How to Include Material Specifications in Your Garment Tech Pack

When it comes to creating a garment, the material you choose plays a critical role in determining its look, feel, durability, and overall quality. As such, specifying the materials in a tech pack is one of the most important steps in the fashion design process. The materials section of a tech pack ensures that the manufacturer understands exactly which fabrics, trims, and other components should be used, preventing any misunderstandings or errors during production.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to effectively include material specifications in your garment tech pack to ensure a smooth production process and high-quality end products.

Why Are Material Specifications Important in a Tech Pack?

Material specifications in a tech pack are important because they:

  1. Define the Look and Feel: The materials you choose will determine how the final garment looks, feels, and functions. Detailed specifications help ensure the design meets your creative vision.
  2. Ensure Consistency: By providing exact material details, you help guarantee that the correct fabrics and components are used across all production runs, leading to consistent quality and product performance.
  3. Prevent Mistakes: Clear material instructions reduce the risk of manufacturing errors, such as using the wrong fabric, thread, or trim. This helps avoid costly mistakes and delays.
  4. Affect Costing and Production Timeline: Material choices impact both the cost and the time required for production. Specifying materials clearly in advance helps control both.

Key Components to Include for Material Specifications in Your Tech Pack

Here’s a breakdown of what to include when specifying materials in your garment tech pack:

1. Fabric Specifications

Fabric is one of the most crucial components of a garment, so it’s vital to provide detailed information about the type, texture, and composition of the fabric.

  • Fabric Type: Specify the type of fabric (e.g., cotton, polyester, wool, silk, denim, etc.). This helps the manufacturer source the correct material.
  • Composition: Include the fabric’s composition in terms of percentages (e.g., 100% cotton, 80% polyester/20% spandex). This is essential for ensuring the correct material blend and properties.
  • Weight: Indicate the fabric’s weight (usually in GSM – grams per square meter). Fabric weight affects the garment’s drape, feel, and durability. For example, a lightweight fabric like chiffon will behave differently than a heavier fabric like denim.
  • Width: Fabric comes in various widths (e.g., 45″ or 60″), which affects how much material is needed to cut the garment pieces.
  • Finish: If the fabric has a specific finish or treatment (e.g., washed, brushed, laminated, or water-resistant), be sure to mention it in your tech pack.

Example:

  • Fabric Type: Cotton Twill
  • Composition: 100% Cotton
  • Weight: 180 GSM
  • Width: 60 inches
  • Finish: Soft Washed

2. Color Information

The color of the fabric is one of the most important visual aspects of a garment. You need to be precise when specifying colors to avoid misunderstandings.

  • Pantone Color Code: Pantone is a standardized color matching system used worldwide. Including the Pantone color code for the fabric ensures that the exact color is used.
  • Fabric Swatches: If possible, include a physical swatch of the fabric or a digital image that represents the color as accurately as possible. This visual reference helps eliminate ambiguity.
  • Color Variations: If your design involves multiple color options, be sure to specify the exact colors for each fabric piece (e.g., main fabric, lining, trim, etc.).

Example:

  • Fabric Color: Pantone 182 C (Cherry Red)

3. Trims and Findings

Trims and findings refer to all the non-fabric components used in the garment, such as buttons, zippers, snaps, labels, and threads. Including detailed specifications for these materials ensures that every element of the garment is precisely as you envision it.

  • Buttons, Zippers, and Snaps: Specify the material (e.g., plastic, metal, brass, or wood), size, shape, and color of any fasteners used in the garment. Include a sample image or a physical sample if possible.
  • Threads: Specify the thread type, thickness (e.g., 30/2 or 50/2), and color that should be used for stitching. The type of thread can affect the durability and appearance of the garment.
  • Elastic and Cords: If your design includes elastic bands, drawstrings, or other similar materials, be sure to specify their width, stretch, material, and color.
  • Labels and Tags: Clearly specify the design and placement of any brand labels, care labels, or size tags. Include details about the fabric and color of the labels, as well as any text or logos.

Example:

  • Button Material: Shiny Brass, 1.5 cm diameter
  • Zipper Type: 5mm YKK Metal Zipper, Silver
  • Thread Type: 100% Cotton, Color #262, 30/2
  • Label: Woven polyester, logo in white on black background, placed at center back neck

4. Lining and Interfacing

Many garments, such as jackets or blouses, include a lining or interfacing. These materials are crucial for the garment’s structure, comfort, and appearance.

  • Lining Fabric: Specify the material (e.g., polyester, silk, cotton) and any other properties, such as color and finish.
  • Interfacing: If your design requires interfacing (a material used to stiffen parts of a garment), include the type (e.g., fusible, non-fusible) and the fabric composition (e.g., cotton or polyester).

Example:

  • Lining Material: 100% Polyester Satin, Color: Pantone 182 C
  • Interfacing: Fusible, 100% Cotton, Medium Weight

5. Sustainability and Ethical Considerations

If sustainability or ethical sourcing is important to your brand, be sure to include relevant material specifications, such as:

  • Organic or Recycled Fabrics: Specify if the fabric is made from organic fibers (e.g., organic cotton) or recycled materials (e.g., recycled polyester).
  • Certifications: Mention any certifications the fabric may have, such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OEKO-TEX, to indicate that the material meets certain environmental or ethical standards.
  • Environmental Considerations: If there are any eco-friendly attributes of the materials (e.g., biodegradable, water-saving, low-impact dyes), include those details in the tech pack.

Example:

  • Fabric Type: Recycled Polyester (100%), OEKO-TEX certified

6. Material Samples

Whenever possible, include physical samples of the materials or fabric swatches in your tech pack. A swatch helps the manufacturer see the exact material and feel its texture, ensuring they understand the material’s weight, feel, and visual appeal. Digital images can also help, but nothing beats the accuracy of a real sample.

Tips for Including Material Specifications in Your Tech Pack

  • Be Precise: The more specific you are with your material specifications, the less room there is for errors. Avoid vague terms like “lightweight fabric” or “dark red color.” Instead, use precise weights, compositions, and Pantone codes.
  • Use Visual References: Always accompany your material specifications with images, swatches, or physical samples. Visual references ensure that your vision is accurately conveyed.
  • Consider the End Use: Think about the functional requirements of the materials. For example, activewear needs fabrics with moisture-wicking properties, while formalwear requires fabrics with a luxurious drape.
  • Organize Clearly: Break down the material specifications into clearly labeled sections (e.g., fabric, trims, labels) to make the tech pack easy to navigate.

Final Thoughts

Material specifications are a critical component of any garment tech pack. By providing accurate, detailed information about fabrics, trims, and other materials, you can ensure that the manufacturer creates a garment that meets your design vision and quality standards. The clearer and more comprehensive your material specifications, the smoother the production process will be, resulting in a finished garment that aligns with your creative goals.