How to Make a Tech Pack
If you’ve ever sent a design idea to a manufacturer and received something completely different…
If you’ve ever burned money on samples that didn’t match your vision…
If you’ve ever wished someone could simply “read your mind” and create your garment exactly the way you imagined—
Then you already know why tech packs exist.
A tech pack is not just a document.
It’s the language between designers and manufacturers — the only thing that ensures your idea becomes a perfect physical product.
Today, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make a tech pack, step by step, even if you’ve never created one before.
What Is a Tech Pack? (Explained in Simple English)
A tech pack — short for technical package — is a detailed blueprint of your garment.
It tells the manufacturer:
- What to make
- How to make it
- What materials to use
- What measurements to follow
- What finishing, trims, stitching, and labeling to add
Think of it as the Google Maps for garment production.
If the route is clear, the factory gets you to the perfect destination.
If the route is unclear, you get delays, wrong samples, and wasted money.
Why Every Clothing Brand Needs a Tech Pack
Whether you’re a small startup or a global fashion label, a tech pack does three things:
1. Saves Money
Factories don’t guess.
They need instructions.
A detailed tech pack reduces sampling mistakes by up to 40–60%, according to industry studies.
2. Speeds Up Production
When everything is documented, manufacturers don’t keep calling to ask:
- “What is the sleeve length?”
- “Which zipper number?”
- “What GSM fabric?”
- “How much seam allowance?”
Clarity = speed.
3. Protects Your Design
A tech pack acts like proof that the design came from you.
How to Make a Tech Pack (Step-by-Step Breakdown)
Below is the exact process we use at Tech Pack Genius when creating tech packs for global brands.
1. Start With a Clear Technical Sketch (Flat Sketch)
This is the foundation of everything.
A flat sketch is a clean, black-and-white technical drawing of your garment — front and back, sometimes side views.
Why is this important?
Because manufacturers don’t understand fashion terminology.
But they do understand visuals.
Tools you can use:
- Adobe Illustrator
- CorelDRAW
- Procreate
- Canva (beginner-friendly)
- Paper + pencil (yes, even this works)
Example:
If you’re designing a women’s oversized hoodie, the flat sketch should show:
- Dropped shoulder
- Kangaroo pocket
- Ribbed cuffs
- Oversized hood
- Length proportions
No colors. No textures. Just structure.
2. Add Construction Details
Once your sketch is ready, add the “how it’s made” instructions.
These include:
- Stitch types (lock stitch, overlock, cover stitch)
- Seam types (flatlock, French seam, double-needle, etc.)
- Panel joining
- Topstitching details
- Placement of pockets, zippers, buttons
- Hem finishing
Beginner Tip:
If you don’t know stitch names, don’t panic.
Simply write what you want:
- “Thick stitch like Nike hoodies”
- “Hidden pocket with clean finishing”
- “Double stitch on the neckline”
A tech pack expert will convert these into technical terms.
3. Define Your Fabrics and Materials
This is the biggest reason samples fail.
If you say “cotton,” your manufacturer might use anything from 120 GSM to 300 GSM.
If you say “polyester,” they might use cheap quality.
What to include:
Fabric
- Fiber: Cotton / Polyester / Rayon / Spandex blend
- GSM (fabric weight)
- Knit or woven
- Fabric structure (jersey, pique, rib, twill, fleece, etc.)
- Stretch %
- Hand feel (soft, brushed, crisp, structured)
Trims
- Zippers (YKK #5 nylon)
- Buttons (horn / metal / plastic)
- Drawcords
- Eyelets
- Labels
- Care tags
Global Example:
A US streetwear brand specifies:
“400 GSM brushed fleece, 95% cotton, 5% spandex — heavyweight winter hoodie.”
An Indian summer-wear brand might specify:
“160 GSM breathable single jersey cotton — lightweight and tropical.”
4. Add Colorways + Pantone Codes
Colors vary dramatically under different lights and fabrics.
Using Pantone codes ensures manufacturers use the exact shade you want.
Example:
- Black → Pantone 19-4005 TCX
- Hot Pink → Pantone 17-1937 TCX
Add:
- Color name
- Pantone code
- Fabric type for each color
- Print/embroidery details (if any)
5. Create the Measurement Chart (Spec Sheet)
This is the heart of the tech pack.
It ensures your sizing remains consistent across production.
Include measurements for every size:
For example (men’s T-shirt):
- Chest
- Shoulder
- Length
- Sleeve length
- Bottom opening
- Neck width
- Armhole
- Sleeve opening
Add:
- Point of Measurement (POM) diagram
- Tolerance (+/- 0.5 cm or 1 cm)
Real-World Example:
Zara and H&M use extremely tight tolerances (+/- 0.5 cm) to ensure perfect consistency.
Small brands usually keep tolerances at (+/- 1 cm).
