Knitwear Tech Pack: How to Request an Accurate Factory Quote

 

Reviewed by: YouTricot Knitwear Development Team
Last updated: July 2026

A knitwear factory can provide a price from a sketch or a few reference photos. But that price is usually an early estimate, not a reliable production quotation.

The reason is simple: a photo does not confirm the yarn, machine gauge, stitch density, garment weight, measurements, finishing standard, packaging or quantity split. If those inputs are unclear, each supplier fills the gaps with its own assumptions. The result is a group of quotes that may look comparable but are actually based on different products.

This guide explains how to prepare a knitwear tech pack and RFQ package that gives factories enough information to assess feasibility, calculate consumption and quote accurately.

Quick Answer: What Should You Send a Knitwear Factory?

For an accurate quote, send:

• A clearly versioned knitwear tech pack

• Technical flats showing front, back and construction details

• A measurement specification with tolerances

• Yarn, colour, gauge and stitch requirements

• Artwork, labels, trims and packaging details

• Testing and inspection expectations

• Quantity by style, colour and size

• Sample timing, bulk delivery target, destination and trade terms

If a decision is not final, write “factory to recommend” instead of leaving it blank. This tells the supplier what needs a proposal and prevents hidden assumptions.

Tech Pack vs. RFQ: Why You Need Both

A tech pack and an RFQ are related, but they answer different questions.

A tech pack explains what you want to make. It covers the garment’s construction, materials, measurements, colours, artwork and trims.

An RFQ, or request for quotation, explains what you want the supplier to price. It covers quantities, sample requirements, destination, timeline and commercial terms.

Think of the tech pack as the product definition and the RFQ as the commercial brief. Sending both together gives factories the best chance of quoting the same scope.

1. Start With Clear Style and Version Information

Every file should identify the product and its current revision.

Include:

• Style name

• Internal style number

• Season

• Version number

• Revision date

• Development status

For example:

Style: Women’s Crewneck Cardigan
Style No.: WT-SS26-014
Version: V03
Status: RFQ
Date: 30 July 2026

Version control matters because knitwear development often changes quickly. If one factory prices Version 02 while another makes a sample from Version 03, neither price nor sample can be compared fairly.

Use one current file name, such as:

WT-SS26-014_Cardigan_V03_2026-07-30.pdf

Avoid names such as final_final_new2.pdf.

2. Use Technical Flats to Define Construction

Reference images are useful for communicating mood and silhouette, but they should not be the only instruction.

A knitwear technical flat should show the front and back of the garment, with detail views where necessary. Identify:

• Neckline shape and rib width

• Shoulder construction

• Sleeve shape and cuff finish

• Hem treatment

• Plackets, pockets, slits and openings

• Logo, badge and label placement

• Stitch or colour-block locations

The purpose of a flat is not to make the garment look fashionable. Its purpose is to help the factory understand how the garment must be knitted, linked, finished and measured.

3. Define Yarn Before You Discuss Price

For knitwear, yarn is one of the biggest drivers of unit cost, lead time and final quality.

Where possible, specify:

• Fibre composition

• Preferred yarn count

• Preferred yarn mill or country of origin

• Yarn-dyed, piece-dyed or mélange effect

• Colour requirements

• Recycled, certified or traceable material requirements

• Target hand feel

Hand feel is especially useful when the exact yarn has not been selected. Terms such as soft, dry, crisp, lofty, compact or brushed help the factory propose suitable alternatives.

Do not guess a yarn count if you are unsure. Instead, define the fibre content, intended hand feel, market level and performance expectation. Ask the factory to quote two or three yarn options separately.

4. Specify Gauge, Stitch and Garment Construction

Gauge alone does not define a sweater.

For example, two 12GG sweaters may use different yarn thicknesses, stitch densities, finishes and construction methods. They can look very different and have very different costs.

Your brief should cover:

• Machine gauge, such as 5GG, 7GG, 12GG or 14GG

• Main stitch structure, such as jersey, rib, cable, pointelle, jacquard or intarsia

• Fully fashioned, cut-and-sewn or knit-to-shape construction

• Shape-critical increases and decreases

• Rib dimensions and finishing method

• Jacquard repeat size and colour count

For custom jacquard and intarsia, attach editable artwork whenever possible. A clear repeat chart reduces interpretation risk and improves the accuracy of sample pricing.

5. Make the Measurement Sheet Specific

A sketch cannot replace a measurement specification.

Your measurement sheet should include:

• Base size

• Point-of-measure descriptions

• Finished garment measurements

• Tolerances

• Grade rules or a complete size range

• Measuring method for stretch areas

Define how each point is measured. For example, “body length” needs a start and end point, while “chest width” needs a clear position on the garment.

