Product Development Toolkit

Section 1: Product Development Timeline

Every product moves through six stages. Map out your timeline here to stay on track and avoid the most common founder mistake: starting production without finishing development.

6-Stage Development Gantt Chart

Stage	Key Tasks	Start Date	End Date	Owner	Status
1. Concept & Research	Mood board, trend research, customer insight, initial sketches
2. Design & Tech Pack	Final sketches, measurements, fabric selection, tech pack creation
3. Sourcing	Fabric sourcing, trim sourcing, supplier quotes, MOQ negotiations
4. Sampling	First sample, fit session, revisions, second sample, approval
5. Pre-Production	Grading, marker making, fabric booking, trim ordering, lab dips
6. Production & QC	Bulk production, in-line QC, final QC, packing, shipping

Key Milestones

Milestone	Target Date	Actual Date	Notes
Tech pack complete
Fabric booked
First sample received
Sample approved
Production starts
Goods received
Launch date

Bhavna's Tip: Always add 2-3 weeks buffer to your timeline. Fabric delays, sampling revisions, and shipping surprises are not exceptions — they are the norm. Build them into your plan from day one.

Section 2: Tech Pack Template

A tech pack is the blueprint your manufacturer uses to produce your garment. Every detail matters. Complete one tech pack per style.

Style Information

Style name:

Style number:

Season:

Category:

Designer:

Date created:

Version:

Design Sketches

Front View

Paste or draw front sketch here

Back View

Paste or draw back sketch here

Design Notes / Construction Details:

Measurement Specification Table

Point of Measure	XS	S	M	L	XL	Tolerance +/-
Chest (1" below armhole)
Waist (at natural waist)
Hip (at fullest point)
Shoulder width
Sleeve length
Garment length (HPS to hem)
Neck opening
Armhole
Hem width
Cuff opening

All measurements in centimetres unless otherwise stated.

Fabric Specification

Detail	Specification
Fabric name / type
Composition
Weight (GSM)
Width
Colour / Pantone reference
Supplier name
Supplier reference
Price per metre
MOQ
Care instructions

Trim Details

Trim Type	Description	Colour	Supplier	Cost
Buttons
Zippers
Thread
Elastic
Interfacing
Other:

Label Placement & Packaging

Main label position:

Care label position:

Size label position:

Hang tag details:

Folding instructions:

Packaging (polybag, tissue, box):

Colour References

Colourway Name	Pantone Reference	Fabric Dye Lot	Approved (Y/N)

Section 2B: Comprehensive Tech Spec for Manufacturer

This is a manufacturer-ready tech spec — far more detailed than the blank template above. It includes everything your factory needs to quote, source, and produce your garment. Below is a fully worked example for a men's performance golf polo shirt.

When to use this: Send this level of detail when you are moving from sampling into production, or when working with a new manufacturer for the first time. The more information you provide upfront, the fewer rounds of back-and-forth you will need.

A. Product Overview

Field	Detail
Product Name	Men's Performance Golf Polo
Style Number	GP-2026-001
Season / Collection	SS26 — Fairway Collection
Category	Men's Polo Shirt — Sportswear
Fit / Silhouette	Slim Athletic Fit
Size Range	S, M, L, XL, XXL
Sample Size	M (all samples to be made in M unless stated)
Date Created	15 March 2026
Revision	v1.0
Designer / Brand	BuildTheDreamBrand
Contact	hello@bhavna.com

B. Design Description & Sketches

Garment description: Classic men's polo shirt designed for golf and smart-casual wear. Slim athletic fit with performance fabric. 3-button placket, ribbed knit collar, ribbed sleeve cuffs, embroidered logo on left chest, curved hem with side vents.

Front View

Front Details:

3-button placket, 17 cm length (M), 3.5 cm width
Flat-knit ribbed collar, 3.5 cm height, self-fabric
Buttons: 3 x pearl-effect polyester, 11 mm, 4-hole
Left chest embroidery: brand logo, 3 cm x 3 cm
No chest pocket
Set-in short sleeves with ribbed cuffs, 2.5 cm
Curved hem, side vents 5 cm with bartack reinforcement

Back View

Back Details:

Clean back, no print or embroidery
Yoke seam across upper back
Centre back neck: locker loop (optional)
Back body 2 cm longer than front (curved hem)
Main label at centre back neck

Construction Detail — Collar & Placket:

Collar: flat-knit rib, will not curl after 10+ washes. Self-fabric, no contrast.
Under-collar: self-fabric. No collar stays (soft collar).
Placket: self-fabric, single-needle topstitch both sides. Clean finish inside.
Button spacing: evenly distributed across 17 cm placket (M size).

Construction Detail — Sleeve & Hem:

Set-in sleeve. Straight sleeve hem with ribbed cuff.
Sleeve cuff: flat-knit rib, 2.5 cm width, snug but not tight.
Body hem: 1 cm twin-needle coverseam. Curved with 5 cm side vents.
Bartack at top of each side vent for reinforcement.