6. Add Print, Embroidery & Graphic Details
If your garment includes branding, this section is essential.
Include:
- Print dimensions
- Print placement
- Print type (screen print, DTF, puff print, vinyl, sublimation)
- Embroidery stitch count
- Embroidery thread colors
- Logo mockups
- Placement distance from seams
Example:
“Front chest embroidery — 6 cm width, satin stitch, Madeira thread #1147, 3 cm below neckline.”
7. Include Bill of Materials (BOM)
This is your garment’s shopping list.
For each component, add:
- Item name
- Quantity
- Material
- Supplier (optional)
- Cost (if budgeting)
Example (hoodie BOM):
- Fabric: 2.1 meters
- Rib: 0.4 meters
- Zipper: YKK #5, 1 pc
- Drawcord: Cotton braided, 1.5 meters
- Labels: 3 pcs
8. Add Size Grading Rules
Once you finalize one sample (usually size M), manufacturers need a grading rule to create S, L, XL, etc.
Grading Example:
- Chest: ±2.5 cm
- Length: ±1.5 cm
- Shoulder: ±1 cm
This ensures the design looks consistent across sizes.
9. Add Manufacturing Notes
These notes tell factories how to handle special instructions.
Examples:
- “Use pre-shrunk fabric only.”
- “Do not change neckline shape.”
- “Add extra reinforcement on stress points.”
- “Use eco-friendly dyes only.”
- “Pack each piece in biodegradable polybags.”
10. Add a Final QC Checklist
Before bulk production begins, give manufacturers a checklist:
- Fabric matches the approved GSM
- All colors match Pantone codes
- Stitching quality checked
- Print alignment accurate
- Measurements within tolerance
- Labels and tags correctly placed
This drastically reduces last-minute issues.
11. Put Everything Into a Clean, Organized Format
Most tech packs are created in:
- Adobe Illustrator
- PDF format
- Excel sheets
- Specialized fashion software
- Or through expert services like Tech Pack Genius
Your tech pack should look:
- Clean
- Easy to understand
- Properly labeled
- Page-wise organized
Because a messy tech pack is almost as bad as not having one.
A Complete Tech Pack Usually Includes:
- Cover page with style name
- Technical flat sketches
- Construction notes
- Fabric and trims details
- Colorways + Pantone codes
- Measurement chart
- POM diagram
- Print/embroidery details
- BOM (Bill of Materials)
- Grading rules
- QA instructions
- Packaging details
This is the industry-standard format followed by global brands.
Real-Life Example: How a Brand Saved $600+ Using a Good Tech Pack
A UK athleisure brand approached us after losing money on three wrong samples for their leggings.
Why?
Because they only sent:
- A reference photo
- Some WhatsApp instructions
- A few size measurements
The factory misunderstood:
- The stretch percentage
- The waistband construction
- The panel cutting
- The inseam length
We created a detailed tech pack for them.
The next sample was 95% accurate.
They approved it and started production.
A good tech pack saves money — not costs money.
Beginner Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Tech Pack
- Don’t skip measurement tolerances
- Don’t write vague instructions (“use good fabric”)
- Don’t rely only on images
- Don’t mix inches and centimeters
- Don’t ignore factory feedback
- Don’t assume the manufacturer knows your intention
Clarity wins.
Instant Practical Tips for First-Time Clothing Brands
- Always use Pantone codes
- Use high-resolution sketches
- Keep measurements consistent across sizes
- Add close-up images of zippers, buttons, seams
- Attach fabric swatches if possible
- Keep your tech pack updated after every sample round
Conclusion: A Tech Pack Is Your Brand’s Superpower
Whether you’re starting your first clothing brand or scaling your 100th style, a tech pack is the foundation of everything you produce.
It reduces confusion.
It increases accuracy.
It protects your ideas.
And most importantly — it saves time, money, and stress.
If you want your garments to look exactly the way you imagine them…
Start with a strong tech pack.
And if you ever need a fast, expert, highly detailed tech pack —
Tech Pack Genius is here for you.
FAQs
1. Do I really need a tech pack for small quantities?
Yes. Even if you’re making 50 pieces, a tech pack prevents mistakes and saves money.
2. How many pages should a tech pack be?
Usually 8–20 pages depending on the garment complexity.
3. Can I make a tech pack without knowing technical terms?
Yes. Start with descriptions. A tech pack expert will convert them into technical language.
4. Can manufacturers create a tech pack for me?
Some can, but their version is often incomplete because their goal is production, not accuracy.
5. What software do professionals use?
Adobe Illustrator is industry-standard.
Excel is used for measurements.
PDF is used for final sharing.
6. How long does it take to make a tech pack?
Professionals take 24–72 hours, depending on complexity.
7. Can I use one tech pack for multiple factories?
Absolutely. That’s one of its biggest advantages.