Excel is not a drawing tool!

Excel is not a drawing tool! Although most tech packages are Excel files, the "drawing" tool is not at all appropriate to communicate pattern & fit corrections.

-The free drawing tool lacks the accuracy or precision needed to relay the pattern revisions to a pattern maker (note the wearer’s right sleeve)
-The image and the notes are rarely grouped together so if you move the image, the words don’t move with it and you end up with massive confusion on the side of the manufacturer, which equals a lot of unnecessary back & forth (Images A vs B)
-Your images are separated from your revision instructions

Best Practices:
1.    Draw on top of the image in Illustrator or a similar drawing program that allows more precise markings.
a.    Better yet: use 3D and make the pattern corrections directly to the pattern!
2.    Keep the comments with the image: Adobe Illustrator layers, separate artboards saved as .png files, and/or screenshots of the image with the comments. Same with other drawing platforms.
3.    List out the revisions in the tech pkg in addition marking up the image to further support the changes.
4.    Know the delicate balance of advising in too much detail vs. allowing the pattern maker to revise as they see fit based on the overall pattern.
5.    Use screen shots of the pattern (if available) and mark corrections directly on the pieces.

What else can you add to the list when it comes to visual pattern corrections?

And if you want to learn more about product development processes, tech package creation, or just have a pile of garments needing tech pkgs, give me a shout!

(PS: the focus of the post is using Excel as a drawing tool, NOT the accuracy of the pattern comments, or the precision of the markings :)