How to Create a Hoodie Tech Pack (Step-by-Step Guide for Fashion Brands)

There’s a moment every fashion entrepreneur remembers—
That feeling when your hoodie idea looks perfect in your mind…
…but the factory sends a sample that looks nothing like what you imagined.

Too tight. Wrong fabric. Off colors. Bad fit.
Suddenly, you realize one truth: your idea is only as strong as your tech pack.

If this has happened to you—even once—you’re in the right place.

Understanding the Hoodie Tech Pack (Simple Explanation)

A hoodie tech pack is a blueprint your manufacturer uses to understand your design exactly the way you see it.

It includes every specification:
✔ Measurements
✔ Fabric details
✔ Stitching style
✔ Printing or embroidery artwork
✔ Trims & accessories
✔ Label placement
✔ Colorways
✔ Construction notes
✔ Packaging info

Think of it as the Google Maps for your production team—if directions aren’t clear, they get lost.

A good hoodie tech pack reduces:
• Miscommunication
• Bad samples
• Delays
• Costly revisions

A great hoodie tech pack does something more:
It gives you factory-level clarity even if you’re not a technical designer.

And today, you’ll learn exactly how to create one.

Why Hoodies Need Extra Attention

Hoodies are not just “sweatshirts with a hood.”
They have multiple components: hood, eyelets, drawcords, rib, kangaroo pocket, zipper options, lining, and more.

Each component adds complexity.

A wrong rib width or poor hood shape can ruin the entire silhouette.

That’s why brands like Nike, Champion, Essentials, and Zara rely on extremely detailed tech packs—because hoodie fit affects both comfort and brand perception.

You can do the same.

Step-by-Step: How to Create a Hoodie Tech Pack

Below is a complete, beginner-friendly guide written exactly the way factories expect.

1. Start With the Hoodie Design Sketch (Flat Sketch)

What it is:

A technical drawing showing the hoodie from the front, back, and sometimes side view.

Why it matters:

Factories cannot stitch based on imagination. They need precise visuals.

What to include:

• Hoodie body shape
• Hood style (2-panel / 3-panel / scuba hood)
• Kangaroo pocket or welt pockets
• Rib at hem & cuffs
• Zipper or pullover
• Drawcord placement
• Stitching lines

Pro Tip:

Don’t use fashion illustration. Use flat sketches—clean, symmetrical, factory-ready.

Example:

A startup in Melbourne once sent a Pinterest-style sketch to their supplier. The result? The manufacturer added a chest pocket because “they thought it looked good.”
Flat sketches avoid creative assumptions.

2. Add Hoodie Measurements (Measurement Sheet)

This is where most brands get it wrong.

Factories need numeric clarity, not guesswork.

Include measurements for:

• Chest/Bust
• Body length
• Sleeve length
• Hood height & width
• Rib width
• Shoulder width
• Armhole
• Bicep
• Pocket width & height
• Neck opening
• Sweatband height (if any)

Tip:

Use industry-standard sizes but adjust based on your audience.
For example:
• US streetwear hoodies → oversized fit
• European fashion hoodies → more structured
• Asian markets → slightly slimmer grading

Example:

A Korean streetwear brand used a 5cm drop shoulder, while a New York-based brand used 10cm. The fit changed the entire vibe.

3. Choose Your Fabric & Material Details

Your tech pack must clearly specify the fabric.

Fabric Details to Include:

✔ Fabric composition (e.g., 80% Cotton / 20% Polyester)
✔ GSM (weight)
✔ Knit type (Fleece / French Terry / Interlock)
✔ Stretch percentage
✔ Pre-shrunk or not
✔ Whether brushed or unbrushed

Why this matters:

A hoodie with 280 GSM feels completely different from one with 360 GSM.

Factories will replace your fabric with cheaper options if you don’t specify it.

Example:

For winter markets like Canada, brands use 350–380 GSM brushed fleece.
For tropical markets like Southeast Asia, 260–300 GSM French Terry works better.

4. Define the Hoodie Construction Details

These are technical instructions that guide garment assembly.

Construction Notes to Include:

• Stitch type (Flatlock / Overlock / Coverstitch)
• Hood panel style
• Pocket construction method
• Zipper type & placement
• Rib attachment method
• Seam allowances
• Topstitch positions
• Lining (if any)

Example:

If you don’t specify flatlock stitching, factories may use overlock—cheaper but less premium.

5. Add Trims, Accessories & Hardware

Small details can elevate your hoodie’s quality.

List every trim, such as:

• Drawcord type (round/flat, 8mm/12mm)
• Metal/plastic eyelets
• Zipper type (YKK/no.5 coil/no.8 metal)
• Rib fabric composition
• Neck tape details
• Labels & tags
• Logo patches

Tip:

Always include clear photos or digital mockups inside the tech pack.

Example:

A European brand once wrote “metal zipper” in their tech pack.
Factory used a shiny gold zipper.
They wanted matte silver.
The sample was rejected and delayed two weeks.

Be specific.

