When a clothing brand develops a garment, the finished product is made from much more than just the main fabric.

A T-shirt may need fabric, rib, sewing thread, labels, printing, packaging, and hang tags.

A hoodie may also require drawcords, eyelets, zippers, elastic, and additional trims.

To keep all these materials organized, garment manufacturers use a document called a Bill of Materials, commonly known as a BOM.

For new clothing brands, understanding the BOM is important because it helps control sourcing, costing, quality, and production accuracy.

This guide explains what a Bill of Materials is, what information it contains, how it is used in garment manufacturing, and why it is an important part of the tech pack.

What Is a Bill of Materials in Garment Manufacturing?

A Bill of Materials (BOM) is a structured list of all the materials, trims, accessories, labels, and packaging items required to manufacture a garment.

It acts like a complete material checklist for the product.

For example, a T-shirt BOM may include:

• Main fabric

• Neck rib

• Sewing thread

• Main label

• Size label

• Care label

• Print

• Hang tag

• Polybag

A hoodie BOM may include:

• Main fleece fabric

• Rib

• Drawcord

• Eyelets

• Zipper

• Thread

• Labels

• Printing or embroidery

• Hang tag

• Polybag

The BOM helps ensure that every required component is identified before bulk production begins.

Why Is a BOM Important?

Garment manufacturing involves multiple materials from different suppliers.

Without a clear BOM, important components can be forgotten or incorrectly sourced.

A BOM helps with:

• Material planning

• Costing

• Supplier communication

• Purchasing

• Production preparation

• Quality control

• Inventory management

It also helps different teams work from the same information.

For example, the merchandiser, sourcing team, factory, and quality team can all refer to the same BOM.

BOM vs Tech Pack: What Is the Difference?

A BOM is usually one part of a garment tech pack.

A tech pack may include:

• Garment sketches

• Measurements

• Construction details

• Fabric specifications

• Colour information

• Print details

• Label placement

• Packaging

• BOM

The BOM focuses specifically on what materials are required.

The rest of the tech pack explains how the garment should be made.

So:

Tech Pack = Full Production Specification

BOM = Material List Inside the Tech Pack

What Information Is Usually Included in a BOM?

A garment BOM may contain several columns.

Common fields include:

• Item number

• Material category

• Material description

• Colour

• Size

• Quantity

• Unit of measurement

• Supplier

• Supplier code

• Approved reference

• Cost

The exact format depends on the company or factory.

Example of a Simple T-Shirt BOM

Item	Description	Colour	Specification	Quantity
Main Fabric	Cotton Single Jersey	Black	220 GSM	As required
Neck Rib	1×1 Rib	Black	Match body	As required
Sewing Thread	Polyester Thread	Black	Matching shade	As required
Main Label	Woven Brand Label	Black/White	5 × 2 cm	1 pc
Size Label	Satin Label	Black	S–XXL	1 pc
Care Label	Printed Satin	White	Care details	1 pc
Print	Screen Print	White	Front chest	1 pc
Hang Tag	Printed Card	Black	Brand artwork	1 pc
Polybag	Transparent LDPE	Clear	Garment size	1 pc

This is only an example.

Actual BOM details depend on the garment.

1. Main Fabric in the BOM

The main fabric is usually the most important line item.

The BOM should clearly identify:

• Fabric name

• Fibre composition

• GSM

• Width or DIA

• Colour

• Finish

• Supplier

For example:

Fabric: Polyester Interlock
Composition: 100% Polyester
GSM: 160
DIA: 60
Colour: Navy
Finish: Quick-dry

Clear fabric information helps prevent incorrect sourcing.

2. Secondary Fabrics

Some garments use more than one fabric.

Examples include:

• Rib

• Mesh

• Lining

• Contrast panels

• Pocket lining

• Cuff fabric

These should be listed separately.

For example, a sports T-shirt may use:

• Main polyester interlock

• Mesh side panels

• Rib neckline

All three belong in the BOM.

