Demystifying Tech Packs: The Key Difference Between Grade Rules and Graded Measurements
- Rachel Erickson
- May 11, 2024
- 2 min read
If tech packs and garment sizing feel overwhelming, you're not alone. Two terms often confuse even experienced designers: grade rules and graded measurements. While they sound similar, each plays a distinct and essential role in your production process—and understanding the difference can make or break your sizing consistency.
Let’s break it down.
What Are Grade Rules?
Grade rules are your roadmap for sizing adjustments. They define the incremental changes that happen to your base sample when it’s scaled into additional sizes.
For example:
If your medium is your base size, your large might increase by 2” across the chest.
Your small would decrease by the same amount.
Grade rules outline this kind of logic and are a key part of your tech pack. When documented clearly, they guide your factory in adjusting the base pattern correctly for each size—ensuring consistent, proportional fit across your range.
What Are Graded Measurements?
While grade rules describe how a garment’s size changes, graded measurements show the actual final measurements of each finished size.
Example:
Chest measurement for Small = 36"
Medium = 38"
Large = 40"
These measurements are what the customer will experience when they wear the garment—and they’re what your factory will use to verify sizing during production and quality control.
Why You Need Both in Your Tech Pack
A strong tech pack includes both grade rules and graded measurements to create a complete, reliable roadmap for your manufacturer. Here’s why:
Factory Clarity: Clear documentation reduces back-and-forth questions and prevents sizing missteps.
Sizing Consistency: Grade rules ensure your sizing remains consistent across styles and seasons—even when you switch factories or scale production.
Smoother Production: Accurate sizing details lead to fewer revisions, faster approvals, and fewer headaches during sampling.
Final Takeaway
Think of grade rules as the formula and graded measurements as the result. When you include both in your tech pack, you're empowering your manufacturer to deliver exactly what you envision—at scale and with precision.
Ready to Put This Into Action?
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