Apr 24, 2024

How to Leverage Your Tech Pack to Streamline Production and Sourcing Decisions

Tech pack is a potent tool when it comes to apparel production. A well-crafted tech pack can streamline production and sourcing decisions effectively. This can be made if you hire a fashion tech pack designer with ground-level experience in the fashion industry. The garment industry is complex, with the apparel production process involving many intricate steps. So, proper production planning is necessary to execute production effectively. Tech pack streamlines your production from design, sourcing, and processing. Let's examine how a tech pack helps streamline the apparel production process.



Informed Decision Making Through Fashion Tech Pack

A well-structured tech pack illustrates each section distinctly yet integrates them into one package. This helps each and every department in the apparel industry understand their role and act accordingly. For example, estimate material costs using the Bill of Materials (BOM) in your tech pack. This enables comparing material options to choose budget-friendly, quality-meeting materials. The manufacturing unit also makes an informed decision when identifying and selecting suppliers. Factors like fabric weight, drape, and durability are essential to get a garment's right fit and look. With detailed specifications in the tech pack, you can choose a fabric with its required properties. So, the tech pack helps you select materials suitable for the garment's intended use. And finally, it allows the garment to look and perform well.

Production Planning and Efficiency

A comprehensive tech pack ensures clear communication with your manufacturer. For example, precise specifications on construction techniques, seam types, and stitching details are needed. Manufacturers spend the maximum amount of time finding the right direction for those. A comprehensive tech pack presents details clearly. This minimizes the risk of errors or misunderstandings during production. Also, complex construction details in the tech pack can impact production timelines. Analyzing these details in the tech pack provides a more straightforward estimate of the timeframe for garment production. Sample development reveals how a garment design looks physically in its actual shape. Resolving fit, construction, or material issues allows adjustments before production. Early sample evaluation can reveal design and construction loopholes. This makes the production planning more efficient and effective.

Standardization and Scalability

Tech pack ensures consistency and standardization in all the processes. This helps in achieving quality across the production batches. Also, it reduces the risk of error and ensures the final product meets the design intent. As you have done the standardization, scalability is no longer a problem. Clear instructions on material specifications and processes enable manufacturers to scale production without compromising quality. You can use the tech pack for future iterations. Also, you can use the tech pack for new styles based on the same pattern and product specifications. This saves time and streamlines the development process for future collections.

So, tech packs are a tool that standardizes the process and makes it flexible for any production scale. Buyers and designers can make informed decisions about sourcing and production planning. This results in a smoother production process, lower costs, and a higher-quality product.

Dec 6, 2023

13 Essential Tricks to Build and Grow Your Clothing Brand

As a fashion tech pack services for designers and brands, we maintain strong connections with the brands we collaborate with. We actively exchange experiences, providing valuable technical and market insights to foster the growth of our clients. In this blog post, we aim to share some valuable experiences our clients have graciously shared with us throughout our partnership. This post caters explicitly to individuals aspiring to launch their apparel brand, serving as a useful resource for starting and effectively managing such a venture.

Fashion Brandi Building

1. Strategic Launch: Maximizing Profits with a Modest Batch and Quality Control Measures

If operating on a limited budget, consider starting with just one t-shirt featuring a compelling print. Instead of a large quantity, begin with a modest batch of 100 pieces in two color options. This initial investment will be $1000 TO $1500, translating to a cost of $10 per tee, which is quite affordable. You can ensure a reasonable profit margin by pricing each t-shirt between $25 to $30 per piece. This is a standard calculation employed in various business ventures. Maintaining a smaller stock can minimize delivery times and enhance quality control measures.

2. Captivating Visuals: Exploring Cost-Effective Alternatives for Product Showcase Photography

To effectively showcase your products, conducting a photo shoot with models can be a highly beneficial approach, mainly when selling through e-commerce platforms. However, it is not an obligatory requirement to use models. Numerous successful brands choose not to utilize models and still achieve impressive sales. A product-focused photo shoot can be a cost-effective alternative if you are operating on a tight budget. By doing so, you can save a significant amount of money that can be allocated towards building up your inventory.

