How to Get Accurate Pricing from Garment Manufacturers —Without Overpaying!
Take control of your production costs!
Learn why a tech pack is the key to accurate pricing, fewer revisions, and a smoother manufacturing process
If you're launching a custom activewear line, it makes sense to reach out to a manufacturer early on to get an idea of production costs before committing to design and development. After all, knowing your costs upfront helps with budgeting and financial planning, right?
Here’s what most new brands don’t realize—without a tech pack and technical flats, manufacturers can’t provide an accurate cost estimate. Instead, they often pad pricing to account for unknowns, adjust production fees, or require higher minimum order quantities (MOQs) to compensate for the extra time spent figuring out garment details themselves.
The result? You pay more than necessary; experience delays due to miscommunications and lower your profit margins without realizing it.
When you provide a professional tech pack and technical flats, you:
Reduce sample costs by eliminating unnecessary revisions.
Avoid hidden manufacturer markups by controlling design details upfront.
Negotiate better pricing by allowing manufacturers to quote accurately.
Improve your profit margins by minimizing costly production mistakes.
A tech pack isn’t just a document—it’s an investment that saves you money and sets up your brand for long-term success. Let’s dive into exactly how it works and why it’s crucial before approaching manufacturers.
What Happens When You Contact a Manufacturer Without a Tech Pack?
Many new brands believe reaching out to a manufacturer first will help them understand production costs before investing in design and development. But here’s what often happens:
📩 Manufacturer Response:
"Can you provide a tech pack with measurements, fabric details, and construction specs?"
If a brand doesn’t have one, the manufacturer may:
Only offer a vague price range instead of an accurate quote.
Request more details before moving forward, leading to delays.
Make assumptions about design, fit, and construction, resulting in unexpected sample revisions.
Manufacturers rely on precise documentation to produce garments correctly. Without a tech pack, the process becomes slower, more expensive, and less predictable—all of which can lead to higher production costs and lower profit margins for your brand.
What Is a Tech Pack & Why Is It Important?
A tech pack (technical package) is a detailed blueprint that tells a manufacturer exactly how to construct your garment.
It includes:
Technical Flat Sketches – Front and back views of the garment with precise design details.
Construction Details – Stitching, seams, trims, and logo placements.
Measurements & Size Specs – Exact garment dimensions across all sizes.
Fabric & Trims Information – Material types, finishes, and colorways.
Bill of Materials (BOM) – A breakdown of every component needed for production.
A strong tech pack ensures your manufacturer understands your vision and executes it accurately, efficiently, and at the right cost. It also allows them to quote pricing with confidence rather than guessing and adding cost buffers to protect themselves from unknowns.
Why Manufacturers Prefer Brands That Provide Tech Packs
Garment manufacturers and fabric mills appreciate when brands come prepared. Here’s why:
Smoother Communication – Tech packs ensure clear instructions from the start.
Fewer Sample Revisions – When all details are documented, your first sample is more accurate, saving time and money.
Accurate Cost Estimates – When fabric choices, trims, and fit details are clearly defined, manufacturers can price production precisely rather than giving broad estimates.
Faster Turnaround Times – Clear specifications allow manufacturers to plan materials and production schedules efficiently.
A well-prepared tech pack reduces risks for manufacturers, making them more willing to work with your brand and offering competitive pricing because they know exactly what’s required.
Understanding “Free” Tech Pack Offers from Manufacturers
Some manufacturers offer to create a tech pack for free, but here’s what many brands don’t realize:
You may not own the tech pack – If you switch manufacturers, you may have to start from scratch.
The manufacturer controls your design – They may alter details to fit their production methods, which may not align with your vision.
Hidden fees are often built into production costs – The “free” tech pack is not actually free—it’s absorbed into higher unit prices or minimum order requirements.
Limited flexibility – If you decide to change manufacturers, you may not receive the original files, making it difficult to continue development.
Some brands are okay with this approach, but if you want full ownership of your designs and the ability to compare multiple manufacturers, investing in your own professional tech pack is the best option.
The Risk of Skipping a Tech Pack…
Brands that try to skip this step often face these costly challenges:
Expensive Sample Revisions – Without clear instructions, manufacturers may misinterpret details, leading to costly redo samples.
Production Delays – Every revision cycle adds weeks or months to your timeline.
Inconsistent Fit & Quality – Without standardized specs, fit and quality may vary between production batches.
Higher Production Costs – Unclear specifications often lead to unexpected fees for last-minute changes.
A tech pack helps eliminate these risks, allowing manufacturers to get it right the first time, saving time, money, and frustration.
How a Tech Pack Helps You Get Accurate Pricing
Once you have a professional tech pack, manufacturers can:
Provide an exact production cost estimate instead of a broad price range
Source appropriate materials based on your specified fabric, trims, and components.
Develop a correct sample on the first attempt, reducing expensive revisions.
Plan production efficiently, leading to a smoother overall process.
Simply put, investing in a tech pack upfront prevents costly surprises later.
What’s the Right Approach?
If you’re serious about developing a high-quality activewear line, follow this recommended process:
1. Work With a Freelance Activewear Designer First
Develop a tech pack and technical flats so your design is clear and ready for garment manufacturing.
Create a digital garment pattern to increase fit accuracy.
Refine your design through 3D fittings before requesting a physical prototype.
2. THEN Reach Out to a Manufacturer
With a tech pack in hand, you can get accurate cost estimates.
The manufacturer can produce a sample correctly the first time.
You maintain full ownership of your designs and can compare multiple manufacturers.
This approach saves money, speeds up timelines, and produces higher quality garments.
Final Thoughts: A Tech Pack Is an Investment That Pays Off
Skipping a tech pack may seem like a way to save money upfront, but it costs more in the long run.
Investing in a Freelance Activewear Designer first gives you a professional blueprint for your garment, allowing you to get accurate cost estimates, high-quality products, and a seamless garment manufacturing process.
Need a Tech Pack for Your Activewear Line? Let’s Talk!
I specialize in helping brands design and develop custom activewear for garment manufacturing.
Custom Technical Flat Sketches
CLO 3D Digital Prototyping
Technical Design & Digital Patterns
Comprehensive Tech Packs Ready for Production