For rib hems, cuffs, fitted cardigans and stretch areas, state whether measurements are taken relaxed, stretched or after washing.

6. Include Colour, Artwork, Branding and Packaging

Colour should be supported by Pantone references, approved lab dips, physical swatches or existing production standards. Screen colours can communicate direction, but they are not reliable production standards.

For every colourway, identify:

• Main body colour

• Contrast colours

• Stripe order or jacquard placement

• Artwork size and location

• Embroidery, patch or print requirements

• Colour approval process

Also include any private-label requirements:

• Main label

• Care label

• Size label

• Hangtag

• Barcode sticker

• Country-of-origin information

Packaging should be included at RFQ stage, not after bulk approval. State whether garments must be folded, hung, bagged, ticketed or packed in retailer-ready cartons.

7. Agree Quality Expectations Before Yarn Booking

“Good quality” is not a production standard.

State how quality will be evaluated. Depending on the product and sales market, requirements may include:

• Pilling performance

• Dimensional change after washing

• Colour fastness

• Appearance after washing

• Restricted-substance requirements

• Final inspection method and AQL level

If you use AQL, define the inspection level, defect categories and acceptance limits. AQL does not mean zero defects; it is a sampling method that needs a clear buyer acceptance standard.

For market-specific labelling or compliance requirements, confirm the final obligation with your compliance partner before production.

8. Show Quantities by Colour and Size

A total order quantity is not enough for a factory to calculate a realistic price.

Share the quantity split by style, colour and size. For example:

Colour	XS	S	M	L	XL	Total
Navy	80	160	220	140	60	660
Oatmeal	60	120	180	120	40	520
Total	140	280	400	260	100	1,180

MOQ can change because of yarn mill minimums, colour count, dyeing, machine setup, trims, sample complexity and size splits. Ask suppliers to show the cost impact at different quantity levels when you are testing a new style or market.

9. Clarify Sampling, Lead Time and Delivery Terms

Your RFQ should state:

• Required sample type: proto, fit, salesman, pre-production or size set

• Required sample date

• Expected bulk delivery date

• Shipping destination

• Preferred Incoterms, such as EXW, FOB or DDP

• Whether sample fees can be credited against a bulk order

• Whether yarn booking needs approval before production

Ask the factory to separate sample cost, development lead time and bulk lead time. A complex knitwear sample may require programming, yarn sourcing, hand linking, washing trials and multiple approvals. These costs should not be hidden in one vague figure.

10. Compare Quotes on the Same Basis

The lowest quote is only useful if every factory is quoting the same product scope.

Before choosing a supplier, compare:

• Fibre composition and yarn source

• Gauge, stitch and density

• Linking, washing, pressing and finishing

• Labels, trims and packaging

• Included and excluded testing

• Sample rounds included

• MOQ definition

• Lead-time starting point

• Shipping terms

• Potential extra costs

The simplest method is to ask every supplier to complete the same RFQ cover sheet. This makes missing items visible before sample development begins.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using photos as the entire brief

Photos do not define yarn, gauge, stitch density, construction or fit tolerance.

Leaving decisions blank

If something is undecided, label it clearly and ask the factory for options.

Requesting one “all-in” number

Ask for a practical breakdown of yarn, knitting, trims, finishing, packaging, testing and sample costs where possible.

Comparing prices at different quantities

MOQ, colour splits and size ratios can significantly change the unit price.

Defining quality after bulk production starts

Testing, labelling and inspection expectations should be agreed before yarn is booked.

A Simple RFQ Email Template

Subject: RFQ Request - [Style Name / Style Number]

Hello [Factory Contact],

Please find attached our RFQ package for [Style Name / Style Number].

The package includes the tech pack, measurement specification, yarn and stitch requirements, colour and artwork references, BOM, packaging requirements, testing expectations, quantity breakdown and delivery target.

Please confirm:

1. Feasibility and recommended construction changes

2. MOQ by style and colour

3. Sample cost and development lead time

4. Bulk unit price at the requested quantities

5. Bulk production lead time after approval

6. Quotation terms and exclusions

7. Missing information required for an accurate quote

Please quote against this version only: [Version Number / Date].

Best regards,
[Name]
[Company]

Final Takeaway

A strong knitwear tech pack is not about making a document longer. It is about making the important decisions visible before the factory commits materials, sampling time and production capacity.

When your RFQ clearly defines the product, quantity, quality expectations and commercial conditions, suppliers can quote more accurately and your team can compare the answers with confidence.

Read the Original Article

For the full online guide and more knitwear sourcing resources, read the original article:

https://youtricot.com/knitwear-tech-pack-rfq-checklist/