How to Prepare Your Tech Pack for Sampling: A Complete Step-By-Step Guide for Clothing Brands
Need a factory-ready Tech Pack?
Delivered in 72 hours.
The moment every fashion founder dreams of is the day their first sample arrives.
You open the package with excitement…
You hold the garment…
And then your heart sinks — because it looks nothing like what you imagined.
This painful moment happens more often than you think.
Not because factories are bad.
But because the tech pack wasn’t complete.
So in this guide, I’ll walk you — in the simplest, most practical way — through how to prepare a tech pack that guarantees accurate samples, saves money, reduces revisions, and builds long-term trust with manufacturers.
Whether you’re a fashion designer, a startup brand, or running an ecommerce apparel label, this is your roadmap.
What Exactly Is a Tech Pack?
A tech pack (technical package) is a blueprint of your garment.
Think of it like the architecture plan for a building.
It tells the factory:
- What to make
- How to make it
- Which materials to use
- What the measurements are
- How the stitching should look
- What labels, trims, and accessories must be added
If you don’t clearly define these details, the factory will guess — and guessing leads to sample mistakes, delays, and higher costs.
A complete tech pack removes confusion and ensures your first sample is 80–90% accurate.
Why Your Sampling Depends on a Strong Tech Pack
Before we dive into the steps, understand this:
Factories don’t reject small brands. They reject unclear instructions.
Global manufacturers — whether in India, Turkey, Vietnam, China, Portugal, or Bangladesh — follow one rule:
👉 “If the tech pack is clear, we can deliver.”
But if it’s incomplete, they will:
- ask too many questions
- delay your production
- create incorrect samples
- increase your cost
- decline working with you
A great tech pack makes you look professional, even if you’re a one-person brand.
Clothing manufacturers require a complete tech pack to avoid mistakes.
We create factory-ready tech packs in 72 hrs.
How to Prepare Your Tech Pack for Sampling (Step-by-Step)
This is the exact process used by professional brands and production teams worldwide.
1. Start With a Clean, Clear Fashion Sketch (Technical Sketch)
This is not your creative illustration.
This is a flat sketch that shows the garment from:
- Front view
- Back view
- Side or detail views (if needed)
What matters:
- Straight, clean lines
- No shading
- No stylization
- Visible seams, darts, and stitch lines
Why it matters:
Factories use this as a map.
If a seam, pocket, or panel isn’t shown, the factory won’t add it.
Example:
A brand in Los Angeles sent a hoodie design with only a front view.
The factory added a regular back — but the brand wanted a racerback cut.
Result? A wrong sample and two-week delay.
2. Add a Clear Style Description
This is where you describe the design in simple, professional language.
Include:
- Garment type (e.g., women’s crop hoodie)
- Fit (oversized, slim, relaxed)
- Length (waist-length, below-knee, cropped)
- Sleeve type (raglan, set-in, dolman)
- Neckline (crew, V-neck, mock neck)
- Key details (zippers, ribbing, panels, pockets)
Example style description:
“Women’s oversized crop hoodie with dropped shoulders, front kangaroo pocket, ribbed cuffs, and elasticated bottom hem.”
Simple. Clear. No confusion.
3. Specify Fabrics and Materials Accurately
Don’t just write “cotton fabric.”
This is too vague.
What to include:
- Fabric type (fleece, jersey, rib knit, twill, chiffon, denim)
- Composition (100% cotton, 95% polyester + 5% spandex)
- GSM (fabric weight — e.g., 180 GSM)
- Stretch level (2-way or 4-way)
- Finish (brushed, pre-shrunk, enzyme-washed)
Why this matters:
Fabric determines:
- fit
- drape
- shrinkage
- cost
- sample accuracy
Global example:
European brands always specify GSM and finish because manufacturers in Turkey and Portugal need exact details for perfect drape and sleeve fall.
4. Create a Detailed Measurement Sheet (Spec Sheet)
This is the heart of your tech pack.
Even if your sketch is perfect, the sample will be wrong without measurements.
Your spec sheet must have:
- Body measurements for every size you plan (start with your sample size)
- Tolerances (how much variation is acceptable)
- Grading rules (how measurements increase/decrease per size)
Key measurement points include:
- Chest/bust
- Waist
- Hip
- Body length
- Sleeve length
- Armhole
- Neck width
- Shoulders
- Hem width
- Rise (for bottoms)
- Inseam
Pro tip:
Use industry names for measurement points.
Avoid vague words like “middle part width.”
This avoids sampling confusion, especially with factories in China and Vietnam.
5. Add Construction Details (Stitching, Seams & Finishing)
This section tells the factory how to build the garment, not just what it looks like.
Include:
- Stitch type (single needle, overlock, cover stitch)
- Seam types (flatlock, French seam, top-stitched seam)
- Hem types (double-needle hem, rolled hem)
- Pocket construction
- Fly/zipper construction
- Collar finishing
Example:
“Topstitch all seams with 0.5 cm distance. Use 4-thread overlock for inner seams.”
These details differentiate a cheap sample from a premium sample.
