What Is a Tech Pack?
A tech pack is a set of technical documents describing a garment in enough detail that a manufacturer can make a sample, and later a bulk order, without having to guess. It usually includes drawings, measurements, material specifications, construction details, colour references, labelling and packaging instructions. It is the shared reference between designer, pattern maker, factory and quality inspector.
For the case for why factories need one, read our guide to the tech pack: what it is and why your factory needs one. This article is the practical companion: how to actually build a tech pack from scratch.
Why a Good Tech Pack Matters
- Fewer sample rounds. Every unclear detail is a possible error and a possible extra sample, which costs time and money; see garment sampling.
- Accurate quotes. Suppliers can price what they can see; vague briefs produce vague prices. See the cost guide.
- Consistent bulk production. The tech pack ties the approved sample to what is made in bulk.
- Clear quality standards. Inspectors can check goods against written tolerances; see AQL inspection.
- Protection. A written specification gives you a basis for rework or claims if goods are wrong.
What Goes into a Clothing Tech Pack
| Section | What it contains |
|---|---|
| Cover page | Style name and number, season, date, version, designer, factory, size range, base size |
| Flat sketches | Front, back and side technical drawings with callouts |
| Construction details | Seam types, stitch types, stitches per inch, hem and cuff finishes, topstitching |
| Bill of materials (BOM) | Fabrics, linings, trims, zips, buttons, thread, labels, packaging, with specifications and suppliers |
| Measurement chart (points of measure) | Key dimensions with tolerances, graded across sizes |
| Colour and artwork | Colour references, print and embroidery artwork with placement and size |
| Labels and branding | Label types, content, placement, hangtags |
| Packaging | Folding, polybag, carton and packing details |
| Quality and testing | Tolerances, test requirements, special notes |
| Revision history | Change log with dates and versions |
How to Make a Clothing Tech Pack: Step by Step
Step 1: Start with a clear design
Gather a sketch, reference images and, if you can, a sample garment that fits the way you want. A physical reference is often the most reliable basis for measurements. Decide the base size, size range and target fit.
Step 2: Draw the flat sketches
Technical flats are neutral line drawings of the garment, usually front and back, drawn to proportion without a body. Add close-up views for pockets, collars, cuffs, zips and any complex details. Label every feature with a callout, such as “2 cm topstitch” or “bar tack at pocket corners”. You can draw flats in vector software, adapt templates or commission a freelancer.
Step 3: Write the construction notes
Describe how the garment is put together: seam types (for example overlocked, flat-felled or coverstitch), stitch density, which parts are lined or interfaced, how hems and cuffs finish, where to reinforce and what thread to use. Be specific and use the same terms throughout. If you are unsure of terms, ask the factory for their standard construction references.
Step 4: Build the bill of materials
List every component: main fabric (composition, weight, width, colour), contrast fabrics, lining, interlining, zips, buttons, drawcords, elastic, thread, labels, hangtags and packaging. Include the supplier or a reference swatch where relevant, the quantity per garment and the placement. Fabric choices are covered in T-shirt fabric, hoodie fabric and denim sourcing.
Step 5: Create the measurement chart
List the points of measure for your garment type: for a T-shirt, for example, chest width, body length, shoulder width, sleeve length, sleeve opening and neck width. Give the measurement for each in the base size, add tolerances (the acceptable plus or minus difference) and grade the other sizes in agreed increments. State whether measurements are taken flat, before or after wash. Our garment grading and size chart guide explains how to build the chart and grade it.
Step 6: Specify colours and artwork
Provide colour references from an accepted system or physical swatches, as screens misrepresent colour. For prints and embroidery, supply artwork files, exact placement from a fixed point (for example, “centre chest, 8 cm below the neckline”), dimensions and the decoration method; see screen printing vs embroidery vs DTG.
Step 7: Add labels and packaging
Specify the neck label, care and composition label, size label, hangtag, polybag and carton details, and show where each goes. Make sure the labels meet the legal rules of your market; see UK clothing labelling requirements.
