Garment Specification Sheets and their Importance in Product Development

Product/Garment Specification Sheet - What exactly is it?

An important document that contains information about new styles and designs is the apparel product specification sheet, also known as a spec sheet. It contains every one of the significant information with respect to the style.

When a sample needs to be made, the buyer should supply a spec sheet to the development team/factory. The product development team will be able to precisely understand what each style's construction and trims are supposed to be thanks to this.

Importance in the Development of Garments

When the factory has a complete set of In-Depth Instructions, executing accurate samples will shorten the time to turnaround and make Communication During Every Stage of Manufacturing and Quality Control Easier.

Basically, the Style Spec Sheet is the "guide" for development and production, as it contains all the componentry, trims and accessories reuqired to manufacture it. Additionally, the spec sheet (tech pack) is also useful for the planning and purchasing of bulk ,and trims, and for accurate costings.

It is essential to focus on the spec sheet and update it as the style progresses to final approval. It is highly likely that certain style details, fabric specifications, and trim specifications will be altered during the sampling process. Some changes can be significant and the buyer should send revised specifications confirming any changes. It is essential to keep track of the modifications, including the date and time they were made. A hard copy of the email should always be kept in the file.

In the event that a purchaser questions any of the changes, having a clear trail of changes will place the factory in a position of financial security. If the factory disregards or fails to adhere to any of the information on the spec sheet, they can be held accountable and may have to deal with severe discounts, reworking the production, or cancellation

Garment spec sheets (tech packs) should include construction notes, finished garment measurements, fabric yields, and material and trim details in addition to detailed technical drawings, also known as flats. Where available, signed of fabric swatches, trims and accessories should be included with the tech pack.

In most instances, the grade rules and measurements grades between sizes should be supplied by the garment technician to the factory. The more information that is supplied to the factory, the better it is for them to manufacture the final product accurately without confusion and misunderstanding.

Key details that should be included in a specification sheet :

Sketch of the item: The garment's measurements should be included in the front and back line drawings of the product sketch. Each trim, accessory, print or special feature should be set apart on the sketch. There should be one line drawing with measurement arrows, and one line drawing highlight the design details.

Particulars of the fabric: The spec sheet must mention the quality of the fabric. An approved swatch of the fabric should be included where possible. Item code, Fiber content, labelling and packaging and supplier details should all be included.

Points of Measure, or POMs: the required item's various size measurements. The "point of measure" will be used to verify that the finished garment's measurements are correct. The size chart should be complete with line drawings with measurement arrows, and where applicable, clear how to measure instructions should be inclulded.

Placement of print: information about where and what kind of print is on the garment.

Placement of the embroidery: information about the kind of embroidery, its size, and where it is placed.

Workmanship Directions: Include the stitch type, seam class with seam diagram, thread size for various components, and SPI (stitch per inch)

Care/Content/Washing Instructions: Details of how to wash/launder/dryclean the garment to be provided together with any special instructions.

Accessories: Trims details, fastening details with product codes or accepted brands (eg: only use YKK zips), fiber content and any supplier details where applicable

Labels: Details of brand, care/content labels, size pips and washing instructions and placement in/on the garment

Comments: used by the factory to record any information about the garment's construction.

During the garment's production, the Points of Measure (PoM) critical to the accurate manufacturing of the final garments.

QC page - A comprehensive QC page should be concluded where factory should record their findings/finished measurements of bulk. This should be submitted for approval with the final shipping sample to allow the buyer/garment technician to approve the bulk for shipping from the factory.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is crucial to request a spec sheet from the buyer for each design.

For repeat orders, often the factory does not request or follow up on NEW spec sheets. This is a dangerous practice. Even the repeat orders, like school uniforms or basic products like T-shirts in solid colors and other products in the same category, may have small changes. This could be a point of measurement, a label's placement, a stitch pattern, an updated logo, or any other minor detail.

Customer feedback or buyer-internal risk assessment meetings are sometimes the basis for these modifications. Manufacturing facilities put themselves at risk of buyer claims if they do not have an updated version of the previous specification. As a general rule, every new order should be accompanied by an approved tech pack that has been confirmed by the buyer/designer/garment technician. On all repeat orders, at least one PP sample should be sent by the factory to the buyer to ensure that the goods are being made correctly.