Manufacturing · Process · Sampling and tech packs
Mockups, Tech Packs and Samples
Before Mr Balaclava produces a single piece, your product exists three times: as a digital mockup (1–3 business days), as a tech pack that specifies every measurement, material and trim (3–5 business days), and as a physical sample made on the production machines (5–7 days). This page explains what each contains, what you need to supply and how approval works. Development is included for orders from 50 pieces per design.
Updated
- 50 pcsMinimum per design
- 14 daysStandard lead time
- 100K pcsMonthly capacity
- 3–6 daysShipping (DHL, FedEx, UPS)
- ISO 9001Certified (Eco Jersey Limited)
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Mockup, tech pack and sample: what each one is for
| Document | What it shows | What you approve | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital mockup | Flat drawings of the product in your colours, with logo and label placements, front and back; colourway variants on request | The look: shape, colours, branding positions | 1–3 business days |
| Tech pack | Measurement table per size, fabric and yarn specification, trims, Pantone references, stitch types, label and hang tag artwork, packing instructions | The specification the factory builds to | 3–5 business days |
| Physical sample | The product itself, made on the production machines from the specified materials, with branding applied | Fit, hand feel, colour, branding quality; changes go back into the tech pack | 5–7 days, plus courier time |
What you need
Start with whatever you have
Some customers send a complete tech pack; many send a photo and a paragraph. Both work. The less you send, the more our design team fills in, and the more we ask before drawing.
- A sketch, a photo or a reference product. A competitor's product with notes on what to change is a good brief.
- Your logo as a vector file (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF) and the Pantone references of your colours, if you have them.
- The use and the market. Under a helmet or over it, alpine or urban, adult or kids, which country's sizing.
- Quantity per design and the deadline, so we can plan the fabric and the production slot from the start.
- If you have a tech pack already, send it as is; we check it and quote from it.
Inside the tech pack
What a Mr Balaclava tech pack contains
One document per style, with a style code, kept under version control and archived for reorders.
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Drawings and measurements
Front, back and detail flats; a measurement table for every size with tolerances; grading rules between sizes.
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Materials and trims
Fabric or yarn composition and weight, lining, mesh, elastic, drawcords, zips, thread, with supplier references.
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Colour and branding
Pantone references per component, embroidery or print files with size and position, label and hang tag artwork.
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Construction and packing
Seam types, stitch density, folding, polybag or box, barcode and carton marking instructions.
Approval
How the sample round works
Most designs are approved after one sample. The digital steps before it are what keeps the count low.
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Mockup review
You comment on the drawing; revisions are made the same or the next business day until the look is right.
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Tech pack sign-off
You confirm measurements, materials and branding. This is the specification the sample and the bulk are built to.
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Sample and feedback
The sample ships to you with a copy of the tech pack. You test the fit and send changes; a second sample is made only if the changes affect construction.
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Approved sample kept
The approved sample and its tech pack stay in the factory as the reference for inspection and for every reorder.
Files and ownership
Formats you receive, and who owns them
- Mockups as PDF and PNG; the source files on request.
- Tech packs as PDF and as an editable spreadsheet, so your team can comment or copy the template for a new style.
- Your files stay yours. Designs, mockups and tech packs developed for your order are not reused for other customers.
- Archived for reorders. The approved version is stored under your style code; a reorder starts from it, with any changes tracked as a new version.
FAQ
Mockups, tech packs and samples: frequently asked questions
What is a tech pack, and do I need one?
A tech pack is the technical document a factory builds a product from: drawings, a measurement table per size, materials, trims, colours, branding files and packing instructions. You do not need to bring one. If you have only a sketch or an idea, our design team creates the tech pack with you before the sample is made.
How much do samples cost?
Sample costs depend on the product and are quoted with your price. Samples require 100% payment in advance. Mockups and tech packs are part of the development we do for an order.
How long does a sample take?
5–7 days in the sample room after the tech pack is signed off, plus courier time to you. Mockups take 1–3 business days and tech packs 3–5.
Is the sample made like the bulk order?
Yes. The sample room uses the same machines, programs and materials as production, so the approved sample is a reliable reference. When a fabric has to be ordered from the mill, we say so and confirm the sample material with you.
Can I get several colourways or sizes as samples?
Yes. Extra colourways and sizes are quoted per piece. For a size range, a base size sample plus the graded measurement table is usually enough; a second size is recommended for helmet-fit balaclavas and kids' products.
Can I reuse my tech pack for another product?
Yes. The editable version is yours to copy. For a new style we recommend a short review by our team, because measurements and construction notes rarely transfer one to one between products.
Buyer guides
Further reading
Private Label & OEM · 4 min readCustom Motorcycle Balaclava: A Guide for Brands and ClubsDiscover how a custom motorcycle balaclava helps brands and riding clubs build identity and unity. Explore design options, fabric choices.Read the guide 
Manufacturing & Production · 5 min readSki Balaclava Manufacturing: Fabric Selection and Finished ProductSee how ski balaclava manufacturing turns raw fabric into a finished product, and what decisions winter sports brands face at each step.Read the guide 
Private Label & OEM · 4 min readPrivate Label Motorcycle Balaclava: How Brands Can Create ItLearn how a private label motorcycle balaclava helps brands build custom headwear. Explore materials, branding options, FAQ for your own line.Read the guide