3. Targeted Social Media Strategy: Leveraging Platform Intentions for Effective Brand Engagement

While numerous social media platforms are available, few are genuinely effective. It is crucial to comprehend the intentions of individuals when they visit these platforms. For instance, when someone visits Facebook, their primary goal is often to pass the time rather than actively seeking products or information. Conversely, if someone trips Reedit, they are likely searching for answers or sourcing specific information. Choosing the social media platform that aligns best with your product and target audience is essential. Even if you receive a relatively low number of views, converting even one viewer into a customer can be considered a positive outcome. Quality over quantity remains critical in such scenarios.

4. Product Excellence: Prioritizing Quality and Craftsmanship for Lasting Brand Impressions

When launching your brand, it is crucial to prioritize your end products over branding and packaging. While impressive branding and packaging May initially capture attention, they are often discarded shortly after. Instead, focus on creating exceptional products like t-shirts or hoodies that leave a lasting impression on your customers. By providing high-quality items, customers will be reminded of your brand each time they wear them. Therefore, invest in superior product quality and let your customers become ambassadors who speak highly of your brand. To achieve this, it is crucial to have well-crafted designs and accurate tech packs for production. Opt for custom design and production processes to ensure uniqueness. Additionally, having a skilled tech pack designer to offer guidance is always advantageous.

5. The Power of Collaboration: Leveraging Business Partnerships for Enhanced Productivity and Success

Starting a business requires more effort than one person can handle alone. That's why having a reliable business partner or a helping hand is invaluable, particularly if they possess insights into the garment development life cycle. Collaborating with a business partner is an intelligent decision as it allows you to leverage each other's strengths and compensate for weaknesses. By dividing responsibilities, you can efficiently manage various aspects of the business. For instance, if you excel in marketing, your partner can focus on design and operations, creating a well-rounded team. The comfort level with this arrangement depends on your personality and working style, but having a partner to share the workload can significantly enhance productivity and outcomes.

6. Harnessing the Power of Feedback: Improving Design Success through Collaboration and Insight

Creative design is inherently unpredictable. Determining how well a design will resonate with your audience is difficult. Sometimes, designs you anticipate succeeding may fall short, while others you underestimate can perform exceptionally well. However, customers will still be drawn to your products if they have impeccable fit and quality. To increase the chances of a successful design, seeking the opinions of others can be beneficial. Consult a small group of trusted friends or consider posting on Reddit to gather feedback. It's essential not to take feedback personally and understand that you seek input to improve your brand. Critical or seemingly offensive feedback can provide valuable insights and contribute to your growth.

7. Rising Above the Crowd: Prioritizing Quality and Design Excellence in the Streetwear Market

The streetwear market is saturated with numerous brands, and everyone in the USA wants to start their own streetwear brand. However, it's important to note that only a tiny percentage of these brands prioritize quality. Many startup brands neglect proper product development, resulting in subpar design aesthetics and frequent fit complaints. They are hesitant to invest in design and fits yet expect exceptional results. Consequently, they often fall short of achieving success. Despite the market saturation, building a successful and profitable streetwear brand is still possible. It's essential not to get discouraged by the competition and challenges. By prioritizing quality, investing in design excellence, and delivering exceptional fits, you can create a brand thriving in this competitive industry.

8. Logo T-Shirts: Enhancing Marketability with Eye-Catching Designs

As a small brand, logo t-shirts tend to resonate well with customers. The size and attractiveness of the logo play a crucial role. Customers are drawn to logos with appealing colors that look visually pleasing, increasing the likelihood of making a sale. If you're a new brand planning to sell logo t-shirts, choosing high-quality blanks in attractive colors that complement your logo is essential. However, if you launch with text-only logo items, it may be challenging to generate significant sales as they may need to capture the same level of attention. Therefore, it is advisable to prioritize incorporating a visually appealing logo into your merchandise to enhance its marketability.