3. Sewing Thread

Thread should also be included.

Important details may include:

• Thread type

• Colour

• Supplier

• Count or specification

For example:

Polyester sewing thread – black – matching body shade

Different garment areas may use different thread types.

4. Labels in the BOM

A garment can contain several labels.

Common examples include:

• Main label

• Size label

• Care label

• Composition label

• Country-of-origin label

Each label should be listed separately if needed.

The BOM can specify:

• Material

• Size

• Colour

• Artwork

• Placement reference

5. Zippers

Zippers should be clearly defined.

Details may include:

• Type

• Length

• Colour

• Material

• Supplier

• Slider type

For example:

No. 5 nylon coil zipper – 65 cm – black

A vague entry such as “black zipper” is not specific enough.

6. Buttons

Button information may include:

• Material

• Size

• Colour

• Number of holes

• Branding

• Quantity per garment

For a polo shirt, for example:

3 plastic buttons – 14L – matching body colour

7. Drawcords

For hoodies, joggers, and shorts, the BOM may include drawcord information.

Specify:

• Material

• Shape

• Diameter

• Length

• Colour

• Tip style

For example:

Round polyester drawcord – black – 120 cm – metal aglets

8. Eyelets

Eyelets should also be listed.

Specify:

• Material

• Size

• Finish

• Colour

Example:

Metal eyelet – 8 mm – matte black

9. Elastic

Elastic is commonly used in:

• Waistbands

• Cuffs

• Sportswear

• Innerwear

The BOM may specify:

• Width

• Stretch

• Material

• Length per garment

For example:

40 mm knitted elastic – black

10. Printing

Printing can also be listed in the BOM.

The entry may include:

• Print method

• Colour

• Size

• Artwork reference

• Placement

For example:

Screen print – white – 20 × 25 cm – centre front

This helps connect artwork requirements with costing and production.

11. Embroidery

Embroidery can be included in the same way.

Details may include:

• Logo size

• Thread colour

• Stitch count

• Placement

Example:

Left chest embroidery – 6 cm wide – white thread

12. Hang Tags

Hang tags are often included in the BOM.

Specify:

• Material

• Size

• Artwork

• String

• Quantity

For example:

300 GSM printed hang tag – 5 × 9 cm – black string

13. Packaging Materials

Packaging may also appear in the BOM.

Common packaging items include:

• Polybag

• Size sticker

• Barcode

• Tissue paper

• Shipping box

• Carton

For example:

1 transparent polybag per garment

1 size sticker per polybag

Why Quantity Is Important in a BOM

A BOM should show how much of each material is needed.

For countable items, this is simple.

Example:

• 1 main label

• 1 care label

• 3 buttons

• 2 eyelets

For fabric and thread, the quantity may be calculated differently.

Fabric may be shown in:

• Kg

• Metres

• Yards

• Consumption per garment

This information supports material planning and costing.

Units of Measurement in a BOM

A BOM may use different units depending on the material.

Common units include:

• Kg

• Metre

• Yard

• Piece

• Pair

• Set

• Cone

• Roll

For example:

Fabric = Kg

Buttons = Pieces

Elastic = Metres

Labels = Pieces

Using correct units prevents purchasing errors.

Supplier Information in a BOM

The BOM may include supplier information.

This can include:

• Supplier name

• Supplier code

• Contact

• Article number

• Material reference

This helps factories reorder the same approved material.

For example:

Supplier: XYZ Trims
Article Code: ZIP-065-BLK

This is much safer than relying on memory.

Why Colour References Matter

Colour should be clearly documented.

Instead of writing:

Green

use:

• Pantone reference

• Supplier colour code

• Approved swatch

• Lab dip reference

For example:

Olive Green – Pantone 18-0527 TCX

Accurate colour references help keep different trims visually consistent.

BOM and Garment Costing

The BOM is a major input for garment costing.

Each material has a cost.

