Spec Sheet and Points of Measures for Clothing
TAAS INC. by Nina Nikolic
July 12, 2020
What is Spec Sheet?
The garment Specification Sheet or spec sheet is the most valued part of the tech pack. The Specification sheet is not a tech pack. The spec sheet describes the garment via specific measurements for each point of measure (POM). It is the most precise way to communicate exact details about the clothing sample you want to produce to production and the factory. The garment is measured lying flat on a smooth surface free of wrinkles or bunching.
Garment construction details should be placed on a separate sheet within the tech pack. This page describes the styling (seams such as princess, shaping seams, and detail placements such as pockets, buttons, and zippers) and the description of the stitches included on the garment construction page. For example, the factory will know what to do when describing the bottom hem finish, such as a 5/8” fold back, clean finish with a double-needle or single-needle topstitch.
Specification Sheet Anatomy:
1. POM code
2. POM point of measure description
3. Tolerance
4. Garment measurement
1. POM Code
The point of measure should have its code. The code system can consist of numbers or letters. Each code should represent one specific point of measure. Avoid duplication or over-complication.
There are no specific standards for POM code creation. You can devise any coding system that best suits your brand and create the brand-specific code system you will use for future fashion line development.
You can use numbers only or a combination of letters and numbers to represent specific POM.
2. What is the Point of Measure (POM)?
Points of measure (POM) are descriptions of each measurement point for the garment within the specification sheet (spec sheet). Each POM's description must be precise, standardized, and easily understood by technical, production, and factory teams. The measurements for each POM are recorded in the spec sheet, housed within the technical package. Understanding and conveying to the factory how clothing is measured and described is crucial. How to measure guide usually accompanies the spec sheet. It is a visual guide explaining each point of measure and how to measure it with the sketch or photo of the garment.
POM Descriptions often have standard abbreviations widely used in the apparel industry. The most commonly used ones are:
HPS-High Point shoulder or HSP-High shoulder point
CF-Center Front
CB-Center Back
SS-Side seam
AH-Armhole
NCK-Neck
FND-front neck drop
BND-back neck drop
SLV-Sleeve
3. Tolerance
Tolerance for each point of measure indicates the acceptable number of inches (plus or minus) over specified quality standards. For example, suppose the required measurement for the bust circumference is 38 inches with a +/- tolerance of ½” and the garment QC (quality control) measurement is 38 ½” or 37 ½”. In that case, the garment will pass the quality standard set by you at 38”.
4. Garment Measurement
This column is usually used to enter your sample's expected garment measurements (specs). This information is crucial for the factory to follow. The clothing sample will likely not come in as expected if correct information is not provided.
Best Practices when describing POM-s:
-do write specific descriptions such as the front length from HPS (high point shoulder), bust 1” below the armhole, etc.
-do have a full spec sheet with a carefully crafted point-of-measure description that all vendors will understand.
-do include a how-to-measure guide. This step will ensure spec accuracy throughout the sampling and production process.
-don’t list a few vague POMs when submitting the spec sheets to the factory for sampling or production. You will most likely end up with the garment with the wrong measurements and fit. The most common description mistakes (e.g., length, bust, waist, etc.)
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