9. Quality over Quantity: Choosing Authentic Influencers for Effective Brand Collaborations

Influencers can indeed play a significant role in brand promotion, but it is crucial to collaborate with the right influencers. Having a large follower count does not guarantee effectiveness. For instance, individuals with 50,000 followers may receive minimal engagement, such as only 50 likes on their posts, indicating a lack of interest from their audience. In contrast, an influencer with 10,000 followers who consistently receives over 500 comments per post demonstrates a higher level of engagement. This suggests that people take the posts of such influencers more seriously. When evaluating potential influencers, examining the quality of their engagement is essential. Note who likes and comments on their posts and assess whether these accounts are legitimate. Fake followers and likes can devalue your brand, as people can often distinguish between genuine and artificial engagement. Therefore, it is crucial to partner with influencers with an authentic and engaged audience to maximize the impact of your brand collaborations.

10. Creating a Thriving Brand Community: Cultivating Local Connections and Engagement

Building your brand's presence and community should commence well before you start designing your products. Establishing a supportive network of people who will back you from the moment you begin selling is essential. To achieve this, focus on creating a local community or group. Relying solely on digital marketing or website sales may limit your reach, as people are more likely to visit your website if they are familiar with you or have a connection to your brand. Building a local buzz can be accomplished through one-on-one public relations efforts, such as engaging in personal interactions and conversations. Additionally, consider implementing guerrilla marketing campaigns and collaborating with local influencers to generate more visibility. Participating in local street markets can also be beneficial, especially for clothing items like t-shirts and pullovers. Starting a blog where you can gather customer feedback and share recommendations can effectively build engagement and rapport with your audience. By leveraging these strategies, you can build a strong brand community and benefit from valuable customer feedback and recommendations.

11. Forging Lucrative Partnerships: Securing Rack Space in Local Stores

A traditional yet practical marketing approach that remains relevant is connecting with local stores and securing rack space for your products. This involves contacting these stores and convincing them to carry your merchandise. Typically, this arrangement entails sharing your profits with the store as compensation. In the initial stages, you may need to offer your collection on a consignment basis, meaning the store only pays for the products once they are sold. Negotiating with local stores successfully relies on your marketing skills and ability to showcase the value and appeal of your brand. By effectively conveying the uniqueness and marketability of your products, you can establish mutually beneficial partnerships with local stores, expanding your reach and gaining exposure within your target market.

12. Building an Authentic Brand-cause Partnership for Sustainable Impact

Attaching your brand to a cause, even if it involves donating a small percentage of your profits, can significantly boost your sales. This practice creates an emotional connection with customers who care about positively impacting the world. However, it is crucial to genuinely align yourself with a cause because you believe in it rather than solely for brand marketing purposes. Authenticity is critical in building trust and loyalty with your customers. By genuinely getting involved with a cause, you contribute to a meaningful network and provide an opportunity for your brand to gain visibility and recognition. Conversely, if your connection to a cause is purely driven by marketing motives, it can negatively affect your brand's reputation. It's essential to prioritize sincerity and a genuine desire to make a difference, as this will resonate with customers and establish a positive brand image.

13. Breaking Down Your Goals and Navigating the Design Process

Before starting your brand, it's essential to understand the requirements and steps involved. Begin by breaking down your overall goal into smaller, manageable sub-goals, tackling them one at a time. Learning to transform your style ideas into tangible designs is a good starting point. By following the guidance in various blog posts, you can gradually navigate the process. If you intend to start with generic styles, the Tech Pack Template Store offers pre-designed templates that can assist you in creating your tech packs. With your graphics or artwork and the tech packs from this store, you'll be prepared to approach a manufacturer and move forward with production. Remember to approach each step methodically, building upon your progress as you work towards establishing your brand.

Feb 18, 2023

Steps in Tech Pack Design Followed in Garment Industry

Clothing designers and brands may wonder why they need a tech pack and spec sheet, but these tools are crucial for successful clothing manufacturing. In this post, we'll provide a clear overview of the steps involved in designing a clothing tech pack, which is essential for tech pack designers and brands. A fashion tech pack serves many purposes for an apparel brand, helping them save money in producing their clothing line. Additionally, it acts as a de facto contract between the client and the clothing manufacturer throughout the apparel production process.

