Garment Details That Are Often Missing From Tech Packs

Posted by

mekong

December 25, 2025 On December 20, 2025

A tech pack is the backbone of apparel production. When it is clear and complete, production moves smoothly. When it is not, delays, extra costs, and wrong samples quickly appear. Many brands especially newer ones do not realize how much small missing details can affect the final product.

A strong tech pack works like a shared language between a brand and a factory. It turns ideas into exact instructions. Every missing line creates room for confusion, guessing, and mistakes. This article breaks down the garment details that are most often forgotten, explains why they are important, and shows how these gaps impact time, cost, and quality. By the end, you will have a practical checklist to help you build tech packs that factories can follow without questions.

Why Incomplete Tech Packs Create Serious Production Risks

An incomplete tech pack is not just an inconvenience. It is one of the biggest risks in garment manufacturing. Problems rarely appear all at once. Instead, they build slowly and affect every stage of production. When information is missing, factories cannot move forward with confidence. Most professional factories follow a “no guessing” rule. If something is unclear, they must stop and ask. Each pause adds time. On tight seasonal schedules, even small delays can cause missed launch dates or lost sales. A complete tech pack protects your timeline. It allows the factory to work continuously without waiting for answers.

How Missing Details Damage Communication

Many brands complain about too many emails and questions from factories. In most cases, the real issue is not communication style it is missing information. When construction or material details are unclear, the factory must send long lists of questions. This back-and-forth wastes time and energy on both sides. It also increases the chance of misunderstandings, especially when teams speak different languages. Clear tech packs reduce emails, reduce meetings, and create smoother teamwork. When everything is written clearly once, fewer explanations are needed later.

The Real Cost of Incorrect Samples

Every sample costs money. Every extra sample costs more money. Missing details almost always lead to incorrect first samples. Common gaps include grading rules, stitch density, or measurement tolerances. When these are not defined, factories follow standard methods, which may not match your expectations. Each correction means:

New materials
Extra labor
More time

Over multiple styles, these costs add up fast. A detailed tech pack saves money by getting samples right the first time.

=> Related Article: What Is the Biggest Misconception About Tech Packs?

6 Details That Are Often Missing From Tech Packs

Construction details are where design becomes a real garment. They are also the most common area for mistakes. Many brands focus on how a garment looks but forget how it is built. These small construction choices affect durability, comfort, and fit. When construction details are missing, factories default to their usual methods. That may not match your brand standards.

=> Related Article: No Tech Pack, No Scale: How Big Brands Really Produce

Stitch Type and SPI Are Often Missing

Writing “sew seam” is not enough. Each seam should include:

Stitch type (lockstitch, chainstitch, overlock, flatlock)
SPI (stitches per inch)

SPI affects both strength and appearance. Higher SPI looks cleaner but takes more time. Lower SPI is faster but may look rougher. Every seam needs its own stitch instruction. A simple stitch table inside the tech pack can prevent many mistakes.

Seam Allowance and Seam Finish Are Forgotten

Seam allowance tells the factory how much fabric to leave past the stitch. If it is not written, most factories use their standard allowance. This becomes a problem when:

Alterations are needed later
Special construction is required
Durability is important

Seam finishing is just as critical. Options like overlocking, binding, or flat-felling affect comfort and lifespan. Without clear instructions, the inside of the garment may not meet your quality expectations.

Fabric Descriptions Need More Than Fiber Content

“100% cotton” or “polyester knit” is not enough. A good fabric description includes:

Weight (GSM or OZ)
Construction (jersey, rib, twill)
Finish (washed, brushed, enzyme-treated)
Performance requirements (stretch, shrinkage, colorfastness)

For performance wear, testing standards should also be listed. This avoids wrong fabric selection and failed expectations.

=> Related Article: How Do Tech Packs Improve Your Apparel Quality Control?

Trims and Labels Need Full Definitions

Small items make a big difference.

Every trim should list: Type, Material, Size, Color, Finish.
Labels need: Material, Dimensions, Artwork, Print method, Care instructions

Care labels are often forgotten. Missing care details can delay production and create legal risks in some markets.

Packaging Instructions Are Too Vague

Packaging affects both cost and brand image. Your tech pack should explain:

Poly bag size and thickness
Warning labels
Hangtag placement
Carton size and markings
Packing method per carton

Without clear instructions, factories use default packing. Fixing packaging errors after production is expensive and time-consuming.

Quality Control and Compliance Are Assumed, Not Defined

Factories do not know your quality rules unless you tell them. Your tech pack should clearly state:

AQL level
Major and minor defect limits
Inspection timing
Required certifications

If third-party inspections are required, they should be named in advance. Compliance should never be assumed.

Final Thoughts: A Tech Pack Is a Production Tool, Not Just a File

A well-prepared tech pack is not paperwork. It is a production strategy. Every detail you add reduces risk. Every missing line creates uncertainty. Clear tech packs save time, protect budgets, and improve factory relationships. When you invest effort upfront, you gain smoother production, better samples, and garments that truly reflect your brand vision.

=> Related Article: What is Sew On Hook and Eye: Definition & Use?