Technical Flats are used for a variety of purposes that go into the specifications and or final Tech Pack.

• Cost sheets
• Pattern cards
• Callouts: Printing, embroidery etc.
• Line sheets
• Specification sheets
• Presentation boards 

 

Tech Packs include all the above information plus sewing and finishing details. Tech Packs are also used as a legal document of how to manufacturer any type of apparel. This legal document will be used as a form of contract to be followed by the source of production.

Tech Packs include all the above, with the style’s precise measurements and a precise front and back sketch, a Technical Flat Sketch, including construction details, grading rules and call-outs, plus a Product Details page, listing all of the materials and component specifications. Generally the technical flat is a black and white line drawing, not stylized, but they can be colored with a rendering of the fabrication or a scan of a print or fabric

Once the sample yardage is acquired, the first pattern is made from the designer’s first sketches. In order to produce a good first pattern, the patternmaker must be able to understand the design that is to be translated into a pattern, and then into a first sewn sample.  Once the sample is accepted into the line a technical drawing) of the garment is sketched with finished dimensions and sewing details, topstitching, zipper length, etc.  If you are trained in draping, and are able to make your own patterns, this will obviously save you a great deal of money.  You will then be more likely to achieve your vision of how you would like your garments to look and be produced, without having requiring the garment to be remade a number of times before it is to your satisfaction.  The next step is to create the first sample.  The contractor that you plan to use for your production, (not necessarily a sample maker) can often also make the first samples.  This has the added advantage of the contractor being able to cost the garment for production.  Using this method allows the contractors to become aware of any problems involved with sewing a particular style, and enables them to give a fair estimate of the costing.  As a rule of thumb, sewing the first sample is usually two to three times the price of sewing a garment in production.

Sample Techpack

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by Andrew Asch, Retail Editor (California Apparel News)

West Hollywood, Calif., is on track to become the first city in America to enforce a ban on new fur sales.

The stylish city is a location where designer boutiques such as Balenciaga, Kitson, Maxfield and 3.1 Phillip Lim sell fashion to celebrities, tourists and affluent locals. But it also has been the vanguard of the animal-rights movement since the city’s incorporation in 1984. Councilmember John D’Amico campaigned on issues such as animal rights before he was elected to the City Council in March 2011.

West Hollywood’s fur ban was approved in November 2011, yet the City Council wanted to find out how the ban would affect the retailers it represents. The council called for an economic-impact survey. If retailers told pollsters that a ban on the sale of new fur clothing would seriously damage their business and the West Hollywood economy, city councilmembers promised they would consider changes in the law. CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE

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As the world gets small the apparel and fashion industry becomes much more integrated as a Global platform. Business people who work internationally, or work with people who are internationally based need to know how to interact before they can conduct any business in foreign parts. Proper business communication includes everything from emails to eye contact, and the rules of what is “right” in other countries can be daunting to navigate and understand.

I have been fortunate to have traveled internationally both for personnel and for business reasons. This year alone I have been to Peru, South Africa, Mozambique and the UK three times. If you think good etiquette is reserved for the aristocracy, think again. Poor business etiquette can cause serious offence. And in a working environment, it may mean a loss of business. By etiquette we’re not just talking about which fork to use at dinner. It involves knowing how to behave in social situations and business meetings, dressing appropriately, being sensitive to cultural differences and watching what you put in emails. Maintaining good business etiquette is vital to your career and business. Good business etiquette is about presenting yourself in a way that makes your clients and colleagues take you seriously. It’s about being comfortable around people and making others feel comfortable around you.

International business etiquette manifests in many shapes and sizes. Throughout the world people from different cultures have varying etiquette rules around areas such as personal space, communication, gift giving, food, business meetings and much more. For those wanting to make a good impression and understanding of international business etiquette is crucial.

Business Card Etiquette

When you exchange business cards do you simply pass it over and forget about it? In many countries the business card has certain etiquette rules. For example in the Arab world you would never give or receive a business card with your left hand. In China and Japan you should try and use both hands to give and receive. In addition it is always good etiquette to examine the card and make a positive comment on it. Whereas in the US and UK it may be OK to sling the business card into a pocket, in many countries you should always treat it with much more respect such as storing it in a business card holder.

The Etiquette of Personal Space

How close do you stand to people? Is it impolite to touch somebody? What about gender differences? In the Middle East you may get very touchy-feely with the men, yet one should never touch a woman. A slap on the back may be OK in Mexico but in China it is a serious no-no. Touch someone on the head in Thailand or Indonesia and you would have caused great insult. Without an appreciation of international business etiquette, these things would never be known.