For example:

Material	Example Cost
Main Fabric	₹110
Rib	₹8
Thread	₹4
Labels	₹10
Print	₹35
Hang Tag	₹5
Packaging	₹10
Material Cost	₹182

This is only an example.

The manufacturer can then add:

• Cutting

• Stitching

• Finishing

• Overheads

• Wastage

This helps calculate the total garment cost.

BOM and Sourcing

The sourcing team uses the BOM to identify what must be purchased.

For example:

Before production begins, they need to ensure availability of:

• 500 kg fabric

• 5,000 labels

• 10,000 buttons

• 5,000 polybags

The BOM becomes a purchasing reference.

BOM and Inventory Planning

A clear BOM also supports inventory planning.

Factories can track:

• Required quantity

• Available stock

• Pending orders

• Shortages

This reduces the risk of production delays.

BOM and Quality Control

The quality team can use the BOM to verify that the correct materials were used.

For example:

The BOM specifies:

Matte black eyelet

But production uses:

Shiny silver eyelet

That is a material mismatch.

Without a BOM, this error may be missed.

BOM and Sample Development

The BOM should be reviewed during sampling.

The proto sample may use temporary materials.

But by the pre-production sample stage, the final approved BOM should ideally be used.

This helps ensure:

• Correct trims

• Correct labels

• Correct colours

• Correct packaging

BOM Revision Control

BOMs can change during development.

For example:

Version 1:

Plastic zipper

Version 2:

Metal zipper

Version 3:

Branded zipper puller added

Changes should be recorded clearly.

A revision table can include:

Version	Date	Change
V1	01-10-2026	Initial BOM
V2	04-10-2026	Zipper updated
V3	08-10-2026	Label size changed

This helps everyone use the latest information.

Why Version Control Is Important

Imagine the merchandiser is using BOM V3, but the factory is still using BOM V1.

The result could be:

• Wrong zipper

• Wrong label

• Wrong packaging

Version control prevents this.

Always mark the latest approved BOM clearly.

Simple BOM Workflow

A garment BOM usually follows this process:

Design → Tech Pack → Initial BOM → Sample → Material Changes → Revised BOM → PP Sample → Final BOM → Bulk Production

The BOM evolves as the garment develops.

Example BOM for a Hoodie

A hoodie may include:

Item	Description
Main Fabric	Cotton-Polyester Fleece
Rib	2×2 Rib
Thread	Polyester Thread
Drawcord	Round Cotton Cord
Eyelets	Matte Black Metal
Zipper	Nylon Coil Zipper
Main Label	Woven Label
Size Label	Satin Label
Care Label	Printed Satin
Print	DTF Back Print
Hang Tag	Printed Card
Polybag	Transparent

This is much more detailed than simply writing “hoodie materials.”

Example BOM for a Polo Shirt

A polo BOM may include:

• Piqué main fabric

• Collar

• Cuff

• Buttons

• Thread

• Main label

• Size label

• Care label

• Hang tag

• Polybag

Each item should have its own specification.

Example BOM for Sportswear

A sportswear BOM may include:

• Polyester interlock

• Mesh

• Elastic

• Heat-transfer label

• Reflective trim

• Zipper

• Thread

• Print

• Packaging

Performance garments often require more technical material details.

Standard BOM vs Detailed BOM

A basic BOM may only include:

• Material name

• Colour

• Quantity

A detailed BOM may include:

• Supplier

• Article code

• Composition

• Size

• Finish

• Unit

• Consumption

• Cost

• Approval status

Larger brands and more complex products usually require more detailed BOMs.

Common BOM Mistakes New Clothing Brands Make

1. Missing Materials

Small items such as:

• Size labels

• Thread

• Stickers

• Eyelets

are sometimes forgotten.

Every production component should be listed.

2. Vague Descriptions

“Black zipper” is too vague.

Specify:

• Type

• Size

• Length

• Finish

3. No Colour Reference

General colour names can create shade differences.

