How to Create a Bill of Materials for Fashion
How to create a bill of materials (BOM) for fashion — listing fabrics, trims, labels, and hardware with supplier details and cost information.
What a BOM includes
A bill of materials (BOM) is a complete list of every material used in a garment. It tells the manufacturer exactly what to order and from whom. A thorough BOM prevents material substitutions and ensures consistency across production runs.
BOM components by category
Organize your BOM into these categories:
BOM categories
| Category | Examples | Details to include |
|---|---|---|
| Shell fabric | Main body fabric | Fiber content, weight (gsm), construction, width, color, supplier ref |
| Lining fabric | Body lining, pocket lining | Fiber content, weight, color, supplier ref |
| Rib/trim fabric | Cuffs, collar rib, hem band | Rib type, composition, weight, width, color |
| Thread | Sewing thread, topstitch thread | Fiber type, weight, color, supplier |
| Closures | Zippers, buttons, snaps | Type, size, material, finish, supplier, brand |
| Labels | Main label, care label, size label | Material, print method, size, placement |
| Hang tags | Brand hang tag, price tag | Material, size, attachment method |
| Packaging | Poly bag, tissue, box | Size, material, any printing |
Writing effective BOM entries
Each BOM entry should be specific enough that someone could order the exact material without seeing a sample. Bad entry: 'Cotton fabric, blue'. Good entry: '180 gsm 100% combed cotton single jersey, Pantone 19-4052 TCX, 60-inch width, supplier: ABC Textiles ref #CJ-180-BL'.
BOM and costing
Your BOM is also the foundation for garment costing. Include consumption per garment (how much material is needed for one unit) and unit cost for each component. This lets you calculate total material cost and build into your pricing.
AI tech pack tools like Skema3D generate BOMs automatically based on the garment type and specifications you provide. This gives you a solid starting point that you can customize with your specific supplier details and pricing.