C. Fabric Specification

Detail	Specification
Fabric Name / Type	Performance pique knit — honeycomb texture
Composition	92% Polyester / 8% Elastane
Weight	180 GSM (+/- 5%)
Width	150 cm
Performance Properties	Moisture-wicking, quick-dry, UPF 30+, anti-odour
Stretch	4-way stretch, minimum 15% extension
Shrinkage (max)	3% lengthwise, 2% widthwise after 5 washes at 30°C
Pilling Resistance	Grade 4 minimum (Martindale method, 5000 cycles)
Colourfastness to Washing	Grade 4 minimum (ISO 105-C06)
Colourfastness to Rubbing	Dry: Grade 4 \| Wet: Grade 3-4 minimum
Supplier	TBC — send 3 x lab dip samples for approval before bulk
Care Instructions	Machine wash 30°C, do not tumble dry, cool iron, do not bleach

D. Colourway Specification

Colourway	Pantone Reference (TCX)	Thread Match	Button Match	Lab Dip Status
Navy Blue	19-4024 TCX (Estate Blue)	Match to fabric	Match to fabric	Pending
White	11-0601 TCX (Bright White)	Match to fabric	Match to fabric	Pending
Forest Green	18-0135 TCX (Treetop)	Match to fabric	Match to fabric	Pending

All colourways require lab dip approval before bulk fabric is cut. Attach physical Pantone swatch chips with order.

E. Measurement Specification (cm, measured flat)

Point of Measure	S	M	L	XL	XXL	Grade	Tolerance +/-
Chest (1" below armhole, half)	50	53	56	59	62	3 cm	1.0
Body Length (HPS to hem, front)	70	72	74	76	78	2 cm	1.0
Body Length (HPS to hem, back)	72	74	76	78	80	2 cm	1.0
Shoulder Width (seam to seam)	43	45	47	49	51	2 cm	0.5
Sleeve Length (shoulder seam to cuff)	22	23	24	25	26	1 cm	0.5
Sleeve Opening (at cuff, half)	18	19	20	21	22	1 cm	0.5
Armhole (curved, half)	22	23	24	25	26	1 cm	0.5
Hem Width (half)	49	52	55	58	61	3 cm	1.0
Neck Opening (full circumference)	40	42	44	46	48	2 cm	0.5
Collar Height	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	—	0.2
Placket Length	16	17	17	18	18	~0.5	0.5
Placket Width	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	—	0.2
Side Vent Length	5	5	5	5	5	—	0.3
Cuff Rib Width	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	—	0.2

F. Trims, Labels & Hardware

Trim	Description	Placement	Supplier / Ref
Buttons	3 x pearl-effect polyester, 11 mm, 4-hole. Colour matched to each colourway. Must withstand 22 N pull force.	Centre front placket, evenly spaced	TBC
Thread	Core-spun polyester, 40/2, colour matched to fabric	All seams	TBC
Main Label	Woven damask, 4 cm x 2 cm. White text on navy ground. Brand logo + "Made in Portugal"	Centre back neck, folded	TBC
Care Label	Printed satin, fibre content + care symbols + "Made in Portugal". Meets EU Regulation 1007/2011	Left side seam, 8 cm below armhole	TBC
Size Label	Heat-transfer print: S / M / L / XL / XXL	Centre back, 1 cm below main label	TBC
Hang Tag	Recycled card, 300 GSM, 6 cm x 9 cm. Brand logo, fabric info, care icons, sustainability message. Attached with natural jute string	Left side seam, through buttonhole of tag	TBC
Embroidery	Brand logo, 3 cm x 3 cm, max 8,000 stitches. Thread colour: navy colourway = white; white colourway = navy; green colourway = white	Left chest, 8 cm from placket, 6 cm below shoulder seam	TBC

G. Construction Specification

Detail	Specification
Seam Type (body)	4-thread overlock on all internal seams
Seam Allowance	1 cm throughout
Stitch Count (SPI)	12 stitches per inch
Topstitch — Placket	Single needle, 3 mm from edge, both sides
Topstitch — Collar	Single needle, 3 mm from collar join seam
Hem Finish	1 cm twin-needle coverseam
Cuff Finish	Ribbed cuff attached with 4-thread overlock, no topstitch
Shoulder Seam	Taped with self-fabric tape, 1.2 cm width, for stability
Side Vent	5 cm open, bartack at top of vent both sides
Yoke Seam	Clean-finished internal seam, pressed down

H. Packaging & Shipping

Detail	Specification
Individual Packing	Retail fold, collar up, tissue paper insert. Individual biodegradable polybag with size sticker.
Polybag Specification	Transparent, biodegradable, self-adhesive seal. Warning text printed. Size label visible.
Hang Tag Attachment	Natural jute string through left side seam loop
Master Carton	Double-walled corrugated, 20 units per carton. Sorted by colourway then size.
Carton Marking	Brand name, style number, colourway, size breakdown, carton number (1 of X), gross/net weight, country of origin
Size Ratio per Carton	S:2 / M:5 / L:6 / XL:5 / XXL:2 = 20 units

I. Testing & Compliance Requirements

Fabric testing: Pilling (Martindale 5000 cycles, Grade 4+), colourfastness to wash (ISO 105-C06, Grade 4+), colourfastness to rubbing (dry 4+, wet 3-4+), dimensional stability after 5 washes at 30°C (max 3% length, 2% width)
Button pull test: 22 N minimum per button
Seam strength: 80 N minimum (ISO 13935-2)
Labelling compliance: EU Regulation 1007/2011 (fibre content), UK Textile Products Labelling Regulations
REACH compliance: Restricted substances in line with EU REACH (EC 1907/2006)
Azo dyes: Must be azo-free (below detection limits)

Provide test reports from an accredited lab (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) before bulk shipment.