At its core, a tech pack clearly communicates a particular garment's design and style requirements. It provides instructions for the clothing manufacturer to follow throughout production, including everything from pattern design to finishing. Because each process step is essential and requires proper instruction, the tech pack designer must clarify their instructions, directly affecting sample development and production. Each tech pack is unique and tailored to the garment's style and design requirements. In the following points, we'll outline how to create a tech pack and spec sheet for garments to ensure that all critical details are included.


Tech Pack Design Steps

1. Fashion Flats: A Fashion Flat, also known as a Flat Sketch, is a front and back view of a garment that showcases every detail. It is the foundation for the tech pack design, so the designer must include all necessary information. The designer and the client should cross-check the Fashion Flat throughout the design process to ensure that all details are accurately represented.

2. Color Options and Pantone Code: Garment styles are incomplete without color options. Clients often request color variations for each style they design, allowing the brand to offer variety to its customers. Therefore, the tech pack designer should provide 2-3 color options for each style to ensure that the final product meets the client's expectations and offers flexibility for the brand.

3. Fabric Details: Fabric details are critical to any garment tech pack. This information includes the fabric's yarn count, weight, GSM, and composition and is essential for the garment manufacturer to estimate fabric consumption during production. The fabric details also determine the optimal quantity required at a particular price rate, which can impact the overall cost of production. Therefore, the tech pack designer should ensure that all fabric details are accurately included in the tech pack to avoid any issues during the production process.

4. Stitching and Construction Details: Stitching and construction details in a tech pack guide how a clothing manufacturer should stitch and construct the garment. The details show the step-by-step process of assembling the garment, and a tech pack designer with factory experience can provide the necessary expertise to ensure that these details are accurately conveyed. Therefore, including stitching and construction details in the tech pack is crucial to ensure the garment is produced correctly and meets the client's expectations.

5. Graphic and Print Details: Graphics and prints are essential to garment embellishment, and any garment style is complete with them. When incorporating prints and graphics, the placement and technique of the design are crucial to achieving the desired look. The tech pack designer must provide clear instructions for the print's color, size, and placement in the garment. Therefore, including these details in the tech pack is critical to ensure that the final product accurately represents the client's vision. A separate post will be dedicated to further discussing print and graphic details.

6. Graphic/Print Placement Details: Print design is a crucial aspect of tech pack design, but more is needed to create a design. Decisions on the placement of the print, such as whether it will be printed on a garment or a panel, are essential and should be made with the guidance of a technical designer. It's important to remember that even a good print can look like a disaster if placed in the wrong location on the garment. Therefore, the tech pack should include detailed measurements and the exact position of the print from a specific point to ensure that it's accurately executed during production.

7. Embroidery Details: Embroidery has become a popular trend in high-end fashion, and any garment style that features an embroidery design requires detailed instructions. The tech pack should include information on the type of embroidery, the number of stitches needed, the color of the thread, and other relevant details. The number of stitches required for a particular embroidery design is a crucial factor to consider. There are several embroidery techniques, such as puff embroidery, stiffly, and plain lock stitch, and the tech pack designer needs to specify the type of embroidery to be used in the design. Including these details in the tech pack ensures the embroidery is executed correctly during production.

8. Trims Detail: In addition to fabric, garments require other materials such as trims, including buttons, zippers, clip hooks, and more. Each garment style requires different trims, so providing complete details for sourcing and usage is essential. The technical designer must mention the trim details and specifications in the tech pack. For example, the tech pack should specify the button size for a shirt, and the zipper length should be mentioned for the bottom. Including these details in the design is crucial to ensure that the garment is constructed accurately and the style is executed as intended.

9. Branding Details: Every style a technical designer creates is typically for a brand, which should reflect specific branding details. Labels, hang tags, loop labels, and size labels are all part of a brand's identity. While these details may not be part of the tech pack design, it is essential to specify where to attach or stitch them in the tech pack. The most crucial branding trim is the care label, which provides instructions on handling the garment. Including these branding details in the tech pack ensures that the final product aligns with the brand's identity and guidelines.

