A fashion flat sketch is the first step in giving the technical shape of a garment style. The tech pack designer prepares the fashion flat sketch and approves it with the buyer to go ahead further. So, the technical designer should correct and change with the client at this stage. Once it is done, the tech pack designer should go ahead with the tech pack. But if you are not getting your approval at this stage, it will result in long-term work and will take time and money. So, the tech pack designers should approve the fashion flats from the client right from the beginning. Fashion flat sketches should also help in preparing the collection line sheet. This is also useful for marketing your collection to fashion buyers.
What is Fashion Flat Sketches?
Fashion flat sketches are detailed technical drawings of clothing designs. They are created to illustrate how a garment will look when laid flat without being worn by a model. Flat sketches are an essential part of the design process. They provide a clear visual representation of the garment style. So, fashion technical drawings serve as a blueprint for pattern-making and garment construction. It includes important details about a garment, like seams, stitching, buttons, zippers, etc. They also indicate the proportions and placement of the elements in the garment. Flats give a bird’s eye view of the garment construction details.
Fashion designers use flat sketches to communicate their design ideas. The most important part of a fashion tech pack is the flat sketch that tech pack designers use to convey design ideas to pattern makers and manufacturers. Overall, technical flats are a vital tool in the fashion industry. They help designers bring their creative vision to life. Fashion flats also ensure that garments produced are up to the mark and as per the desired specification.
How to Draw Fashion Flat Sketches?
Fashion flat sketches require attention to detail and an understanding of stitching and garment construction. You can prepare technical flat sketches both manually and using CAD. You can start by manually drawing the basic shapes to prepare technical flat sketches. Use light, thin lines to define the shape. Add details such as seams, darts, pleats, pockets, straight lines, and freehand for curved lines. Once the sketch is ready, review it with darker lines to finalize the details. Erase any unnecessary lines and clean up the sketch. You can add colors to the sketch, but this is not mandatory. You can also add shading to give the sketch dimension and depth. Review your sketch to ensure accuracy and make any necessary refinements.
There are several options for CAD design, and each has its specialty. So, choose one that you’re comfortable with and that suits your needs. Every software has almost the same kind of features. So, to start with CAD design, you should start with basic shape creation. Those could be out of a line of bodice, skirt, or bottom. It is the same as a manual process: add the details and embellishment elements. Use the software’s grid and snap tools to ensure accuracy. Go over your sketch by editing it and finalizing the details. You can add shading and colors to your sketch and give the sketch dimension and depth. Finally, Save it and export it to any format like JPEG, PNG, or PDF. The advantage of CAD Tools is it’s super easy to add colors to your sketch. You can do it with a few clicks.
How are Fashion Flats Different from Fashion Illustration?
Fashion flats and fashion illustrations serve different purposes in the fashion design process and differ in style, detail, and presentation:
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Purpose
Fashion flats are technical drawings that communicate details of the garment’s design. They focus on providing precise construction details needed for further processing. In contrast, fashion illustrations are artistic representations of the design. They showcase the creative version of the designer and convey the inspiration behind the collection. Fashion illustrations are often used for marketing and promotion purposes.
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Style
Designers draw fashion flats in a simple style with clean lines and minimal shading. They are meant to be straightforward to understand, focusing on the technical aspects of the garment. On the other hand, fashion illustrations are more artistic and stylized. They often feature amplified proportions, dynamic poses, and elaborate detailing. They are meant to be visually striking and convey a sense of creativity and style.
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Detail
Fashion flats include detailed information about the garment’s construction. Garment construction includes seam lines, stitching details, and fabric texture. They may also include measurements and other technical specifications. Fashion illustrations focus more on capturing the look and feel of the design, so they give less emphasis on specific construction details. They often feature intricate patterns, embellishments, and accessories to enhance the overall aesthetic.
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Presentation
Fashion flats are presented in a standard format. Usually, a fashion flat sketch has the garment’s front, back, and side views. They are often presented in black and white to emphasize the technical details. But, fashion illustrations are presented more artistically and creatively. The focus is to showcase the design in a visually appealing manner. Fashion illustrations may include background elements to enhance the overall presentation.
Importance of Fashion Technical Sketches
Fashion flat sketches are indeed crucial in the apparel design process. They serve as the blueprint for the garment’s technical specifications. Here’s a breakdown of their importance and how they fit into the design process.
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Visual Representation
Technical drawings provide a visual representation of the garment design. They showcase intricate details such as silhouettes, seams, stitching, and embellishments. This helps both designers and manufacturers understand the intended design and construction details. In short, they give a bird’ s-eye view and an idea of the garment and how it should be made and look.
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Technical Details
Flat sketches include essential technical details of the garment, such as seam allowances and construction details. This information is necessary for pattern-making, sample development, and production.
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Communication Tool
It serves as a communication tool between pattern makers, sample makers, and manufacturers. It helps ensure everyone involved is on the same page in the production process. A fashion flat sketch helps understand the requirements and details of garment construction.
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Approval Process
Flat sketches are often used in the approval process. Designers present their designs to clients or buyers for feedback and approval. Upon approval of the flat sketch, the tech packs are prepared. This helps ensure that the final product meets the client’s expectations.
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Collection Line Sheet
Flat sketches for fashion tech packs are also used to make collection line sheets. A collection line sheet is a document showcasing all the collection designs. It is helpful for marketing and presentation purposes and for presenting the collection to buyers and retailers.
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Creative Development
Flat sketches are also used in the creative development process. Designers explore ideas and concepts, experiment with colors, fabrics, and embellishments before finalizing, and present color options using flat sketches.
Fashion flats are technical drawings used for production purposes. They focus on precise construction detailing. Illustrations are more of an artistic representation to showcase a designer’s creative vision. Flat sketches are more technical, whereas illustrations are imaginative and meant to inspire. Flat sketches play a crucial role in the apparel design process. They serve as visual and technical guidelines throughout the production process, ensuring that the final product meets the client’s expectations.
Urban Purple is a group of technical fashion designers and consultants. We also run a digital download store for fashion tech packs, graphics, and textile prints. Visit our template store to learn more about our offering and buy fashion tech packs. You can choose your collection tech packs from a wide range of fashion tech packs. The tech packs are tested in factory environments. So, you can select your styles and buy from there. Download the apparel Tech Pack Template with a detailed measurement spec sheet. You get the source vector file of the tech pack with the spec sheet in Excel format. Fashion Consultant and Owner of Tech Pack Template. An Online Store offering Tech Pack Template with detailed size charts. Download the Tech Pack template with a detailed size chart in Excel format.