The Etiquette of Gift Giving

Many countries such as China and Japan have many etiquette rules surrounding the exchange of business gifts. International business etiquette allows you an insight into what to buy, how to give a gift, how to receive, whether to open in front of the giver and what gifts not to buy. Great examples of gifts to avoid are anything alcoholic in Muslim countries, anything with four of anything in Japan and clocks in China.

The Etiquette of Communication

Some cultures like to talk loudly (US and Germany), some softly (India and China); some speak directly (Holland and Denmark) others indirectly (UK and Japan); some tolerate interrupting others while speaking (Brazil) others not (Canada); some are very blunt (Greece) and some very flowery (Middle East). All will believe the way they are communicating is fine, but when transferred into an international context this no longer applies. Without the right international business etiquette it is easy to offend.

Someone may very well come across as being rude through a lack of etiquette but this may be because in their culture that behavior is normal. As a result international business etiquette is a key skill for those wanting to be successful when working abroad. Through a great appreciation and understanding of others’ cultures you build stronger and longer lasting business relationships.

I have made the mistake of asking a Chinese business associate how many children he had. This was an insensitive blunder on my part, since I knew that the government limits majority to have only one child.

Having some kind of a basic understanding of International business etiquette will help you build the right bridges to doing business on a Global platform. It will also show respect and a better understanding for all our own strange habits.

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Shopping Shifts East

I was recently cordially invited to attend an invite only event for US companies to present their product for potential investment. There are many new opportunities for US brands to find a Chinese investor. They are looking for US companies who have begun to experience expansion and growth, plus begun the branding process. US companies should have a viable business and financial plan.

The meeting was planned to meet with a business delegation from Shanxi Province of China for business networking to interact and explore opportunities between my business or any within my FBI members network ready for this opportunity. The Chinese companies are leaders and best performers in their industry and sectors. I had opportunity to present and establish contacts and discuss in depth with 12 business owners and/or executives in a Round Table session, where I could exchange information with them in terms of purchasing and sourcing, new product lines, R&D needs, market trends, potential investments, and form partnerships.

 Based in Beijing, this investment company is one of the most important and visionary companies in China to help Chinese enterprises to implement go-global strategy; to identify and develop diversified international footprints for Chinese companies, and help to stimulate local economy of international markets. It is also the contact point for global businesses to access Chinese companies and products, buying power, and investments. In the past ten years, they have created the largest overseas trade and investment platforms for China, through organizing large scale Chinese merchandise fair and trade show overseas, inventing and creating signature “Dragon Mart” in global markets, and organizing international road shows for enterprises and economic development organizations of China.

This is only the beginning and another example of why we need to grow our partnerships and develop relationships with China. They invest in a US company and then maybe they can get a Green Card! Win, Win!

In my next blog I will explain about another very exciting China Connection I am involved in.

The post Economies and People are Interdependent – The China Connection appeared first on Fashion Business & Design, Starting a Clothing Line | Fashion for Profit.

I think we all agree we have a very huge monster to deal with in China, which we (USA) are for the most part responsible for. However, I think that until USA follows our own laws of compliance in regard to Intellectual Property (IP) we will continue to have a problem internationally.  Additionally, I think it will pay off if the US could take the time to study and understanding international cultures. It is not all about the US!  Education in schools, colleges and within our businesses should focus on further education and incumbent workers training. The same curriculum is often taught for the past 25 years!!! Business and commerce has changed and it is a fact that in recent times it changes daily.

The US would be more advised to think Global in its overall approach in business and exports. It may also be a good idea to be more sensitive to the way business is conducted internationally. Have a cup of tea and take the time to know who you work with. In order for the US to survive our international depression we need to first get a grip here domestically and also understand the amazing opportunities that the US has NOW with exporting US products.  I believe we can survive and ultimately win if we react and adjust but it has to be NOW!

I am so very disappointed that there is a real lack of understanding for the need for domestic manufacturing to bring the jobs back. China is a massive growing economy and although there is much about their culture that is disturbing we should also recognize we have many problems here, which we need to address. Face facts that China is our future consumers. China loves “Made in the USA” and we need to focus and profit from this ASAP. It is a Global economy and we are all partners! I believe if we work together we all win. It will take a team!

Sincerely,
Frances Harder

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 Above Frances Harder Speaks at Magic Seminars

 Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with Frances Harder of Fashion for Profit, Farah Bhatti,Vicki Dallas – FBI Board members and attorneys

Emerging Designers of Magic sponsored by Fashion Business Inc and Baluun

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So many shows and so little time!