6. Add Artwork, Printing, or Embroidery Details

If your hoodie includes branding or graphics, specify:
✔ Artwork size
✔ Placement (distance from HPS—high point shoulder)
✔ Colors (Pantone codes)
✔ Technique: Print / Puff print / Embroidery / Appliqué / Patch
✔ Thickness for embroidery
✔ Texture preferences
✔ File names & format

Example:

A Los Angeles streetwear brand added a puff print logo but didn’t specify thickness. The factory used 1mm instead of 3mm. The result looked flat—brand refused the entire batch.

7. Add Colorways (Every Version of the Hoodie)

Factories need color clarity.

Include for each colorway:

• Body color
• Hood lining color
• Rib color
• Drawcord color
• Print/embroidery color
• Binding color

Tip:

Always use Pantone codes for universal accuracy.

Global Example:

Pantone 19-0303 (Jet Black) is used by hundreds of global brands to keep “black hoodies” looking consistent across factories.

8. Create a Grading Sheet for All Sizes

Your hoodie will come in multiple sizes (S, M, L, XL…).

A grading sheet shows how measurements grow or shrink.

Example:

If chest measurement is:

• S = 56 cm
• M = 58 cm
• L = 60 cm
  Then grading increment is +2 cm per size.

Tip:

Don’t follow random grading charts—calculate based on your target market’s fit preferences.

9. Add Labeling & Packaging Instructions

Factories need clear packaging guidelines.

Include details like:

• Brand label placement
• Care label content
• Hangtag design
• Polybag dimensions
• Folding method
• Barcode position
• Packaging quantity per carton

Example:

Amazon FBA sellers must follow strict packaging dimensions. Without instructions, you risk rejection and extra charges.

10. Final Page: Summary Sheet (The Factory’s Favorite Page)

This page gives a quick bird’s-eye view:

✔ Style name
✔ Season
✔ Fabric
✔ Trims
✔ Construction highlights
✔ Artwork details
✔ Sizes
✔ Colorways
✔ Date of creation
✔ Revision number

Factories love this because it saves them time.

Practical Tips to Create a Perfect Hoodie Tech Pack

1. Always triple-check measurements.

A 1cm mistake becomes a 1,000-piece problem during production.

2. Use real Pantone colors, not screen colors.

Screens vary; Pantone books don’t.

3. Add real photos, not imagination.

Factories interpret visuals better than text.

4. Mention “NO CHANGES WITHOUT APPROVAL.”

Prevents unauthorized modifications.

5. If you’re scaling globally, create weather-based versions.

Warm markets → French Terry
Cold markets → Fleece / Heavy GSM

Beginner-Friendly Explanation of Terms

GSM – Weight of fabric. Higher GSM = thicker hoodie.
Flatlock stitch – Flat, premium stitch seen in athletic wear.
HPS – High Point Shoulder; used to measure placements.
Panels – Fabric pieces used to create shapes (like the hood).
Pantone colors – Universal color codes for accuracy.
Grading – Increasing or decreasing sizes proportionally.

Real-Life Scenarios from Global Markets

USA Streetwear Market

Oversized hoodies with heavy fleece (360–420 GSM) are trending. Artwork clarity matters most.

European Minimalist Brands

Slimmer silhouettes, high-quality zippers, and neutral color palettes dominate.

Asian Ecommerce Brands

Lower GSM (250–300), budget-friendly fits, and trendy graphics.

Middle Eastern Market

Premium fabrics, modest fits, and high durability stitching preferred.

Knowing your market helps you customize your tech pack.

Conclusion: Your Hoodie Dream Needs a Professional Blueprint

Every successful hoodie brand—from Essentials to Yeezy to Zara—relies on one critical document:
A flawless tech pack.

It’s the difference between guesswork and precision,
between bad samples and perfect production,
between wasting money and scaling confidently.

If you want:
✔ Faster sampling
✔ Accurate production
✔ Zero confusion with manufacturers
✔ A product that matches your vision

Then creating a strong hoodie tech pack isn’t optional—it’s essential.

And if you want your tech pack done professionally, quickly, and factory-ready,
Tech Pack Genius can create one for you in as fast as 72 hours.

FAQs

1. Do I really need a tech pack to make a hoodie?

Yes. Without a tech pack, factories guess. Guessing leads to wrong samples and production delays.

2. How many pages should a hoodie tech pack be?

Typically 8–14 pages depending on design complexity.

3. Can beginners create a hoodie tech pack?

Yes—with the right guidance. But professionals save more time and prevent costly mistakes.

4. What fabric GSM is best for hoodies?

For winter: 320–380 GSM.
For summer or tropical markets: 240–300 GSM.

5. How long does it take to make a hoodie tech pack?

A professional team like Tech Pack Genius can complete it in 48–72 hours.

6. How detailed should measurements be?

Very detailed—include every point: chest, hood, rib, pocket, sleeve, etc.

7. Can one tech pack be used by multiple factories?

Absolutely. That’s the biggest advantage—it standardizes your product globally.