Episode Overview
Tech packs can be a pain. And most aspiring fashionistas don’t envision their fashion career and think, “I can’t wait to create an amazing tech pack!” But love them or hate them, tech packs are a crucial, though often overlooked, part of getting your garments from your head into your customers’ hands.
In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, you’ll hear from Belinda Jacobs of Tech Packs Co on what a tech pack REALLY needs, why they are SO important, and how you can be sure yours gets the job done RIGHT!
Episode Highlights
Introduction to Belinda Jacobs and the Podcast
- Heidi introduces the podcast, its mission, and today’s guest, Belinda Jacobs. She previews the episode’s focus on tech packs and Belinda’s expertise.
Belinda’s Background and Career Kickoff
- Belinda shares her background, including her first job with an eveningwear designer in London, her education, and her work experiences that led her to identify problems in the fashion production process.
Starting Tech Packs Co and Transition to Freelancing
- Discussion on Belinda’s move to freelancing, initially using Upwork for extra cash. The conversation shifts to how she started Tech Packs Co after moving to LA and deciding to focus on tech packs exclusively.
Explanation of Tech Packs
- Belinda explains what a tech pack is, its components (materials, technical sketches, construction details, colors, embellishments, labels, packaging, and measurements), and its importance in production.
Importance of Tech Packs for a Design Process
- Further details on why tech packs are essential for communication between designers and factories and for tracking production changes.
Client Interaction and Tech Pack Creation Process
- Belinda outlines her process when working with clients, including initial meetings to gather design details, creating the tech pack, and making any necessary revisions.
Types of Clients and Products
- Discussion about the variety of clients and products Belinda works with, including small brands, independent designers, and various product categories like medical clothing, pet clothing, and home textiles.
Challenges Without Proper Tech Packs
- Belinda shares anecdotes about common issues when tech packs are not detailed or accurate, underlining the financial and time costs of improper tech packs.
DIY Tech Packs vs. Professional Help
- Conversation on the feasibility of DIY tech packs for startup brands, emphasizing the need for detailed research and education, and possibly hiring professionals for specific parts.
Tips for Creating Efficient Tech Packs
- Belinda provides tips on making the tech pack creation process less tedious, such as starting with a template, creating libraries of references, and making use of technical drawings and images.
Conclusion and Final Advice
- Belinda’s final advice on the importance of detailed visuals in tech packs and her closing thoughts.
Key Questions and Responses
1. What is your backstory, and how did you build Tech Packs Co?
- Belinda began as a design assistant for an evening wear designer in London and continued to gain experience in the industry. She noticed recurring problems with accurate sample creation and factory communication, prompting her to develop systems for better tech pack creation. Initially freelancing in the evenings and weekends, she eventually moved to LA and started Tech Packs Co. three years ago, obtaining clients primarily through networking and word of mouth.
2. What is a Tech Pack, and why is it important?
- A Tech Pack is a set of documents likened to blueprints or instructions that detail how to make a product, including materials, technical sketches, construction methods, colors, embellishments, labels, packaging, and measurements with tolerances. It ensures that a product is made accurately to design specifications and helps track modifications throughout the product development process.
3. How do you handle the process of creating a Tech Pack for a client?
- Belinda starts with a meeting to understand the design details and materials from the client, obtains a fit sample, and then creates the Tech Pack within two to three weeks for multiple styles. She revisits the client to ensure satisfaction and handles any adjustments needed as the production progresses.
4. Can you share some examples where improper or lack of Tech Packs led to issues?
- Belinda recalls instances, like a pair of trousers coming back as a combined leg skirt due to unclear drawings. This showcases the importance of detailed and clear Tech Packs to avoid such significant errors.
5. What tips do you have for someone trying to DIY their Tech Pack?
- Belinda suggests educating oneself through textbooks and courses and advises on reaching out for specific help on challenging parts rather than outsourcing the entire Tech Pack to manage costs effectively.
6. What are your thoughts on tech pack software compared to traditional spreadsheet methods?
- Belinda recognizes tech pack software as beneficial for larger companies with high volume styles due to its organizational tools. However, she advocates for spreadsheets when working with smaller brands or start-ups because they are simpler, cost-effective, and easily portable.
7. How do you ensure that a Tech Pack contains all necessary details?
- Belinda emphasizes the inclusion of all possible details, no matter how obvious they may seem, to avoid misinterpretation by the factory. She advises visual references such as drawings and photographs to complement written instructions for clarity.
About Belinda:
Belinda Jacobs wasn’t always a tech pack wiz. She started out in fashion at just 15 years old, stapling swatch cards together in the sample room of a London eveningwear designer. It wasn’t until her first post-university internship that she realized the importance of tech packs. She got to see first-hand what happens when communication fails between brands and the factories making their clothes!
That’s when Belinda started to hone her ability to create clear tech packs that got clothes made right the first time.
Resources & People Mentioned
- Free tech pack template for SFD Podcast listeners!
- TechPacks.co
- Sign up for Belinda’s newsletter
- Check out Tech Packs Co on Instagram