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When a clothing brand wants to manufacture a new garment, a simple sketch is not enough. Manufacturers need detailed instructions about the design, fabric, measurements, trims, stitching, colours, labels, prints, packaging, and quality requirements. That complete technical document is commonly called a garment tech pack. A tech pack helps convert a clothing idea into a product that can actually be sampled and manufactured. For new clothing brands, learning how tech packs work can reduce confusion, improve sample accuracy, and prevent costly production mistakes. This guide explains what a garment tech pack is, what information it usually contains, why manufacturers need it, and how brands can prepare one before production. What Is a Garment Tech Pack? A garment tech pack, short for technical package, is a detailed document that communicates all important product specifications from the brand or designer to the manufacturer. It acts as a production blueprint. A tech pack may include: Garment sketches Measurements Fabric details Colour information Stitching instructions Trims Labels Printing or embroidery details Size specifications Construction notes Packaging instructions The exact format can vary depending on the garment category and manufacturer. For a simple T-shirt, the tech pack may be relatively short. For a complex jacket, sportswear garment, or fashion product, it may contain many pages of detailed technical information. Why Is a Tech Pack Important? A tech pack helps reduce assumptions. Without clear documentation, a manufacturer may have to guess details such as: What fabric should be used? What GSM is required? What neckline construction is needed? Where should the logo be placed? What should the chest measurement be? Which thread colour should be used? What size label is required? How should the garment be packed? Every guess creates a risk of error. A detailed tech pack gives the manufacturer a clear reference to follow. It also makes communication easier when samples need corrections. Instead of saying: “Make the sleeve a little longer.” the brand can specify: “Increase sleeve length from 22 cm to 23 cm.” This makes development more precise. Who Uses a Garment Tech Pack? A tech pack may be used by several people during the garment development process. These can include: Fashion designer Technical designer Pattern maker Merchandiser Fabric sourcing team Sampling team Garment manufacturer Quality control team Production team Brand owner Everyone involved can refer to the same technical information. This helps keep development consistent. What Information Does a Manufacturer Need? Manufacturers usually require enough information to understand exactly what garment needs to be made. The main sections are explained below. 1. Garment Style Information The first section usually contains basic product identification details. This may include: Brand name Style name Style number Product category Season Collection name Gender or target customer Date Version number For example: Style Name: Oversized Essential T-ShirtStyle Number: TS-001Category: Unisex T-ShirtFit: OversizedSeason: Summer Collection A style number helps avoid confusion when multiple garments are being developed at the same time. 2. Technical Flat Sketches One of the most important parts of a tech pack is the technical flat sketch. This is a clean drawing that shows the garment without a model. Usually, both front and back views are included. For complex garments, additional views may be required. The sketch can show: Neckline Sleeves Seams Pockets Zippers Panels Cuffs Rib Drawstrings Logo placement Stitch lines Technical flats are different from fashion illustrations. A fashion illustration communicates the overall style. A technical flat communicates construction. 3. Fabric Specifications The tech pack should clearly describe the required fabric. Important information can include: Fabric name Fibre composition Knit or weave structure GSM Width or DIA Stretch Finish Colour Performance properties For example: Fabric: Polyester InterlockComposition: 100% PolyesterGSM: 160DIA: 60Finish: Quick-dry finishColour: Black For another product: Fabric: Cotton Single JerseyComposition: 100% CottonGSM: 220Fit: Oversized T-shirt The more specific the fabric requirement, the easier it is for the manufacturer to source the correct material. 4. Colour Information Colour should be clearly defined. Avoid instructions such as: Dark blue Light green Nice brown These descriptions are subjective. Instead, brands may use: Pantone references Approved lab dips Physical fabric swatches Supplier shade references For example: Colour: Pantone 19-4006 TCX Black Beauty When exact colour matching is important, physical approval samples are usually more reliable than screen colours alone. 5. Bill of Materials A Bill of Materials, often called a BOM, lists all materials used to make the garment. This can include: Main fabric Rib Lining Zipper Buttons Drawcord Elastic Labels Thread Hang tag Packaging For example: Item Material Colour Supplier / Reference Main Fabric Polyester Interlock Black Approved Neck Rib Polyester Rib Black Match body Main Label Woven Label Black/White Brand artwork Size Label Satin Label Black S–XXL The BOM helps ensure nothing is forgotten. 