J. Approval & Version History

Version	Date	Changes
v1.0	15 Mar 2026	Initial tech spec issued to manufacturer
v1.1
v1.2

Notes:

"The difference between a £500 sampling disaster and a first-sample success is almost always the tech spec. Every hour you spend on this document saves you a week of back-and-forth with your manufacturer." — Bhavna Rishi

Section 3: Sampling Budget Calculator

Sampling costs can escalate quickly if you are not tracking them. Use this table to budget and compare estimated vs actual costs for each style.

Sampling Cost Tracker

Item	Estimated Cost	Actual Cost	Variance
Pattern making	£	£	£
First sample (toile / muslin)	£	£	£
Fabric for sampling	£	£	£
Trims for sampling	£	£	£
Second sample (revised)	£	£	£
Third sample (if needed)	£	£	£
Fit model / fitting session	£	£	£
Shipping / courier costs	£	£	£
Lab dips / strike-offs	£	£	£
Grading	£	£	£
TOTAL ESTIMATED		TOTAL ACTUAL	VARIANCE
£		£	£

Bhavna's Tip: Budget for 2-3 rounds of sampling per style. Very few products are perfect on the first sample. That is normal — not a failure. Factor it into your costs from the start.

Section 4: 25-Point Quality Control Checklist

Quality issues destroy trust faster than anything else. Use this checklist for every sample and every production batch. Check each item and note any defects.

A. Fabric Quality (8 Points)

Fabric weight matches specification (within tolerance)
Fabric colour matches approved swatch or Pantone
No pilling, snags, or surface defects
Print alignment is correct (if applicable)
Print colour matches approved strike-off (if applicable)
Fabric has been pre-shrunk or shrinkage is within tolerance
No colour bleeding when rubbed with damp white cloth
Fabric hand-feel matches approved swatch

B. Construction Quality (10 Points)

All seams are straight and even
Stitch count per inch matches specification
No loose threads or unfinished seams
Buttonholes are clean and correctly sized
Zipper opens and closes smoothly
All measurements are within tolerance (check against tech pack)
Symmetry check: left and right sides match
Hem is even and at correct height
Lining (if applicable) sits correctly and does not pull
All trims are securely attached

C. Packaging & Presentation (7 Points)

Correct care label with accurate fibre content
Main brand label correctly positioned
Size label present and correct
Hang tags attached (if applicable)
Garment is clean, pressed, and folded correctly
Polybag or packaging meets specification
No stains, marks, or odours

QC Summary

Style name / number:

Date of inspection:

Inspector:

Total defects found:

Overall verdict: Pass / Conditional Pass / Fail (circle one)

Actions required:

Section 5: Sample Review Feedback Form

Use this form every time you receive a sample back from your manufacturer. Be specific — vague feedback leads to vague results.

Sample Details

Style name:

Sample round (1st / 2nd / 3rd):

Date received:

Manufacturer:

Review by Category

Category	Rating (1-5)	Comments / Changes Needed
Overall fit
Fabric quality
Construction / stitching
Colour accuracy
Measurements (vs tech pack)
Trims & hardware
Labels & packaging
Overall impression

Specific Revisions Required

#	Area	Current Issue	Required Change	Priority (H/M/L)
1
2
3
4
5
6

Decision

APPROVED — Proceed to production as is
APPROVED WITH MINOR CHANGES — Proceed once revisions confirmed
REVISE AND RESUBMIT — New sample required before approval
REJECTED — Fundamental issues, do not proceed

Signed:

Date:

"A tech pack is your love letter to the manufacturer. The more detail you give, the closer the sample comes back to your vision." — Bhavna Rishi

Section 1: Product Development Timeline

6-Stage Development Gantt Chart

Key Milestones

Section 2: Tech Pack Template

Style Information

Design Sketches

Measurement Specification Table

Fabric Specification

Trim Details

Label Placement & Packaging

Colour References

Section 2B: Comprehensive Tech Spec for Manufacturer

A. Product Overview

B. Design Description & Sketches

C. Fabric Specification

D. Colourway Specification

E. Measurement Specification (cm, measured flat)

F. Trims, Labels & Hardware

G. Construction Specification

H. Packaging & Shipping

I. Testing & Compliance Requirements

J. Approval & Version History

Section 3: Sampling Budget Calculator

Sampling Cost Tracker

Section 4: 25-Point Quality Control Checklist

A. Fabric Quality (8 Points)

B. Construction Quality (10 Points)

C. Packaging & Presentation (7 Points)

QC Summary

Section 5: Sample Review Feedback Form

Sample Details

Review by Category

Specific Revisions Required

Decision

Ready to Build Your Dream Brand?