Tech Packs: The Contract Every Fashion Brand Should Have

If you’re building an apparel brand, chances are you’ve heard people talk about “tech packs.” But what exactly are they—and why are they so important?

A tech pack (short for “technical packet”) is a detailed blueprint for your garment. It includes every specification your manufacturer needs—fabric, trims, construction details, measurements, tolerances, and more. Think of it as your official contract with the factory: a document that protects your brand by making your product requirements crystal clear.

Without one, you’re opening the door to costly mistakes, inconsistent quality, and zero accountability.

What Happens Without a Tech Pack?

When you skip creating a formal tech pack, you’re essentially relying on verbal agreements and assumptions. That’s risky for any business, especially small brands and startups.

Without a tech pack:

• Factories aren’t accountable. If they deliver garments with incorrect trims, sloppy construction, or poor fit, you have no documented standard to reference.

• You can’t enforce corrections or discounts. Without clear specs, it’s nearly impossible to request refunds or insist that errors be fixed at the factory’s expense.

• Your costs skyrocket when switching factories. Moving production to a new vendor? Without a tech pack, you’re starting from scratch—leading to delays and inflated costs as you rush to get things right.

A Real-World Example

Unmarked Street worked with a brand that was thriving in sales and marketing—but struggling behind the scenes. They’d started production with a factory in Mexico but, after two years, needed to move manufacturing to Vietnam.

The problem? They had no official tech packs for their styles.

Without documented specs, setting up production took longer than it should have, and their costs increased as they prioritized speed over price.

When we stepped in and built professional tech packs—including accurate bills of materials and measurement standards—the difference was night and day. The factory had a clear guide to follow, the brand was able to renegotiate costs, and their garment quality and consistency improved significantly.

Why a Professional Tech Pack Is Worth the Investment

Yes, hiring a professional technical designer to create a tech pack can feel expensive—especially if you’re watching your budget closely. But think of it like hiring a legal team: it’s about protection, professionalism, and long-term savings.

A tech pack can:

• Save you money by reducing costly errors and delays.

• Protect your brand when factories fail to meet your standards.

• Improve quality and consistency, ensuring your garments fit and function as intended.

For small brands, avoiding just one major production issue can more than cover the cost of a professionally built tech pack.

Get Protected, Get Professional

Don’t leave your product, and your profits, to chance. A tech pack isn’t just a document; it’s your safeguard against unnecessary costs, poor quality, and wasted time.

• Need a starting point? Grab our pre-formatted Tech Pack Template so you don’t have to build one from scratch.

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