While in my final year at fashion school, I designed a product called a Jac Sac. I made the pattern and a couple of samples myself and had the brilliant idea to sell it to the public. After setting up a photoshoot with my friends, I cobbled together a Lookbook. Then I made calls to buyers and the press and set up some appointments. I received a lot of press coverage and orders were placed by some great shops, including Paul Smith, Duffer of St George and a couple of boutiques in Japan.<\/p>\n
Thinking back, this all sounds easy. I was certainly lucky to get as far as I did, but one of my great strengths was that I knew how to make a pattern and to sew. You see, producing an order of 30 identical items is very different from making a couple of samples. Admittedly, I created the Paul Smith order on my mum\u2019s domestic sewing machine, such was my determination!<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s not always possible to \u2018do-it-yourself,\u2019 particularly if you\u2019re a complete novice who wakes up one morning with a lightbulb moment, but no idea of where, how or what needs to be done to get this amazing idea off the ground.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll probably have to trust a manufacturer with your vision, but how can you accurately convey your ideas, guarantee you\u2019ll always be on the same page, and the samples or products you end up with will be exactly what you want? As a student designer, this was one essential skill that I didn\u2019t know anything about. I do now.<\/p>\n
Let me be your guide\u2026<\/p>\n
Simply put, a Fashion Tech Pack<\/em>\u00a0or Spec pack<\/em>, is an information package that, in the first instance, is sent out to factories to acquire pricing for making your samples.<\/p>\n Once you have selected your factory they will use the pack as a blueprint for your sample production<\/strong>, as it contains all the necessary components required to manufacture it.<\/p>\n With this essential tool to hand, and after your samples have been approved, you could move your production to any factory anywhere you want.<\/p>\n 1) Technical drawings:<\/strong>\u00a0A clean line drawing of the garment with a front and back view.<\/p>\n 2) Reference materials:<\/strong>\u00a0Magazine images referencing finishes and details that you would like on your products.<\/p>\n 3) Samples of special finishes and techniques<\/strong><\/p>\n 4) Packaging information:<\/strong>\u00a0How are the products to be packaged, i.e. in cellophane bags or boxes?<\/p>\n 5) A Pattern*:<\/strong>\u00a0A professional pattern of the garment with all relevant information included on it. The factory sometimes offers a pattern-making service, or you will have to source a pattern cutter.<\/p>\n 6) Sample Measurement Spec Sheet*:<\/strong>\u00a0This document is given to the factory if the pattern is to be made by them. Some factories will only use patterns made in-house. It must include the following:<\/p>\n 7) Comments:<\/b>\u00a0Notes taken while reviewing a sample for approval. These should be included in the Fashion Tech Pack. Remember to include the dates. This way you can easily track changes that you have made and can share them with the factory.<\/p>\n 8) Specification Sheet <\/strong>(commonly known as Spec<\/em>): This is given to the factory when a sample is required or an order needs to be placed. It must be reissued whenever amendments are made to the garment. It must include the following:<\/p>\n (* Denotes items which are very important when preparing a garment Tech Pack).<\/p>\n There are many benefits of a Spec Sheet, and in my experience, it pays to do this properly.<\/p>\n So, is the Fashion Tech Pack an absolute essential for successful communication and fashion design? Yes. Yes. YES!!!<\/p>\n You\u2019ll have credibility with manufacturers, and have a clear overview of what you\u2019re creating and how it\u2019s developing. There are far too many variables for you to keep track of.<\/p>\n Remember, all of this information is needed for EACH product that you create<\/strong>. It\u2019s obvious that you\u2019ll need to work carefully and methodically to put it all together in a style that works for you, and you may even need to call in a few favours. The resources below will guide you in your efforts.<\/p>\n If you’re confused between a Fashion Tech pack and Specification sheet then just know that Spec sheet forms a part of Tech Pack. For a better understanding, read here<\/a>.<\/p>\n DOWNLOAD FREE INFOGRAPHIC: 7 Top Tips for a Comprehensive Fashion Tech Pack<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The manufacturing side of the fashion industry can be a minefield to the novice designer. With so much information required in a Fashion Tech Pack, it\u2019s probably a good idea to make tech your friend and embrace it wholeheartedly.<\/p>\n In the first instance ensure that your data systems are up to date. In the past, it was difficult to find factories easily.<\/p>\n While there are now plenty of choices, it\u2019s important to select responsible manufacturers that are right for your product and business.<\/p>\n Good ethics and working conditions, with a commitment to the environment and human rights, are so important.<\/p>\n While not all factories can meet all requirements and have the paper to prove it, it is worth enquiring and checking on their compliance. This way there won’t be any surprises at a later date.<\/p>\n Entrepreneurs in fashion push the global fashion industry forward through new business models and product innovation.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, finding manufacturers to accommodate smaller production runs is a challenge faced by many.<\/p>\n Research the best places to source production of your particular requirements, and always be on the lookout for new sources.<\/p>\n When you find great suppliers, let them know you appreciate them! Make them part of your business and regularly update them about your plans.<\/p>\n By using Excel to create your Spec Sheets, you can record information relating to the style, such as grading, measurements, fabric, trims and fit comments.\u00a0\u00a0There are also plenty of downloadable templates available on the internet.<\/p>\n Drawings can be created in Adobe Illustrator. Or if drawing flats is a little too technical, find someone to help you on freelance platforms like PeoplePerHour<\/a>.<\/p>\n Take photographs of relevant changes to samples, at fit meetings, and upload to your computer. Include them in your documents and annotate. Dropbox<\/a> is wonderful for sharing and keeping larger files with manufacturers.<\/p>\n I can imagine how frustrating it would be communicating with overseas factories, but it\u2019s unnecessary to employ a linguist when Google translator is available.<\/p>\nFeatures of a Tech Pack<\/h3>\n
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What will you need to create a Tech Pack?<\/h3>\n
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What are the benefits of Spec Sheet?<\/h4>\n
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Tech Pack Resources<\/h3>\n
Factories<\/h4>\n
Suppliers<\/h4>\n
Creative suites<\/h4>\n
Cashflow<\/h4>\n