In the dynamic world of sportswear, the concept of a fashion tech pack emerges as a powerful tool to enhance creativity and performance with the inculcation of technology. It serves as the blueprint, the nucleus, and the guiding force behind the creation of every sports garment that graces the track, court, or race. In this blog, we delve into the intricate details of what a fashion tech pack entails, its significance in the activewear industry, and its role in shaping the future of sportswear innovation.
Definition of Tech Pack
The tech pack is a comprehensive document that encapsulates every vital detail related to a garment’s design, construction, materials, and specifications. It serves as a bridge between the creative vision of designers and the technical execution required for sampling and mass production. Picture it as the ultimate instruction manual that provides precise guidelines for manufacturers to bring a designer’s vision to life.
Elements of TechPack
The main elements of all kinds of Tech packs are as follows:
Design Details
At the core of a sportswear tech pack are the design specifications. This includes detailed CAD sketches, colour swatches with Pantone references, and detailed descriptions of the garment’s silhouette, style, and embellishments or special performance features.
Measurement Chart
Accuracy is an essential part of sportswear. The detailed measurement chart ensures consistency across all of the required sizes. Every measurement either of bust to waist or inseam to shoulder width, is keenly recorded to maintain uniformity in sizing. The tech pack needs to have a detailed size chart that is fully graded across all sizes. It includes measurements of every aspect of the garment. A typical tech pack would include around 15+ different measuring points.
Material and Trim Specifications
The right choice of performance fabric is the essence of technical activewear. The tech pack enumerates the materials required for the garment and athletes’ requirements. Indeed, sourcing the correct fabric from the right supplier is critical to delivering in terms of performance, fit, and function. It will hit the required target cost price. Most tech packs created by freelance sportswear designers do not include the specific fabric detail with the nominated supplier as they do not generally source fabrics and components. This makes the tech pack almost useless. We equate this to an architect specifying glass for the windows or wood for the front door and leaving the builder to choose. So you have to make sure to include suitable fabric knowledge and suppliers in Techpack. The same supplier nomination of trims, buttons, zippers, and other embellishments should also form part of the tech pack.
Construction Details
the tech pack should not leave any stone unturned in outlining the construction process. All things should be mentioned in it, from stitching techniques to seam allowances. This includes information on stitch types, seam finishes, and any special techniques required to achieve the desired outcome. Sportswear isn’t fashion. It is technical and needs to be performed. The construction of the garment should be aligned to fit and function.
Labelling and Packaging Instructions
Even the smallest details matter in Techpack for sportswear production and design. labeling and packaging instructions reflect the brand’s identity in the final product. This includes details on labels, tags, and packaging design. It maintains brand consistency from production to presentation. The materials of the labels and packaging are also important to reflect your brand’s values.
BOM(BIll of Material)
The bills of materials specify the factory where every ingredient of the sports garment is made from. The BOM would include the contact details of the fabrics and trim suppliers and the code and description of each item listed. All fabrics, trims, and branding should be specified with this information. One should ensure the quality approval and that the performance of the ingredients matches your brief. If your designer cannot provide suppliers and quality references for all of the fabrics, trims, and packaging, then we suggest you look for another designer, otherwise, your tech pack is only 50% complete.
Importance of Getting The Tech Pack Right.
Streamlining Production
Efficiency is key in the sportswear industry. Because It is driven by tight deadlines and fast paced trends and new technology. sportswear tech packs organize the production process by providing clear and concise instructions. It minimizes errors and reduces lead times. The samples you will receive from a factory contain a detailed and complete tech pack. The incomplete Techpack will cause delays and you will require more samples to get the finished result you desire. if you leave the factory to source and nominate the fabrics and trims, you have no guarantee the quality and performance will be right.
Quality Assurance
Consistency is the benchmark of quality. The fashion tech packs serve as a symbol for ensuring consistency in every aspect of garment production. From fit to performance, adherence to tech pack specifications guarantees a high-quality end product. You should be able to pass a tech pack to any factory that produces quality sportswear and end up with similar costs and samples.
Communication Tool
Sports fashion and activewear is a collaborative effort involving brand owners, designers, fabric mills, trim suppliers, and sportswear factories. Tech packs serve as a universal language, facilitating communication and ensuring that everyone involved is on the same page.
Cost Optimisation
By providing detailed specifications and eliminating guesswork, fashion tech packs help in optimizing costs. Manufacturers can accurately estimate material requirements, labor costs, and production timelines with low costs. Every ingredient of the garment should be nominated and provided to the factory so the ingredient elements such as fabrics, components, and trims are easily costed so the only cost to calculate would be the manufacturing element the factory would provide.
Sustainability Focus
With sustainability emerging as a central concern in the sportswear industry, tech packs now play a crucial role in promoting eco friendly practices. tech packs can facilitate the transition toward more sustainable and ethical fashion practices by specifying sustainable materials to optimize production processes.
The Future of Sportswear Innovation
As technology continues to revolutionize the fashion industry. The role of sportswear tech packs is poised to evolve further. Advancements such as 3D modeling, virtual prototyping, and AI driven design are already reshaping the way garments are conceptualized, developed, and produced. We now provide a 3D render option to our clients so they can visualize the garments better. These 3D sportswear designs are also useful for our clients to present their ranges to investors or buyers who might preorder before they even start to create the 1st prototypes with the factory. This also helps the factory work out the drape and fit and the factory is supplied with patterns they can use to produce the 1st prototype.
A tech pack is the step by step instructions of how you expect your product to be manufactured and locks in cost, quality, performance, sustainability, and consistency. Moreover, a sportswear tech pack is much more than a simple document. It is the lifeline of the activewear industry. It will guide the journey from concept to creation. As sportswear continues to evolve in the digital age, the importance of tech packs in driving innovation, and performance, ensuring quality, and fostering sustainability is increasing by day.