What Should Be Included in a Tech Pack? A Complete Guide for Fashion Brands
Every successful fashion product starts long before the first stitch.
Long before the first sample.
Even long before the designer imagines the final silhouette.
It begins with one document — the Tech Pack — the blueprint that can make your production smooth… or painfully expensive.
If you’re tired of delays, wrong samples, and back-and-forth with factories, this guide will feel like a breath of fresh air.
What Exactly Is a Tech Pack?
A Tech Pack, short for “Technical Package,” is a detailed instruction manual for your garment or fashion product.
It tells manufacturers exactly what to make, how to make it, and how the final product should look and feel.
Think of it as:
👉 The Google Maps of garment production
👉 The recipe that ensures every version tastes the same
👉 The bridge between your idea and your manufacturer’s execution
A good tech pack reduces mistakes, speeds up production, and ensures the factory follows your exact requirements.
Now let’s dive into what must be included in a professional tech pack.
1. Cover Page (Your Product’s Identity Card)
The cover page is simple but important. It gives the manufacturer a quick overview.
What to include:
- Product Name
- Style Number/Code
- Category (e.g., Women’s Activewear / Men’s Casual Shirt)
- Season (SS25, FW25, etc.)
- Brand Name / Logo
- Designer Contact Information
- Version Number (v1, v2, v3)
Why this matters
Factories deal with hundreds of styles each season. A clean cover page ensures your product never gets mixed with someone else’s.
Example:
A U.S.-based swimwear brand exporting to Bali uses style codes like SW25-001 so factories track updates easily.
2. Technical Sketches (Flat Sketches)
Flat sketches are black-and-white technical drawings showing the front and back of the garment.
What to include:
- Front view
- Back view
- Side views (if necessary)
- Zoomed details (pockets, closures, ribbing, etc.)
Tip:
Keep sketches clean, sharp, and technical — not fashion illustrations.
Why it matters:
Factories interpret visuals better than long explanations. A clear flat sketch eliminates confusion.
Real-Life Scenario:
A London-based streetwear brand once added “cool oversized hoodie with dropped shoulders” in text.
The factory produced three samples — all different interpretations.
Once they added proper flat sketches, the sample came out perfect on the first try.
3. Construction Details (How the Garment Should Be Built)
These are instructions describing exactly how manufacturers should stitch and assemble the product.
What to include:
- Stitch type (overlock, lockstitch, flatlock)
- Number of stitches per inch (SPI)
- Seam types
- Pocket construction
- Collar construction
- Cuff & hem specifications
Beginner-friendly explanation:
Stitch Type → how the needle sews the fabric
SPI → how tight the stitches are
Seam Type → how fabric pieces join together
Why this matters:
Factories need technical clarity — not assumptions.
Wrong construction can change fit, durability, and comfort.
Example:
Activewear brands often use flatlock stitching to avoid skin irritation. Mentioning this ensures the factory uses the right machines.
4. Measurements & Size Chart (The Heart of the Tech Pack)
This is the most important section.
A measurement sheet tells the manufacturer what size the garment should be.
What to include:
- Point of Measurements (POMs)
- Tolerance (+/- allowed difference)
- Graded size chart (XS–XL or custom sizes)
- Units (cm or inches)
Simple breakdown:
POMs: Chest, Waist, Hip, Length, Sleeve Length, Cuff Width, etc.
Tolerance: How much the measurement can differ without affecting quality.
Why factories love this section:
It gives them exact numbers.
No guessing. No assumptions.
Real Example:
A German sustainable brand uses strict tolerances of ±0.5 cm to ensure premium quality — that’s why their fit is consistent across all batches.
5. Bill of Materials (BOM)
This is a detailed list of everything needed to make the garment.
What to include:
- Fabrics
- Trims
- Buttons
- Zippers
- Threads
- Labels
- Tags
- Packaging materials
Key details to add:
- Supplier name
- Composition (95% cotton, 5% spandex)
- GSM / Fabric weight
- Color codes
- Finish (bio-wash, brushed, waterproof coating)
Why it matters:
A missing zipper detail or wrong fabric composition can delay production by weeks.
Practical Example:
If you’re making yoga leggings, specifying 220 GSM, 75% Nylon / 25% Spandex, 4-way stretch ensures the factory doesn’t substitute it with cheaper material.
6. Colorways & Pantone Codes
Color in fashion is never “red” or “blue.”
It’s:
- Pantone 18-1664 TCX
- Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue
- Pantone 11-0602 Snow White
What to include:
- Color names
- Pantone codes
- Fabric swatch references
- Print placement per colorway
Why it matters:
Manufacturers in India, China, Bangladesh, and Turkey all rely on Pantone — it’s the global color language.
Example:
An Australian resortwear brand uses Pantone for prints to ensure the same pink appears consistently across batches and suppliers.
