A saddle pad tech pack does not need to be complicated. It does need to remove guesswork.
Your manufacturer should not have to guess the pad shape, finished measurements, materials, quilting, colours or logo position. If these details are missing, two people can look at the same drawing and understand it differently.
A useful saddle pad tech pack should cover the product's intended use, shape, measurements, materials, construction, branding and sample approval. Here are the 12 specifications to include.
1. Define the saddle pad type and intended use
Start by stating whether you are developing a dressage, jumping or GP saddle pad. Then explain whether it is intended for everyday riding, training, competition or a coordinated product collection.
Avoid vague descriptions such as “a high-quality saddle pad for all riders”. A clearer brief would be: “GP saddle pad designed for everyday riding, with a simple quilted finish and understated branding.”
From a hand-drawn sketch to an approved sample
In one anonymised saddle pad project, the buyer initially provided only a hand-drawn sketch, with no measurements, material specifications or construction details.
Zest first clarified that the pad was intended for everyday riding rather than competition or another specialised use. We then used an existing saddle pad shape as the development starting point, adapted the design and produced a sample for review. The buyer approved the sample and proceeded with an order.
This example does not mean that a sketch is enough for production. It shows why intended use should be confirmed before the technical details are developed.
2. Add a clear shape and technical drawing
Provide front and back flat drawings. Identify the outer shape, spine line, wither area, quilting direction, binding, piping, straps and logo position.
Reference photographs can help, but state what each photograph is intended to show. For example: “Reference A is for the front-edge shape only. Do not copy its quilting, binding or logo position.”
3. Define sizes and points of measurement
Do not use Pony, Cob or Full as the complete size specification. Provide the finished measurements in centimetres as well.
Create a measurement diagram and give each location a number or letter. This location is called a point of measurement, or POM. For every POM, record the target measurement and permitted tolerance separately.
| POM | Measurement | Objetivo | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Spine length | Brand to specify | Brand to specify |
| B | Front drop | Brand to specify | Brand to specify |
| C | Rear drop | Brand to specify | Brand to specify |
| D | Lower girth-strap position | Brand to specify | Brand to specify |
| E | D-ring or saddle-strap position | Brand to specify | Brand to specify |
Also explain how each measurement is taken: flat or along a curve, edge to edge or stitch line to stitch line, and before or after binding.
4. Specify the outer fabric
Record the fibre composition, fabric construction, weight where relevant, surface appearance, colour and any required finish.
If the exact material has not been selected, describe the required appearance and intended use, then ask the manufacturer to submit physical options. Do not rely on phrases such as “luxury fabric” or “high-performance polyester”.
5. Specify the padding
“Medium padding” is not a production specification. State the padding material, thickness or weight, number of layers, position and approved material reference.
Quilting can affect the finished thickness. If thickness is important, explain where and how it should be measured.
6. Treat the lining as a separate material
List the underside lining separately from the outer fabric and padding. Specify its fibre composition, construction, surface texture, colour and approved reference.
Descriptions such as “breathable” or “moisture-wicking” are not enough on their own. If a performance requirement matters, define how it will be checked.
7. Control the quilting pattern
Show the quilting shape, unit size, direction, spacing, stitch colour and treatment around logos or attachments.
“Diamond quilting” can produce many different results. Add dimensions directly to the drawing so the manufacturer does not have to estimate the scale from a photograph.
8. Define binding and piping
For each component, state the material, finished width, colour, surface finish and joint position. If the design has two piping colours, show which colour sits closest to the main body.
Use a close-up drawing for layered trims, curved corners or unusual finishing details.
9. Position the attachment straps
Define D-ring or saddle straps and lower girth straps or loops according to the actual product construction. Show their positions on the measurement drawing.
For each strap, specify the material, width, length, colour, closure and stitching. Do not ask the manufacturer to use a “standard position”.
10. Control the logo and branding
For every logo, define the application method, finished size, position, colour, artwork version and whether it appears on one or both sides.
If embroidery is used, review it on the actual quilted construction. Also list the brand label, size label, hang tag, barcode and packaging artwork where required.
11. Define colourways, labels and packaging
A colourway includes more than the outer fabric. Record the colour of the lining, quilting thread, binding, piping, straps and logo for every version.
| Component | Colourway 1 | Colourway 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Outer fabric | Brand to specify | Brand to specify |
| Forro | Brand to specify | Brand to specify |
| Quilting thread | Brand to specify | Brand to specify |
| Binding and piping | Brand to specify | Brand to specify |
| Attachment straps | Brand to specify | Brand to specify |
| Logo | Brand to specify | Brand to specify |
Labelling requirements depend on the product classification and sales market. Annex V of Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 lists “fancy goods and saddlery, of textile materials” among products for which fibre-composition labelling is not mandatory. Brands should still confirm how their product is classified and whether other national or commercial requirements apply before approving labels. See Regulamento (UE) n.º 1007/2011.
Even where fibre-composition labelling is not mandatory, recording each material in the tech pack remains useful for sourcing and production control. Care instructions should be based on the materials and finished construction. ISO 3758:2023 describes a care-labelling symbol system for textile articles.
12. Record sample approval and version changes
The first sample is part of development. It should not become the production instruction by itself.
- Record every requested change.
- Update the drawings and measurement table.
- Update the bill of materials.
- Replace obsolete artwork.
- Add a new version number and date.
- State which sample and document version were approved.
- Confirm that the supplier is using the same version.
If the brand requires colour-fastness or wash-stability testing, the tech pack should identify the test procedure and acceptance level. A dimensional-change requirement should specify the washing procedure, measurement method and permitted change. Naming a standard without defining the required result is not enough.
For related development support, see Zest's custom saddle pad manufacturing, Serviços OEM e ODM e desenvolvimento de amostras pages.
Saddle pad tech pack checklist
- Product type and intended use
- Front and back technical drawings
- Size names and finished measurements
- Defined points of measurement
- Target measurements and tolerances
- Separate outer fabric, padding and lining specifications
- Quilting pattern and dimensions
- Binding and piping details
- Attachment-strap specifications
- Logo method, size and position
- Complete colourway table
- Labels, hang tags and packaging
- Sample comments and current version number
If you already have a saddle pad tech pack, upload it for a manufacturability review. Include the drawings, measurements, material references and target market.
Perguntas frequentes
Can a manufacturer develop a saddle pad from a hand-drawn sketch?
A sketch can be a starting point, but the intended use, shape, dimensions, materials, construction and branding still need to be clarified. The design should then be sampled and approved.
Do I need to know every material before contacting a manufacturer?
No. Describe the intended appearance, position and use, then ask for physical material options. Record the approved reference in the tech pack.
Is a reference sample enough?
No. State which features should be followed, then record the final decisions in your own drawings, bill of materials and measurement table.
Should the tech pack include tolerances?
Yes, where measurement control matters. Record the target and permitted deviation separately.
When should the tech pack be updated?
Update it whenever an approved design, size, material, colour, construction, artwork, label or packaging detail changes.
Pontos-chave
- Start with the intended use.
- Do not use a sketch, photograph or size name as a complete specification.
- Define the outer fabric, padding and lining separately.
- Add dimensions to quilting, trims, straps and logos.
- Update the tech pack after sample review.
- Keep the approved sample and written specification aligned.
If you only have a sketch or early product brief, send your product specifications for review. Zest can identify what still needs to be confirmed before sampling.
Author and editor: Jessica Liu
Last reviewed: 1 September 2026