6. Add Artwork & Print Placement Details (If Applicable)
If your garment includes:
- prints
- embroidery
- patches
- labels
- logos
- appliqués
…you must specify:
- Exact size (in cm/inches)
- Positioning (2 cm below neckline, centered)
- Color (Pantone codes)
- Technique (DTF print, screen print, puff print, satin embroidery)
Real-world mistake:
A U.K-based streetwear brand added a 4-inch logo in the mockup.
Factory assumed 4 cm.
Result: wrong sample → second sample → more cost.
7. Add Trim & Accessories Information
Small accessories matter more than you think.
Include:
- zipper type
- zipper length
- puller type
- buttons (material + size)
- drawcords
- eyelets
- elastic type
- care labels
- branding labels
Example:
“Reverse coil zipper, #5, black, with matte metal puller.”
Factories need these details for accuracy.
Want Your Clothing Design Ready for Manufacturing?
We’ll create a complete, professional Tech Pack for your brand.
Delivered in 72 Hours.✔ All measurements
✔ Stitching details
✔ Fabric + trims
✔ BOM
8. Add Colorways & Pantone Codes
Simply writing “red” or “blue” is not enough.
Different factories interpret colors differently.
Always include:
- Pantone TCX / Pantone TPX codes (for apparel)
- Hex codes (for digital references)
- Separate colorway sheets
Example:
Pantone 17-1463 TCX (Tangerine Tango)
Pantone 11-0602 TCX (Snow White)
9. Add BOM (Bill of Materials)
This is a list of every material used in the garment.
Example BOM:
- Main fabric – 220 GSM cotton fleece
- Rib fabric – 2×2 rib knit
- Zipper – YKK #5 reverse coil
- Drawcord – 100% cotton
- Eyelets – matte black metal
- Brand label – woven, 3 cm
This helps manufacturers plan costing and procurement accurately.
10. Add Packaging & Labeling Requirements
Most new brands forget this — and end up with unbranded, poorly packed samples.
Include:
- Fold style
- Packaging material
- Polybag size
- Brand tag
- Barcode label (if required)
Small details create a big difference in brand presentation.
11. Add a Checklist Before Sending the Tech Pack to the Factory
Before sharing your tech pack, check:
- all measurements are included
- all views (front/back) are present
- no vague instructions
- fabric and trims are specified
- color codes are added
- print/embroidery sizes are clear
- contact notes are added
A clean tech pack = smooth sampling.
Global Real-Life Scenario: What Happens When the Tech Pack Is Weak
A startup streetwear brand from New York sent their first hoodie design to a factory in Dhaka.
Their tech pack missed:
- sleeve opening measurement
- hood depth
- rib GSM
- stitch type
The sample came:
- sleeves too long
- hood too small
- rib too light
- visible poor stitching
The founder blamed the factory.
But the real problem?
The tech pack was incomplete.
After fixing the tech pack, the second sample came out perfect.
Global Real-Life Scenario: What Happens When the Tech Pack Is Strong
A women’s activewear brand in Sydney sent a detailed tech pack for yoga leggings:
- front/back views
- fabric composition
- 4-way stretch requirement
- gusset details
- print placement
- pantone codes
- flatlock stitch instructions
The first sample came 95% accurate.
Only minor fit tweaks were needed.
This is the power of a professional tech pack.
Instant Tips to Improve Your Tech Pack Today
- Use clear labels like A, B, C for detail callouts.
- Avoid subjective words like “make it tight.” Provide measurements.
- Avoid assumptions — factories don’t read minds.
- Always include tolerances (+/- 0.5 cm or +/– 1 cm).
- Add real photo references if your sketch includes tricky elements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Only providing moodboards
❌ Not adding back view
❌ Vague color names
❌ Not specifying GSM
❌ Providing creative illustrations instead of flats
❌ Not including tolerances
❌ Forgetting packaging details
Fix these, and your sampling success rate increases dramatically.
Conclusion: Your Tech Pack Is Your Voice Inside the Factory
When you’re not physically standing next to the pattern master, the tech pack becomes your voice.
It tells the manufacturer exactly how your garment should look, feel, and fit.
A strong tech pack:
- speeds up sampling
- reduces cost
- improves accuracy
- earns respect from factories
- builds your brand’s professionalism
If you want your designs to come out exactly as you imagine —
it starts with a complete, clear, and professional tech pack.
FAQs: How to Prepare Your Tech Pack for Sampling
1. Do I need a tech pack for a simple T-shirt?
Yes. Even simple garments require exact measurements, fabric GSM, and stitching details for accurate sampling.
2. Can I send pictures instead of a tech pack?
No. Pictures don’t provide measurements, construction details, or fabric information. Factories need a complete tech pack.
3. What software should I use for building tech packs?
Common options include Illustrator, CorelDRAW, CLO 3D, or professional services like Tech Pack Genius.
4. How many pages should a tech pack have?
Most tech packs range from 8–15 pages, depending on design complexity.
5. How long does it take to prepare a tech pack?
Professionals take 24–72 hours depending on garment type.
6. Does a complete tech pack reduce production cost?
Yes — because fewer mistakes, fewer revisions, and less factory time = lower cost.
7. Should I include branding details in the tech pack?
Absolutely. Labels, hangtags, and packaging are part of the final product experience.
Your design cannot go into production without a proper tech pack.
We deliver a factory-ready tech pack in 72 hours.👉 Start Your Tech Pack Today
👉 Talk to us on WhatsApp