The Snap Placement Diagram That Prevents Closure Failures
The snap closure on a bodysuit is the second point of failure. Buyers specify the snap type—plastic, metal, or hook-and-eye—but they often leave the placement to the factory’s discretion. A snap that sits 3 cm too high creates a gap; one that sits 3 cm too low digs into the hip. We need a diagram, not a note, that shows the distance from the crotch seam to the center of the snap, the distance between snaps if there are two, and the angle of the snap relative to the body. This diagram is a rectangle with measurements, and it takes five minutes to draw. Without it, our sample makers use a standard placement, and the buyer may not like the result. The diagram is the difference between a closure that works and one that does not.
Bodysuits are almost always made from stretch fabrics—spandex blends, power mesh, or rib knits—and the stretch percentage determines the cut. A fabric with 20% stretch requires a tighter pattern than one with 40% stretch, and the tech pack must state the percentage, not just the composition. We have received tech packs that list "spandex/cotton" without a stretch figure, and the sample comes out either too tight or too loose because the pattern maker assumed a default. The buyer should also specify the recovery, which is how well the fabric snaps back after stretching, because a fabric with poor recovery will sag after one wear. These numbers belong in the fabric section of the tech pack, and they are as important as the weight and the color.
Beyond the rise, there are four measurement points that our sample room checks on every bodysuit: the bust, the waist, the hip, the torso length, and the sleeve opening if there are sleeves. The bust and waist are straightforward, but the hip measurement on a bodysuit is taken at the widest point of the seat, not the hip bone, and this distinction matters for fit. The torso length is measured from the high point of the shoulder, over the bust, to the crotch, and it is the measurement that determines whether the bodysuit will fit a range of body types. A torso that is too short pulls at the shoulders; one that is too long creates a sag at the waist. We ask buyers to provide these measurements in a graded size range, from XS to XL, and to include a tolerance of ±1 cm. Without a tolerance, every sample is a guess.
What a Complete Bodysuit Tech Pack Looks Like
A bodysuit tech pack that works in our sample room has these elements: a flat sketch with front and back views, a snap placement diagram with measurements, a fabric spec with stretch percentage and recovery, a graded measurement chart with tolerances, and a trim list that specifies the snap type and size. It does not need to be beautiful; it needs to be clear. We have seen tech packs that are hand-drawn and work perfectly, and we have seen ones that are professionally designed and cause problems because the measurements are missing. The clarity of the information, not the quality of the graphics, is what determines whether the sample comes out right the first time.
A missing spec costs time and money. A second round of samples adds two to three weeks to the timeline, and the buyer pays for the fabric, the labor, and the shipping. A bodysuit that fits poorly in the market costs more, because returns and negative reviews erode the brand. The specs that matter—the rise, the snap placement, the stretch percentage, and the graded measurements—are the ones that the buyer controls. The factory can cut and sew to any spec, but it cannot invent the spec. That is the buyer’s job, and the tech pack is where it happens. We are ready to cut the sample as soon as the spec is clear, and the clarity is what makes the difference between a bodysuit that sells and one that sits in the warehouse.
A tech pack is the bridge between your design and the final product. It is the document that tells the factory exactly what to make, how to make it, and what materials to use. Without a complete tech pack, the factory is left to interpret your vision, and interpretation leads to errors. A well-prepared tech pack reduces the number of sample rounds, shortens the production timeline, and ensures that the final product matches your design intent. The key is to include every detail that the factory needs, and to present it in a format that is easy to read and understand.
Start with a Clear Sketch
The first page of your tech pack should be a flat sketch of the garment, showing the front and back views. The sketch should be in black and white, with no shading or color, so that the construction details are visible. Include callouts for every seam, every closure, and every trim. The sketch is the visual reference that the pattern maker will use to create the first pattern, so it must be accurate and detailed. If the sketch is unclear, the pattern will be unclear, and the sample will not match your design.
Include a Bill of Materials
The Bill of Materials (BOM) is the list of every component that goes into the garment, including the main fabric, lining, trims, labels, and packaging. For each component, include the material description, the supplier, the color, and the quantity. The BOM is what the factory uses to source the materials, so it must be complete. If a material is missing from the BOM, the factory will either substitute it or delay production while they wait for clarification. Both scenarios cost time and money.
Provide Graded Measurements
Graded measurements are the measurements for each size in your size range, from XS to XL. The measurements should include the bust, waist, hip, length, and any other points of measurement that are relevant to the garment. For each measurement, include a tolerance, which is the acceptable range of variation. For example, a bust measurement of 90 cm with a tolerance of ±1 cm means that the factory can produce a garment with a bust between 89 and 91 cm. Tolerances are necessary because fabric and sewing are not exact sciences, and without them, the factory will have to guess what is acceptable.
Specify Construction Details
Construction details are the instructions for how the garment should be assembled. This includes the type of seams, the stitch density, the hem allowance, and the closure placement. For example, if you want a flatlock seam on a bodysuit, specify it in the tech pack. If you want a 2 cm hem, specify it. The factory will not assume these details; they will follow the tech pack exactly. If the tech pack is silent on a detail, the factory will use their standard, which may not match your design intent.
Add a Label and Packaging Spec
Labels and packaging are often overlooked in tech packs, but they are part of the product. Specify the label type (woven, printed, heat transfer), the label content (brand name, size, care instructions), and the label placement. For packaging, specify the polybag type, the insert card, and the carton size. These details may seem minor, but they affect the final presentation of the product and the customer experience.
Common Tech Pack Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a template, buyers make mistakes that delay production. The most common mistake is leaving measurements blank. A tech pack with blank measurements is not a tech pack; it is a sketch. The factory cannot cut a pattern without measurements, so they will either ask for them or use their own. Both scenarios delay the sample. Another mistake is using vague descriptions for materials. "Stretchy fabric" is not a material spec. The factory needs the composition, the weight, the stretch percentage, and the color. A third mistake is not including a tolerance. Without a tolerance, the factory does not know what is acceptable, and they will either over-engineer the garment or produce it too loosely. Both result in a sample that does not fit.
The tech pack is not just a document; it is a communication tool. It is the way that you, the buyer, communicate your design intent to the factory. The clearer the communication, the better the result. A tech pack that is clear, complete, and detailed will result in a sample that matches your design on the first round. A tech pack that is vague, incomplete, or unclear will result in multiple sample rounds, delays, and frustration. The time you spend on the tech pack is time saved in production.
The factory is your partner in the tech pack process. They can review your tech pack and point out any issues before production begins. At our sample room in Dongguan, we review every tech pack that comes in and flag any missing information or potential issues. We do this because we want the sample to come out right the first time, and we know that a clear tech pack is the key. If you are unsure about a measurement or a material, ask the factory. They have experience with a wide range of garments and can provide guidance. The tech pack is a collaborative document, and the best results come from collaboration between the buyer and the factory.
The Bottom Line on Tech Packs
A tech pack is the most important document in apparel production. It is the blueprint for your garment, and it determines whether the final product matches your design intent. A complete tech pack includes a flat sketch, a bill of materials, graded measurements, construction details, and a label and packaging spec. It is clear, detailed, and accurate. It is the result of time and effort spent on the front end of the production process, and it saves time and money on the back end. If you are serious about producing a garment that sells, invest the time in a complete tech pack. The factory is ready to help, but the spec is yours to provide.
What to send us
If the specifications above match what you are sourcing, send your tech pack to Orange Sea Clothing. If the pack is not written yet, sketches and a reference sample are enough to start — sample development covers the design review, fabric and trim sourcing, pattern making and the first prototype, so you see fit and construction before you commit to a production run.
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