10. Washing Details: Every garment needs specific processing besides stitching. For example, some garments need to be washed to reduce shrinkage, enhance the shine, and soften the fabric, which can improve the overall look and feel of the garment. Therefore, washing instructions are essential for sample development and mass production. The tech pack designer should clearly mention the washing instructions for each garment in the tech pack to ensure that the garment is processed correctly.

11. Measurement Details and Size Chart: The measurement spec sheet includes all the critical measurements of the garment, such as the chest, waist, hip, sleeve length, and inseam, along with the tolerance range for each measurement. The size chart and grading rules are also essential to ensure the garment fits appropriately across all sizes. The tech pack designer must work closely with the pattern maker to ensure that the spec sheet is accurate and that the size chart and grading rules are appropriate for the target market.

12. Measurement Guideline: The measurement guideline is an essential part of the measurement spec sheet, as it provides clear instructions on how to take the measurements. It typically includes illustrations and descriptions of where to start and end the measurements and how to position the measuring tape. This helps to ensure that the measurements are consistent and accurate, which is crucial for achieving the desired fit of the garment.

13. Bills of Materials ( BOM ): A Bill of Materials (BOM) is a crucial document in the production process, as it lists all the materials and components required to make a garment. A Bill of Materials is an essential source of information used for production cost estimation. This includes the fabric, trims, hardware, labels, thread, and packaging materials. The production team uses the BOM to estimate the garment's cost and ensure that all the necessary materials are ordered and on hand before production begins. It is also used to keep track of inventory levels and provide sufficient critical components. Preparing an accurate BOM is an essential part of the tech pack design process and requires careful attention to detail and thorough knowledge of the garment's construction and materials.

Urban Purple offers comprehensive services for fashion brands, including design, sampling, production, and shipping. This can be valuable for brands looking for an end-to-end supply chain solution. Additionally, the Tech Pack Template Store can be a helpful resource for brands needing design spec sheet templates. Having a one-stop shop for all these services and resources can be a time-saving and cost-effective option for fashion brands.

The Importance of Fabric Details in Fashion Tech Pack Design

The Importance of Fabric Details in Apparel Tech Packs


Fabric is a crucial element of any apparel style, and the fabric details included in a tech pack are essential. With accurate fabric details, moving forward with the production process is possible. Therefore, the tech pack designer must provide a detailed description of the fabric in the tech pack, including color, blend, composition, yarn count, and wash care instructions. Similarly, brands need to explain in detail the type of garments they require, providing the designer with a clear idea of the appropriate fabric for the desired styles. Effective coordination between the designer and the client is critical during the design phase, enabling the tech pack designer to provide an appropriate fabric description that best suits the style.

Essential Aspects of Fabric Description in Apparel Tech Packs


When creating a tech pack, the fabric description should include four essential aspects: composition, blend, texture, and color. While discussing fabrics in detail is beyond the scope of this discussion, it is crucial to note that fabric characteristics vary and require detailed research. It is also critical to be aware of testing characteristics when selecting fabrics. To ensure high-quality garments, it is crucial to conduct thorough testing on fabrics, including but not limited to colorfastness, shrinkage, and pilling. Manufacturers can produce garments that meet the desired specifications and quality standards by providing detailed fabric descriptions and testing results in a tech pack.

  • GSM testing is essential for fabric evaluation, particularly for knitwear fabrics. GSM, or Grams Per Square Meter, reflects the weight and thickness of the fabric. To calculate the GSM of a fabric, a circular piece is cut to an even size of 11.2 cm and weighed. The weight of the fabric is then used to determine the GSM. This measurement is vital in determining the appropriate use of fabric in a particular garment and ensuring consistency across multiple batches of fabric.
  • Yarn Count is an essential aspect of fabric testing, and it refers to the thickness of the yarn used in the fabric. It is calculated by its mass per unit length, and its unit of measurement is "tex." Yarn manufactured by the compact spinning system is known for its better smoothness, higher luster, and improved abrasion resistance compared to classical yarn. It has 40-50% better abrasion resistance, 20-30% lower hairiness as measured with the Uster apparatus, 60% lower hairiness as measured with the Zweigle apparatus, 8-15% higher tenacity and elongation at break, and more minor mass irregularity. Understanding yarn count is crucial in determining the quality and characteristics of the fabric and can help in selecting the appropriate yarn for a particular garment style.
  • Fabric Composition: Fabric composition refers to the materials used to create the fabric, which can include a single type of fiber, such as 100% cotton or 100% polyester, or a blend of different fibers, such as a cotton/polyester blend. The composition of the fabric can affect its properties, such as its durability, texture, and breathability, and it is essential to specify the composition in the tech pack to ensure that the correct materials are used in production.
  • Color: Pantone is a color-matching system used in the fashion and design industry to ensure consistency and accuracy of colors across different materials, products, and processes. Designers and manufacturers use Pantone colors to specify and communicate the exact shade of a color they want to use in their designs. Pantone provides a wide range of color shades and swatches, and their color codes are recognized globally as a standard for color communication. Using Pantone colors in your tech pack ensures that your fabric and garment colors are consistent and accurate throughout the production process.