Use an approved reference.

4. Missing Quantities

The factory must know how much is required per garment.

5. Wrong Units

Confusing pieces, metres, and kilograms can create purchasing mistakes.

6. No Supplier Reference

Custom materials can be difficult to reorder without supplier codes.

7. Poor Version Control

An outdated BOM can create production errors.

How New Clothing Brands Can Create a Simple BOM

If you are creating your first product, start with a simple spreadsheet.

Use columns such as:

No.	Category	Description	Colour	Specification	Qty	Supplier

Then list every material required for the garment.

For example:

1. Main fabric

2. Rib

3. Thread

4. Main label

5. Size label

6. Care label

7. Print

8. Hang tag

9. Polybag

You can make the BOM more detailed as your business grows.

BOM Checklist Before Production

Before approving production, check:

• Is every material listed?

• Are fabric details correct?

• Are trim colours approved?

• Are sizes correct?

• Are quantities correct?

• Are supplier codes included?

• Are labels approved?

• Is packaging included?

• Is the latest revision being used?

A five-minute BOM review can prevent expensive mistakes.

BOM and Low MOQ Clothing Production

Small brands often produce low quantities.

In this situation, BOM planning becomes even more important.

Custom trims may require higher MOQs than the garment order.

For example:

You need:

100 hoodies

But the custom label supplier requires:

1,000 labels

The BOM helps reveal these sourcing challenges early.

Brands can then decide whether to:

• Use standard trims

• Order extra inventory

• Change suppliers

• Simplify the product

BOM and Sustainable Sourcing

Brands interested in lower-impact production can also use the BOM to track material choices.

Examples include:

• Recycled polyester thread

• Recycled labels

• FSC-certified paper tags

• Reduced-plastic packaging

• Recycled fabric

Supplier documentation should support sustainability claims where applicable.

Why a BOM Helps Manufacturers Quote More Accurately

A manufacturer cannot provide an accurate price if materials are unclear.

Compare:

Option A: “I need a hoodie.”

versus:

Option B: “I need a 300 GSM fleece hoodie with 2×2 rib, metal eyelets, cotton drawcord, DTF back print, woven label, and individual polybag.”

The second request gives the manufacturer far more information.

A clear BOM leads to better costing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does BOM mean in garment manufacturing?

BOM means Bill of Materials. It is a complete list of materials, trims, accessories, labels, and packaging required to manufacture a garment.

Is fabric included in the BOM?

Yes.

Main fabric and any secondary fabrics should be listed.

Are labels included in the BOM?

Yes.

Main labels, care labels, size labels, and other required labels are commonly included.

Is packaging part of the BOM?

It can be.

Many garment BOMs include polybags, stickers, hang tags, and other packaging materials.

Is a BOM the same as a tech pack?

No.

The BOM is one section of the tech pack.

The tech pack contains broader technical information about the entire garment.

Who creates the BOM?

The BOM may be created by:

• Designer

• Technical designer

• Merchandiser

• Product developer

• Manufacturer

The final version should be approved before production.

Can a BOM change during sampling?

Yes.

Materials may change based on:

• Cost

• Availability

• Quality

• Design

All changes should be recorded.

Why is BOM important for costing?

The BOM lists all the materials that must be purchased, making it easier to calculate the product’s material cost.

Final Thoughts

A Bill of Materials may look like a simple spreadsheet, but it plays a major role in garment manufacturing.

It tells the manufacturer exactly which materials are required to build the product.

A good BOM helps control:

• Fabric

• Trims

• Labels

• Colours

• Quantities

• Suppliers

• Cost

• Packaging

It also connects several important parts of the production process, including sourcing, sampling, costing, purchasing, and quality control.

For new clothing brands, the BOM does not need to be complicated.

Start with a clear list of every material used in the garment and make the information more detailed as your products become more complex.

Most importantly, keep the BOM updated.

If the manufacturer knows exactly what materials are required, there is less room for confusion during production.