Tech Pack vs Reference Image for Custom Bags

Written for designers, first-time founders, and indie brands across Europe

The difference

A reference image answers what the bag should feel like. A bag tech pack answers how it should be made. Pictures create alignment; specs create repeatability.

What reference images cannot show

Photos and AI renderings rarely show exact dimensions, side depth, bottom structure, lining, pocket volume, zipper path, reinforcement, or load-bearing details. A factory cannot reliably build from pictures alone.

What a bag tech pack includes

A production-ready bag tech pack includes flat drawings, measurement tables, bill of materials, construction notes, branding placement, packaging, colorways, and quality requirements.

Can you start without one?

Yes, if you have a structured brief. A first-sample spec can be developed from references, rough dimensions, intended use, material direction, quantity, and budget. A production-ready tech pack usually comes after sample learning.

What ProtoBag reviews before sampling

For an initial review, send the intended use, approximate dimensions, expected load, opening method, essential compartments, estimated quantity, and the clearest references available. ProtoBag identifies missing project information and coordinates the next step. Exact factory recommendations, material availability, and construction feasibility are confirmed only after the paid sampling scope begins and a physical sample can test the decisions.

ProtoBag Studio is the Munich-based liaison and project coordination point for China-side custom bag sampling and OEM production. Send your project brief here, read our services, or browse more bag manufacturing guides.