7. Trims, Accessories & Embellishments
This section covers the smaller details that shape your garment’s identity.
Included items:
- Buttons
- Zippers
- Elastic
- Drawstrings
- Rivets
- Badges
- Embroidery
- Printing methods
What to specify:
- Size
- Color
- Finish
- Placement
- Supplier reference
Why it matters:
If the zipper puller isn’t specified, the factory might choose a cheaper version.
And that tiny difference can make your product look less premium.
8. Print, Artwork & Embroidery Details
If your garment includes graphics, this section ensures accuracy.
What to include:
- High-resolution artwork
- Print technique (DTF, screen print, puff print, sublimation)
- Dimensions
- Placement (left chest, back, sleeve)
- Color layers
- Embroidery thread codes
Global Example:
US streetwear brands use puff print for 3D effects.
Performance brands use heat-transfer prints for lightweight logos.
9. Label & Packaging Information
This includes the branding elements that finish your product.
What to include:
- Main label
- Care label (with washing instructions)
- Size label
- Hang tag design
- Barcode placement
- Polybag size & thickness
- Folding method
Why it matters:
Some brands lose money because their products lack correct care labels — leading to returns, complaints, and packaging issues at warehouses.
Example:
Zara and Uniqlo follow strict packaging standards to make warehouse sorting easier.
You can do the same — even as a small brand.
10. Fit Notes & Design Intent
This section tells the factory what the garment should “feel like.”
Include:
- Fit type (oversized, slim-fit, relaxed)
- Drape expectations
- Key design inspiration
- Reference product links
Why it matters:
Fit is subjective.
One factory’s “oversized” may be another’s “relaxed fit.”
This section ensures consistency.
Example:
Korean brands often add “soft drape, feminine flow” for dresses to help factories choose the right construction style.
11. Sample Comments & Revision History
Every time a sample is made, you add comments.
What to include:
- Photos of the sample
- Measurements taken from the sample
- Issues identified (fit, stitching, fabric)
- Approvals (OK, revise, correct)
- Version updates (v2, v3, v4)
Why it matters:
This prevents repeating mistakes.
Factories love clarity.
12. Costing Sheet (Optional but Useful)
Not all tech packs include costing, but many growing brands add it.
Include:
- Estimated cost of fabric
- Cost of trims
- Labor cost
- Total cost per piece
- Target cost
This helps the factory quote accurately.
13. Quality Control Checklist
This ensures your standards are met before production.
QC checklist items:
- No loose threads
- Correct stitching type
- Correct measurements
- Color match approved
- Print quality verified
- Fabric strength check
Why it matters:
A simple QC checklist can save thousands of dollars in returns.
Practical Tips for Creating a Perfect Tech Pack
1. Start with a clean template.
This speeds up production and reduces errors.
2. Use consistent terminology.
Factories don’t always understand brand-specific language.
3. Add visuals wherever possible.
Images reduce misunderstandings.
4. Update version numbers every time.
Never send an outdated document.
5. Always share PDF format.
PDFs protect your design and ensure everything stays aligned.
Global Examples of Brands Using Strong Tech Packs
1. Nike
Uses extremely detailed construction and testing guidelines to maintain global consistency across 700+ factories.
2. Shein
Optimizes tech packs for speed — clear details help them scale hundreds of styles per day.
3. Small Shopify brands
Activewear, streetwear, and resortwear startups use tech packs to reduce sampling costs by 40–60%.
You can replicate the same process with strong documentation.
Conclusion: Without a Solid Tech Pack, Production Becomes Guesswork
A tech pack isn’t just a document — it’s your product’s DNA.
It protects your vision, reduces mistakes, cuts sampling costs, and builds trust with your manufacturer.
If you want faster production, fewer revisions, and a more professional brand image…
Then a strong tech pack is your most powerful tool.
And if you need a fast, accurate, professional tech pack —
Tech Pack Genius delivers industry-leading tech packs within 72 hours, trusted by fashion startups and global brands.
FAQs
1. Why is a tech pack important?
It guides manufacturers with exact details, reducing mistakes and improving sample accuracy.
2. Do small clothing brands need tech packs?
Yes. Tech packs help you save time, money, and confusion — no matter your brand size.
3. Can I create a tech pack without a designer?
Yes, if you have clarity and reference images. But a professional tech pack expert ensures accuracy.
4. How many pages is a typical tech pack?
Usually 8–25 pages depending on complexity.
5. Can one tech pack include multiple colorways?
Yes, add a separate section listing all colors with Pantone references.
6. Should I include fabrics in the tech pack?
Absolutely. Fabric composition and GSM are crucial for getting the right fit and feel.
7. How often is a tech pack updated?
Every time a sample is revised — version control is essential.