Most problems between new brands and factories come down to assumptions. You imagined a dropped shoulder; they made a regular one. You wanted a 2 cm rib; they used 1.5 cm. A tech pack removes the guesswork by putting every decision on paper.
What is a tech pack?
Think of a tech pack as the recipe for one garment. A photo or a reference piece shows a factory what you like. A tech pack tells them exactly what to make: which fabric, how many centimetres for each measurement in each size, which stitch on the hem, where the print sits and how each piece is folded and packed.
The factory uses it at every stage:
- Quoting: fabric, GSM, trims and print method decide the cost, so a quote without a tech pack is a guess.
- Sampling: the pattern maker and sampling tailor work from your measurements and drawings.
- Bulk production: the line follows the approved version, and the quality team checks pieces against your size chart and tolerances.
Without one, every one of those steps relies on memory and WhatsApp messages, which is how a sample comes back in the wrong shade or fit.
What goes into a tech pack
| Section | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Cover page | Style name and number, season, brand, date and version |
| Flat sketches | Front and back technical drawings, with callouts for details |
| Size chart (spec sheet) | Measurements for every size, how to measure each point, and tolerances |
| Bill of materials (BOM) | Fabric, composition, GSM, colour, plus every trim: thread, rib, buttons, zips, drawcords |
| Construction details | Stitch types, seam finishes, hem widths, neck finish |
| Artwork and placement | Print or embroidery files, sizes, colours (Pantone where possible) and exact placement |
| Labels and packaging | Neck label, wash care label, hang tag, polybag and folding instructions |
| Order sheet | Quantity per colour and size, and the delivery date you need |
Want to see every section filled in? Our t-shirt tech pack example walks through a complete one, page by page.
The size chart: the most important page
For a t-shirt, the key measuring points are usually:
- Chest width (measured 2 to 3 cm below the armhole)
- Body length (from high point of shoulder to hem)
- Shoulder width
- Sleeve length and sleeve opening
- Armhole depth
- Neck width, neck drop and rib width
- Hem width
Give each measurement for every size, and add a tolerance, for example plus or minus 1 cm on body measurements. Tolerances turn "this looks off" into an objective check.
Write down how each point is measured too. "Chest" could mean half chest measured flat or the full circumference, and the two numbers differ by a factor of two. Most Indian factories measure garments flat, so say "half chest, measured flat" if that is what you mean.
Tech pack template: a page-by-page checklist
Use this as your template. If a page is blank when you send it, the factory will fill the gap with its own default. Prefer a ready-made file? Download our free tech pack template in Excel, Google Sheets or PDF.
- Cover: brand, style name, style number, version, date, contact person.
- Flats: front and back drawings, with arrows to every detail (rib, topstitch, pocket, label position).
- Spec sheet: measuring points down the side, sizes across the top, tolerance column, a small diagram showing where each point is measured.
- BOM: main fabric (type, composition, GSM, colour), rib or contrast fabric, thread, and every trim with size and colour.
- Construction: seam type for side, shoulder and sleeve, hem finish and width, neck finish, any taping or reinforcement.
- Artwork: print or embroidery method, artwork size in cm, colour references, placement measured from a fixed point.
- Labels and packing: neck or printed label, care label content and position, hang tag, fold, polybag, size sticker, carton marking.
- Order sheet: colour by size quantities, target delivery date, delivery address.
How to make a tech pack without a designer
- Collect references: photos of garments with the fit, fabric and details you want.
- Draw flats: simple front and back outlines. Free templates and tools like Canva or Google Slides work for a first version.
- Measure a reference garment and build your size chart.
- List materials: fabric type, composition, GSM, colours and every trim. Our fabric and GSM guide explains the terms.
- Add artwork: high-resolution files with placement measured from fixed points, such as "8 cm below the neck seam, centred."
- Specify labels and packing.
- Version it: every change after a sample gets a new version number and date.
If you do hire a freelance designer or technical designer, prices vary a lot with the garment's complexity and the number of sizes. Ask whether the fee includes size grading and revisions after the first sample, because those are where extra charges usually appear.
Tech pack vs spec sheet vs BOM
Factories and designers use these words loosely, so it helps to know what each one usually means.
| Term | What it usually means | Enough on its own? |
|---|---|---|
| Tech pack | The full package: drawings, measurements, materials, construction, artwork, labels, packing | Yes, for a new style |
| Spec sheet | The measurement table and tolerances, sometimes with a sketch | Only when the base product already exists |
| BOM | The list of every material and trim, with quantities | No, it is one section of the tech pack |
Tech packs for pooled and private label orders
If you join a pooled lot or build on a manufacturer's existing product, much of the tech pack already exists: fabric, construction and base measurements are fixed for the lot. You only need a short spec sheet covering what is yours, such as quantity and size split, colour where offered, print artwork and placement, and labels. It is one more reason pooling is a quick way to launch. Read how private label works for more on building on an existing product.
Common tech pack mistakes
- Missing tolerances, so there is no agreed standard for quality checks.
- Vague placement like "print on chest" instead of measured positions.
- No colour references, leading to the wrong shade. Use Pantone codes or physical swatches.
- Unspecified GSM or composition, so the fabric feels different from what you imagined.
- Unclear measuring method, such as not saying whether chest is half or full.
- Old versions in circulation. Always send the latest version and say what changed.
- Forgetting labels and packing, which leads to last-minute delays.
From tech pack to production
Send your tech pack with your quote request. Review the first sample against it point by point, record changes in a new version, and approve a final pre-production sample before bulk. See the clothing sampling process for how samples are reviewed round by round, and our supplier vetting guide for how to check them. When you are ready, share your tech pack with Voz Cruda for matching and a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tech pack in clothing?
A tech pack is a document that gives a manufacturer everything needed to make a garment: technical drawings, measurements for every size, fabric, trims, colours, artwork placement, labels and packing instructions.
What does tech pack stand for?
Tech pack is short for technical package. It is the technical package of drawings and specifications that goes from a brand to a factory.
Do I need a tech pack for a small order?
Yes. Even for small quantities, a tech pack reduces misunderstandings and sampling rounds. For pooled or private label orders built on an existing product, a shorter spec sheet covering your changes is often enough.
What is the difference between a tech pack and a spec sheet?
A spec sheet is usually one part of a tech pack: the table of measurements and tolerances for each size. The full tech pack adds drawings, materials, construction, artwork, labels and packing.
Can I make a tech pack without a designer?
Yes. You can start from a garment you like, measure it, sketch flat drawings with simple tools and list fabric, trims and artwork details. Many founders do their first tech pack themselves.
What software is used to make tech packs?
Many designers use Adobe Illustrator for flat sketches and spreadsheets or PDF layouts for specifications. Simple tech packs can be made in Google Slides, Canva or Excel. Send the factory a PDF so the layout does not shift.
How many pages is a tech pack?
A simple t-shirt tech pack can fit on four to six pages. Garments with more parts, such as jackets, shirts or lined dresses, need more pages for construction details and trims.
What is a measurement tolerance in a tech pack?
Tolerance is the allowed difference between your specified measurement and the finished garment, such as plus or minus 1 cm. Agreeing tolerances upfront makes quality checks objective.