Step 8: Add quality, testing and compliance notes
State the tolerances, the shrinkage allowance, wash and care instructions, test requirements and any restricted substances your buyers require; see garment testing.
Step 9: Review, version and send
Check the document against a checklist, ask someone else to read it as if they were the factory, name the file and version clearly and share it as a PDF with editable source files. Keep a record of every revision, and make sure the factory is working from the latest version.
Version Control and Communication
A tech pack changes as samples come back, so control versions from the start. Put the version number and date on every page, keep a revision log listing what changed and why, name files consistently (for example, StyleName_V3_2026-10-03) and tell the factory in writing which version replaces the previous one. Highlight changes in a different colour on the latest version so nobody has to hunt for them. When a sample comes back wrong, check first whether the tech pack was clear before blaming the factory: unclear instructions are the most common root cause of repeat samples. When you send feedback, number each point, refer to the section of the tech pack, and include a photo or marked-up measurement where possible.
Using the Tech Pack to Review a Sample
Treat the tech pack as your checklist when a sample arrives. Measure every point on the chart and record the actual against the target and tolerance. Compare the construction to the callouts, check that the fabric and trims match the BOM, look at the labels, artwork and placement against the specification, and wash a sample to check shrinkage if relevant. Write down what is right as well as what is wrong, so the factory knows what not to change. This disciplined review is what brings the number of rounds down from five or six to two or three, and our sampling guide explains the rounds in more detail.
Tools for Making a Tech Pack
- Spreadsheet and slide software: a free and flexible way to start, using a template for measurements and BOM and inserting images of your sketches.
- Vector illustration software: for clean technical flats.
- Dedicated fashion design and product lifecycle tools: useful for larger brands that manage many styles and revisions.
- Templates from your manufacturer: many factories have their own preferred format, which is often the quickest route.
- A freelance technical designer: a good choice if you are not confident in your technical skills, with costs that vary with complexity.
The tool matters less than clarity and completeness. A clean spreadsheet-based tech pack beats a glossy but vague one.
A Simple Example: A T-Shirt Measurement Table
The following is an illustrative extract for a unisex T-shirt, in centimetres, flat measurements, size M as the base. The numbers are examples to show the format, not a recommended size chart.
| Point of measure | S | M (base) | L | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest width (2.5 cm below armhole) | 50 | 53 | 56 | ±1.0 |
| Body length (high point shoulder) | 68 | 70 | 72 | ±1.0 |
| Shoulder width | 44 | 46 | 48 | ±0.5 |
| Sleeve length | 20 | 21 | 22 | ±0.5 |
| Neck width | 18 | 18.5 | 19 | ±0.5 |
The example shows three things every measurement chart needs: a clear definition of how each point is measured, grading steps between sizes and a tolerance.
Tech Pack Checklist
- Style number, version, date and base size on every page
- Front and back flats with callouts and close-ups of complex details
- Construction and stitching notes
- Complete bill of materials with specifications
- Measurement chart with tolerances and grading
- Colour references and artwork with placement
- Labels, hangtags and packaging instructions
- Quality, testing and shrinkage requirements
- Revision history
Common Tech Pack Mistakes
- Missing measurements or tolerances, which leaves the factory guessing.
- Inconsistent details, such as a sketch that contradicts the BOM.
- Vague fabric descriptions, like “soft cotton”, with no weight or composition.
- No colour references.
- Forgetting trims, labels or packaging.
- Not updating the version after changes.
- Overcomplicating the garment for a first collection.
After the Tech Pack: What Happens Next
Send the tech pack with your request for quotation to shortlisted suppliers; see how to find a clothing manufacturer. The chosen factory makes a first sample, you review it against the tech pack, update the document and repeat until you approve a pre-production sample. Then move to bulk, as described in how to manufacture clothing in bulk. For the whole path, read the private label manufacturing process.
Tech Pack Support at Ruhrose
If you are not sure you can produce a full tech pack, Ruhrose can help turn a sketch or reference garment into a development specification as part of product development, with production from 500 pieces per style and colour. Start a product enquiry and share what you have, and we will tell you what is needed next.