"Just send me your design" is what every factory says. What they actually need is more specific: a tech pack. Without it, you'll go through 4-6 sample iterations instead of 1-2, costing weeks and hundreds of dollars per iteration.
What is a tech pack — and what it isn't
A tech pack is a structured document containing all the technical specifications a factory needs to produce your handbag without asking questions. It's not a design portfolio; it's a manufacturing brief.
A complete handbag tech pack contains 8 sections:
1. Cover page
- Product name and SKU
- Brand name and contact
- Date and version number
- Designer/owner signature
- Production stage (initial, revised, approved-for-production)
2. Flat sketches (front/back/side/interior)
Black and white line drawings showing:
- Front view with all visible details
- Back view with closure mechanism
- Side view showing depth and gussets
- Bottom view showing feet/base reinforcement
- Interior view showing pockets and lining details
- Strap/handle details (separate drawing)
Hand drawings are acceptable for first iteration; CAD drawings (Illustrator) are preferred for production. Factories struggle most with proportion ambiguity — number all measurements.
3. Dimension specifications
| Dimension | Measurement | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Width (top) | 35 cm | ± 0.5 cm |
| Height | 28 cm | ± 0.5 cm |
| Depth (gusset) | 12 cm | ± 0.3 cm |
| Handle drop | 22 cm | ± 1 cm |
| Strap drop (adjustable) | 45-60 cm | ± 1 cm |
Specify tolerance — without it, factories will use industry standard (±1-2 cm) which can mean your "carefully designed proportions" come out wrong.
4. Bill of Materials (BOM)
Every component listed:
- Outer material: "Premium soft-touch PU, 1.2mm thickness, woven backing, color: Pantone 17-1230 TPX (Mocha Mousse)"
- Lining: "100% polyester, 100gsm, color: matching outer"
- Interior pocket fabric: "Same as lining"
- Thread: "Bonded polyester #20, color: tone-on-tone with outer"
- Reinforcement boards: "1.5mm cardboard, full bottom + side panels"
- Hardware: Each item with material, finish, dimensions, supplier preference
- Zipper: "SBS or YKK #5, length: 25cm, color: matching outer"
- Brand label: "Woven Damask, 4 × 1.5 cm, sewn inside top of front pocket"
5. Construction details
- Stitch density: "10 stitches per 3 cm minimum"
- Edge finishing: "Edge paint, 4 coats, color: tone-on-tone"
- Reinforcement points: Specify where bartack stitching is required (handle attachments, strap rings, gusset corners)
- Lining attachment: "Stitched-in, fully bartacked at seams"
- Bottom feet: "4 metal feet, antique brass, riveted not glued"
6. Hardware specifications
For each piece of hardware:
- Type and function (D-ring, magnetic snap, turn lock, etc.)
- Material (brass, zinc alloy, stainless steel)
- Finish (brushed antique brass, gold plated, gunmetal, etc.)
- Dimensions
- Quantity per bag
- Reference photo or sketch
7. Labeling and packaging
- Interior brand label: dimensions, attachment location, material
- Country of origin label: required wording per destination market
- Care label: material content, washing instructions
- Hangtag: design, material, attachment method
- Dust bag: material, dimensions, branding
- Polybag: branded or plain, gauge
- Carton: dimensions, master pack quantity, labeling requirements
8. Quality requirements
- AQL inspection level (typically AQL 2.5 major, 4.0 minor)
- Material weight test (digital caliper measurement, tolerance)
- Hardware finish requirement (no tarnishing, no protruding edges)
- Stress points (handle attachment must hold 5 kg pull without deformation)
The eight things new brand owners typically miss
- Tolerance ranges. Without specified tolerances, factories use looser industry defaults.
- Edge paint coats. Default is 1-2 coats (cheap). Specify 3-4 coats for premium quality.
- Lining attachment method. Glued (cheap) vs stitched-in (premium) — huge quality difference.
- Reinforcement boards. Without specification, factories use thinner cardboard (cheaper, less structure).
- Thread weight and color. Specifying #20 vs #30 matters for stitch appearance.
- Bartack stitching points. Without specification, factories minimize bartacks (looks cleaner but less durable).
- Specific Pantone color reference. "Light brown" can mean 50 different shades; Pantone TPX code removes ambiguity.
- Country of origin label wording. Different markets require different wording — "Made in China" / "Hecho en China" / "Made in P.R.C." etc.
Tech pack tools
- Adobe Illustrator — industry standard for flat sketches and tech sheets. Steep learning curve.
- Procreate (iPad) — surprisingly capable for tech sketches.
- Templates from sewport.com, contractoryclothing.com — free and paid handbag tech pack templates.
- Hire a freelance handbag tech pack designer — $200-$600 on Fiverr/Upwork. Worth it for first product.
Approval workflow with the factory
- Submit tech pack v1 → factory feedback (typically 2-3 day turnaround)
- Revise to v2 → factory confirms feasibility, quotes price and MOQ
- Approve v2 → factory makes first sample (7-15 days)
- Receive sample → measure against tech pack, mark deviations
- Revisions to v3 if needed → second sample
- Approve final sample (often called "golden sample") → bulk production begins
A well-prepared tech pack means 1-2 sample iterations. A vague tech pack means 4-6 iterations.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to hire a designer to make a tech pack?
Not strictly. For first product, a clear hand-sketched flat with detailed measurements + BOM list + construction notes can work. For ongoing production or larger collections, hiring a freelance handbag tech pack designer (\$200-\$600 on Fiverr/Upwork) saves time and reduces sample iterations.
What is the most common omission in first-time tech packs?
Edge paint specification. Default factory edge paint is 1-2 coats (cracks within 6 months). Specifying "3-4 coat hand-burnished edge paint" upgrades durability significantly. Other common omissions: bartack stitching locations, lining attachment method, reinforcement board thickness.
Can I send reference photos instead of CAD drawings?
For initial discussion, yes. For production, the factory needs flat-line drawings with dimensions and construction details. Reference photos help with aesthetic direction but cannot replace technical drawings — angle distortion makes photos unreliable for dimensions.
What software do most professional handbag tech packs use?
Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard for flat sketches and tech sheet layout. Some designers use Procreate (iPad) for sketches then transfer to Illustrator. CAD software like Rhino is occasionally used for highly technical or molded designs (like EVA jelly bags).
How does a "golden sample" work in production?
After sample iterations are complete, the final approved sample is designated the "golden sample" — kept at the factory as the production reference. All bulk pieces must match the golden sample in dimensions, material, color, construction. QC measures bulk against golden sample, not against the original tech pack.
Have a sourcing question for YANYAN?
We're a 16-year Guangzhou handbag factory. Send your tech pack, target MOQ, and destination port — we reply within 12 hours with FOB quote and lead time.