Spec Sheet

Term from Apparel Manufacturing industry explained for recruiters

A Spec Sheet, also known as a specification sheet or tech pack, is a detailed document that serves as a blueprint for making clothing items. It contains all the necessary information that factories need to produce a garment exactly as designed. Think of it as a recipe that includes measurements, materials, construction details, and special instructions. Fashion companies use spec sheets to communicate their requirements clearly to manufacturers, ensuring that products are made consistently and correctly. This is similar to how architects use blueprints for buildings.

Examples in Resumes

Created and maintained Spec Sheets for seasonal collections of women's wear

Reviewed and updated Specification Sheets for 200+ styles annually

Developed Tech Packs and Spec Sheets for international manufacturing partners

Typical job title: "Technical Designers"

Also try searching for:

Technical Designer Garment Technician Product Developer Specification Writer Technical Package Developer Product Specification Specialist Garment Technical Designer

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you manage spec sheets for a large collection with tight deadlines?

Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with organizing multiple spec sheets, prioritizing workload, managing team resources, and implementing efficient review processes while maintaining accuracy.

Q: How do you handle specification conflicts between design vision and manufacturing capabilities?

Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to balancing creative design requirements with practical manufacturing constraints, including communication strategies with both designers and factories.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What key information must be included in a spec sheet?

Expected Answer: Should list essential elements like measurements, materials, construction details, washing instructions, and quality standards, explaining why each is important.

Q: How do you ensure accuracy in measurements across different sizes?

Expected Answer: Should explain grading rules, size charts, and quality control processes used to maintain consistent measurements across size ranges.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What software tools do you use for creating spec sheets?

Expected Answer: Should be familiar with common industry software like Adobe Illustrator, Excel, or specialized PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems used for spec sheets.

Q: How do you organize information in a spec sheet?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic spec sheet structure including measurement points, construction details, material requirements, and how to present information clearly.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic garment measurements
  • Understanding of garment construction
  • Knowledge of fabric types
  • Basic computer skills for spec creation

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Detailed technical specifications writing
  • Size grading knowledge
  • Communication with manufacturers
  • Quality control standards

Senior (5+ years)

  • Advanced problem-solving in production issues
  • Team management
  • Process improvement
  • Complex garment specification expertise

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Unable to read or create basic measurement charts
  • Lack of knowledge about garment construction terms
  • Poor attention to detail
  • No experience with technical drawing or sketching
  • Limited understanding of fabric properties