I just returned from presenting four seminars at a new two day trade show in NY, the “DG Expo“. A new fabric and trims show that was created by my good friend Susan Power, which she specifically created to highlight fabrics and trims for low minimum orders. Susan created the show out of a demand geared for new creative design driven company who have a hard time finding what they want without having to order 5,000 yards! Susan put herself out on a limb and in the red to fill this fast growing niche! I think she has done a fantastic job, which I think will also be a good business decision. Echoes of Fashion For Profit!!:)

Packing my bags now to fly early tomorrow morning to Vegas for the biggest apparel trade show in the world,  MAGIC International.  I will have a very busy few days presenting two seminars with a variety of industry experts, then also assist in lunching 20 new lines in FBI Emerging Designers -  Launch Pad section of MAGIC WWD. This a whole new concept that allows new companies to show for a first time only price through FBI membership of $800.00. They get a rolling rack and table! Great deal!  We will also be responsible to hold down an info POD in the sourcing section of MAGIC, which is a great resource of information and International sources.

The FBI active board members and members will be meeting and greeting, giving advice and mixing like a cocktail and networking like crazy to help the FBI mission. Then on Thursday evening I will be flying back to LA totally exhausted but from my past experience I will be very glad to have made the extra effort which I now know it takes to achieve anything!

I then have in front of me the LA Fashion Week, LA Textile week,  which is a big deal and lots of work for us to come up with and then to present twice a year three days of one hour seminars. This is then followed by San Francisco Fashion Week, which is then followed by Phoenix Fashion Week…… This work load will then followed by our annual FBI fundraiser on the 16^th October to be held this year at LA’s famous land mark, Union Station. All Aboard is promising to be quiet the event! Stay tuned for more on this exciting event later.

All in all a very busy scheduled for which I am so very grateful that there is a demand for my services and for any of my advice!!

The post It is Show Time – Again!!! appeared first on Fashion Business & Design, Starting a Clothing Line | Fashion for Profit.

The result of preparing a proper cost sheet provides a company with the essential analytical information for Gross Profit auditing controls. The total of all costs related to the production of the products is called COST OF GOODS SOLD referred to in the industry as COGS. The cumulative information for all styles will be reflected in your Financial Statement. The difference between the Cost of Goods Sold and the Wholesale Price of the products being offered to the retail market is the Gross Profit. The percentage between the Cost of Goods Sold and the Wholesale Price reflected in the cumulative sales each season and each year is your profit Margin.

Thus if the Wholesale price of the Garment is $50.00, the Cost of Goods Sold is $25.00.

The difference of $25.00 is the Gross Profit; the Gross Profit is 50%.  The gross profit of $25.00 must also provide the funds to pay the company’s daily overheads, plus sales representative’s commission. This may sound simple but one missed cost or miscalculation can be devastating to your business.

Today’s Demand for Speed to Market

For the most part mass produced clothing is produced off-shore, but some production is coming back! Made in the USA is in demand.  Lower cost of off-shore workers wages has increased. Retailers are buying closer to selling time. Retailers demand for speed to market and smaller orders are in the long run good for the cash flow of the manufacturer.

Many successful companies have fine-tuned their costing department to realize profitability. Others unfortunately, unwittingly consider it more important to concentrate on design and realize too late that the “Business of Fashion” is a business, and ultimately must be about costing to make a profit.

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AUGUST 20 – 23, 2012

MAGIC Time in Vegas. Come and meet Frances Harder author of Fashion For Profit and Founder/Presinet of the Fashion Business Incorproated (FBI) and her team of experts.

SEMINAR: Sourcing Bootcamp – Moderated by Frances Harder
Monday August 20th, 2012
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Seminar Rooms at Sourcing
South Hall, LVCC

SEMINAR: Using Fashion E-Tailing to Expand Your Business – Moderated by Frances Harder
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Mandalay Bay Convention Center

FBI & Fashion For Profit  Info Pod
Come see us at our Resource Desk in Sourcing
August 20 – 23, 2012
Resouce Center at Sourcing

Emerging Designers
We are co-sponsoring 14 Emerging designers at the WWD Magic
August 21 to 23rd
Booth #80700
North Hall, LVCC

Balluun (Industry Partner) & FBI Mixer
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (PST)
Booth #80700
North Hall, LVCC

The post Fashion For Profit EVENTS AT MAGIC August 20 – 23 appeared first on Fashion Business & Design, Starting a Clothing Line | Fashion for Profit.

Fashion Business Inc is featured on Bloomberg Businessweek! Click below to see what they are saying.

Click Here - Fashioning a Textile Business From Scratch -

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