For every apparel brand, understanding production cost per unit is a crucial aspect. This is an important aspect of the design and production process. A comprehensive tech pack with a Bill of materials (BOM) can be a game changer. Brand owners need to assess the challenges while building a clothing brand.
The Importance of Bills of Materials (BOM)
Bills of Materials (BOM) is a detailed inventory list outlining all raw materials and components. It is an essential document to source materials needed to produce garments. This is a checklist for the sourcing and purchasing department of a garment unit. A checklist that outlines step-by-step instructions for purchasing raw materials required. It plays a pivotal role in obtaining accurate cost estimates and production planning. Below are some of the key insights into the design and production process.
Tech Packs: Bridging Creativity and Cost Efficiency
While creativity is at the forefront during the design process, tech packs act as a bridge. A tech pack acts as a balancing tool between creativity and cost efficiency. Detailed information on materials and processes, gives a garment cost approximation. And sometimes it acts as a checkpoint if the cost goes up and helps rework the design to make it affordable. So, before proceeding with sampling and production, making tech packs is advisable.
Tech Pack as a Prerequisite for BOM
A tech pack is a prerequisite for creating a Bills of Materials. It serves as the foundation for understanding the collection design. Tech packs also aid in preparing a detailed list of materials required for each style. Also if the tech packs for the complete collection are prepared, the client can mix and match materials to exceed MOQ and get a hefty discount. As we all know the price goes up when quantity is low and vice versa.
Reverse Engineering for Cost Management
Established brands often use reverse engineering processes to determine the cost. They set the target price and work backward to match and fix the materials to achieve the target cost. However, startups seldom follow this because of ignorance or other constraints like MOQ. However, doing reverse engineering to match the target cost is a good practice. And this can be possible only when we know what the style needs and how it should be prepared. And tech pack helps understand it better.
Guidance from Tech Pack Designers
Startups often make the mistake of going directly to the clothing manufacturers. They show a sketch / Picture and ask to replicate the design. This is a wrong practice and with this, they end up paying much more unknowingly. So, startups with creative ideas but limited industry experience should take the guidance. A tech pack designer helps you organize your style details. And this will help you get a better price from the manufacturer. Tech pack designers can assist in aligning creative instincts with business acumen. And it helps you ensure a successful venture.
Integration of Bills of Materials and Tech Packs
Efficiency in Sample Development and Production
Including a Bill of Materials along with the tech pack enhances efficiency in sampling and production. Buyers can plan their budgets effectively, leading to a smoother and more organized process.
Commercial Value and Profitability
Business is all about finance and a true businessman accesses the cost and benefit before taking a step. Figuring out the cost per unit of apparel production is a standard practice. And starting from the design phase this aspect must be taken care of. However, it is difficult to get an accurate cost estimation for production from a sketch or image. Manufacturers avoid giving sampling and production costing this way. They insist on a fashion tech pack to give any cost estimation. This is where the bills of materials in a tech pack come in handy. Bills of materials is a comprehensive list of raw materials needed to develop the sample. Also, this outlines the purchasing pattern. It also includes step-by-step instructions for processing the product.
Balancing Creativity and Profitability
When you design and produce garments for business, the sole purpose is to make a profit from each sale. You may be more inclined towards creativity during the process. But it is equally important to keep production costs in mind. Most startups often get distracted by their creative instinct. And they end up investing more than required in developing and producing styles. This affects the sales and you end up with a pile of unsold inventories. Established brands often approach collection planning through reverse engineering. They first decide the target price and work backward with the design. This is why they can match the cost and make maximum profit while not compromising on quality. So, if you have a creative idea, take the help of an experienced designer and prepare tech packs. This will help you plan your collection with a focused approach.
The Importance of Tech Packs in Investment for Apparel Production Planning
Investing in a new apparel brand can be challenging. So, it is important to have a clear understanding of the cost involved in design and production. We know a sketch or an inspirational image alone won’t provide the cost of the garment. So, it is crucial to plan your production before you even start to invest in it. Tech packs for each of your styles in the collection help you in every step of production planning. It provides a clear understanding of the styles in the collection. And a nonnegotiable document that a factory needs to give any cost estimation. This is because a tech pack helps understand the materials and processes used for each style. You can prepare Bills of Materials (BOM) with the help of a tech pack to obtain accurate costs.
Role of Bills of Materials in Optimizing Production Efficiency
Including a Bill of Materials (BOM) with a tech pack is a good practice. Because Bills of Materials gives the buyer a comprehensive list of materials to be used. So, this gives a clear understanding of the cost of production. This also helps negotiate with manufacturers and choose the ideal one. With BOM, the tech designer can help ensure a smooth and organized production process.
Accessing Pre-Made Tech Pack Templates for Effortless Apparel Design
Consider visiting our online tech pack template store for generic tech packs. Here you can get the tech packs for almost all generic styles that are tested in a factory environment. Our store offers a wide range of styles to choose from. So, you can choose styles for your collection and download that best fit for your brand. The tech packs in our store are pre-tested and are designed to be ready for factory production. By using our pre-made tech pack templates, you can save a lot of time and effort in the design process. With those tech packs, you are ready to proceed with apparel production.
Pursuing your creative ambition with limited industry expertise is tough. You can take guidance from an industry expert, especially in fashion forecast and tech pack creation. With proper planning and guidance, you can turn your creative idea into a successful venture. The investment made in the initial stage will ultimately lead to better results. The integration of Bills of Materials and tech packs is indispensable for navigating the complexities of apparel manufacturing, especially for startups. Proper planning, guided by tech pack designers and industry experts, can transform creative visions into successful ventures. The investment in the initial stages, including tech packs and Bills of Materials, sets the foundation for efficient, cost-effective, and profitable apparel production.