At Urban Purple, we provide comprehensive services to help you build and grow your apparel brand. Our services cover the entire spectrum of brand development, from clothing design to shipping and marketing. We can help you with apparel design, tech pack design, sample development, and apparel production.

Tech Pack Design - Fashion Studio Urban Purple

A Tech Pack Designer is crucial to building a successful apparel brand, yet many new brands must pay attention to this point. Don't try to do everything alone when starting your clothing line and wondering where to begin. Business is a team game; you need a team to execute the operation. You'll need a technical clothing designer, coordinators, and an apparel production house to bring your line sheet to life. Everyone should work together to help build your brand's merchandise. You must ensure that all segments are in sync and properly coordinated. Finding an integrated unit offering all these services can add even more value to your business. Look for a unit with integrated apparel design, tech pack design, and garment manufacturing facilities.



Benefits of an Integrated Clothing Design Studio and Manufacturer


Sourcing an integrated clothing design studio and the manufacturer is always the preferred option, particularly if you're a sourcing clothing designer and garment manufacturer. With integrated services, you can get the support you need to design and produce your brand's merchandise. Unfortunately, very few fashion studios and garment units offer an end-to-end solution. One of the rare ones is Fashion Studio Urban Purple, where we assist customers with apparel design, tech pack design, sample development, and manufacturing. Our integrated fashion unit supports you from concept to customer, helping new brands make the most of their limited investment. When you can get everything in one place, achieving your goals is more accessible.

The Importance of Tech Pack Designs in Garment Manufacturing


At Urban Purple, we help you convert your ideas into factory-ready tech pack designs. Our tech pack designers can turn your raw sketches into structured specifications. You can rest assured that the tech pack designs we create will be easily understood by factories, resulting in better production outcomes. Tech packs play an essential role in the sample development process and the production of garments with perfection. By specifying instructions that clothing manufacturers follow to achieve the desired outcome, tech packs reduce the time and effort needed to produce garments on a mass scale while keeping costs low. Our tech pack designs include complete garment detailing and a graded measurement spec sheet, which helps garment units execute the production process in a structured way. This results in the development of correct patterns and samples with minimal effort and helps in the mass production of garments, further reducing costs.


Preparing for Tech Pack Design and Clothing Manufacturing


Building an apparel brand is a team effort, requiring the active participation of technical designers and manufacturers in every aspect of brand development. To succeed, you must communicate your ideas effectively and involve your team in every garment development and manufacturing step. We need a detailed explanation of your ideas and some sketches or images to get started. However, some essential preparation is necessary before you can receive support on tech pack design and clothing manufacturing. Here are some tips to help you understand the steps before hiring a tech pack designer.

  • · Your ideas and sketches/inspiration images
  • · Your Brand Logo
  • · Base Measurement of any of your competitors or Brands that best fits your segment.

We invite you to explore our Tech Pack Template Store, where you can find a diverse selection of pre-examined and tested fashion tech packs. Our complete tech packs include detailed measurement specifications and size gradations from XS to XXL and have undergone thorough testing by both our clients and our internal team. By using our reliable and high-quality tech packs, you can ensure the accuracy and production readiness of your designs while saving valuable time and resources. Visit our store today to browse our wide selection of tech packs and find the one that best suits your needs.