A bill of materials, usually shortened to BOM, is the controlled list of components needed to make and prepare a garment. Inside a tech pack it connects the drawing to sourcing, costing, sampling and quality checks.
1. What a garment BOM does
The BOM turns visible and hidden components into a line-by-line sourcing record. It helps purchasing request the correct quality and helps costing separate material assumptions.
It also gives sample and quality teams a checklist. If a component appears in the flat but not the BOM, the specification is incomplete.
2. Fabrics and linings
List main fabric, contrast, lining, interfacing and pocketing separately. Record composition, quality or supplier reference, colour, width or weight when relevant and placement.
Consumption should state the unit and size basis. Final values may change after marker or pattern work, so approval status matters.
3. Trims, closures and thread
Buttons, snaps, zips, elastic, drawcords, hooks, hardware and thread need sizes, finishes, colours and supplier references where known.
Avoid generic terms such as ‘gold zip’. Plating, tape colour, tooth type and length can materially change appearance and price.
4. Labels and branding
Main labels, size labels, care labels, hangtags, barcodes and attachments should be separate entries connected to placement pages.
Care content must reflect verified materials and destination requirements; it should not be copied from an unrelated style.
5. Packaging
Polybags, tissue, stickers, hangers and cartons can be included when packaging is part of the product handoff.
Supplier minimums for custom packaging can affect MOQ, so identify them before committing to a retail presentation.
6. Quantity, supplier and approval fields
Useful fields include component code, description, colour, supplier, unit, quantity, placement and approval status.
Photographs help identify a quality but should be paired with traceable references or retained physical approvals.
7. BOM audit
Compare the BOM with flats, colourways, artwork and label pages. Every component should appear where used and change consistently across colourways.
Update the revision after sample changes and avoid informal substitutions that never reach the approved document.
8. BOM questions before quotation
Ask whether quantities are estimates or pattern-based consumption, whether waste is included and which supplier or quality reference supports each price. Separate stock, custom and client-supplied components.
For colourways, verify that every component has a valid colour or finish and that a substitution requires written approval. These checks make later cost changes easier to explain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about this topic
Is a BOM only for fabric?
No. It can include fabrics, linings, trims, thread, hardware, labels and packaging.
Is consumption final before a pattern exists?
Often not. Initial estimates may be revised after pattern and marker work.
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