A spec sheet and a tech pack are essential documents in fashion production, but they serve different purposes.
Spec Sheet
A spec sheet provides detailed measurements for a garment. It details precise measurements for each size and key Points Of Measurement (POM). It ensures that the manufacturer understands the specific dimensions of each style, which helps maintain consistency and accuracy during production.
The spec sheet typically includes:
Garment dimensions for each size
Tolerances (allowable variances in measurements)
Details on fabric, trims, and labels
Stitching requirements and types of seams
This document ensures that the manufacturer can reproduce the garment to exact specifications. It's especially useful during the quality control process to verify that the final product meets the required standards.
Tech Pack
A tech pack, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive document. It includes not only the spec sheet but also sketches, fabric and trim details, construction instructions, and any additional notes required to bring a design to life. It's the blueprint for a garment, offering everything needed for production from start to finish.
A tech pack generally includes the following:
Technical sketches or flat drawings showing every view of the garment
Bill of materials (BOM), outlining the fabrics, trims, threads, and hardware
Colorways and print/pattern specifications
Construction details, including stitching, seam finishes, and special treatments
Labels and packaging requirements
Grading specs and rules for sizing (how the garment should be scaled across different sizes)
The tech pack minimizes miscommunication between the designer and manufacturer, ensuring that the design is executed as intended. It's essential for avoiding costly mistakes.
Key Differences
While both documents are vital for successful production, the key difference is scope. A spec sheet is focused on ensuring proper fit and measurement, whereas a tech pack covers every aspect of the garment's creation, from materials and construction to packaging and delivery.
When should you use them?
Both are invaluable for efficient, high-quality manufacturing.
A spec sheet normally gets finalized to be used during production to ensure the garment's specs are met and to keep the fit and size consistent.
A tech pack can be used throughout the design, development, and production processes. A tech pack is a living document that will be revised and completed throughout the process, so by the time the style goes into production, everything needed for executing the design is up to date and in the tech pack.
In summary, a spec sheet gives the technical details needed for precision in production, while a tech pack is a holistic guide that ensures the entire production process runs smoothly, from the design concept to the final product. This is why I refer to it as the garment’s bible.