s turn your tech pack into something extraordinary.
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