6. Measurement Specification The measurement specification is one of the most critical parts of the tech pack. It tells the factory how large each part of the garment should be. For a T-shirt, measurements may include: Chest Length Shoulder Sleeve length Sleeve opening Neck width Front neck drop Bottom opening Example: Measurement M Chest Width 52 cm Body Length 70 cm Shoulder 46 cm Sleeve Length 22 cm Sleeve Opening 18 cm These values are only examples. Actual measurements depend on the garment and fit. 7. Size Grading If the garment is being produced in multiple sizes, the tech pack may include measurements for every size. Example: Measurement S M L XL XXL Chest Width 50 52 54 56 58 Body Length 68 70 72 74 76 Shoulder 45 46 47 48 49 This is called a graded measurement specification. The manufacturer uses these measurements when creating or checking different sizes. 8. Measurement Tolerances Production garments may not measure exactly the same down to the millimetre. Therefore, brands often specify acceptable tolerances. Example: Chest Width: 52 cm ± 1 cm Body Length: 70 cm ± 1 cm Tolerances should be realistic and appropriate for the garment. Too-tight tolerances can make production difficult. Too-loose tolerances can create inconsistent fitting. 9. Point of Measurement Instructions A measurement value is useful only if the factory knows exactly where to measure it. This is why tech packs often include POMs, or Points of Measurement. For example: Chest Width: Measure straight across the garment 2.5 cm below the armhole. Body Length: Measure from the highest shoulder point to the bottom hem. Sleeve Length: Measure from shoulder seam to sleeve opening. Clear POM instructions reduce measurement disputes. 10. Construction Details The construction section explains how the garment should be assembled. It may include: Seam type Stitch type Stitch density Seam allowance Hem construction Neck construction Reinforcement Bartack locations Overlock details Coverstitch details For example: 4-thread overlock on side seams Twin-needle coverstitch at sleeve hem Neck rib attached with overlock Shoulder tape reinforcement These instructions can be simple or highly detailed depending on the product. 11. Stitching Instructions Stitching affects both appearance and durability. A tech pack may specify: Thread type Thread colour Stitch type SPI Decorative stitching SPI means stitches per inch. Higher or lower stitch density can influence appearance, seam strength, and fabric behaviour. The correct stitching specification depends on garment type and fabric. 12. Print Details If the garment includes printing, the tech pack should include clear artwork and placement instructions. Important details can include: Print method Artwork file Print size Print colour Placement Distance from seams Printing technique For example: Print Type: Screen PrintPrint Size: 20 cm × 25 cmPlacement: Centre FrontPosition: 8 cm below neck seam Without exact placement instructions, prints may appear too high, too low, or off-centre. 13. Embroidery Details For embroidery, include information such as: Artwork Size Placement Thread colour Stitch type Embroidery technique For example: Embroidery: Left Chest LogoSize: 6 cm wideThread Colour: WhitePlacement: 8 cm from centre front, 12 cm below shoulder A physical embroidery sample may also be approved before bulk production. 14. Label Information Garments may require several types of labels. These can include: Main brand label Size label Care label Composition label Country-of-origin label The tech pack should specify: Label size Material Colour Placement Artwork Folding method For example: Main Label Placement: Centre back neck seam Size Label Placement: Below main label 15. Care Label Information Care instructions should match the actual garment and fabric. Typical information may include: Washing instructions Drying instructions Ironing instructions Bleaching instructions Dry-cleaning instructions Care labels may also contain: Fibre composition Country of origin Manufacturer information Size Applicable legal labelling requirements depend on the market where the garment is sold. Brands should confirm the relevant rules for their destination market. 16. Trims and Accessories Trims are all garment components other than the main fabric. Examples include: Zippers Buttons Snaps Elastic Eyelets Drawstrings Cord stoppers Velcro Buckles The tech pack should define important details such as: Size Colour Material Supplier Finish For example: Zipper: No. 5 Nylon ZipperColour: BlackLength: 65 cm 17. Packaging Instructions Packaging can also be included in the tech pack or a separate packing manual. Instructions may cover: Folding method Polybag size Size sticker Barcode Hang tag placement Carton quantity Carton dimensions Packing ratio For example: 1 garment per polybag Size sticker on upper right corner 20 garments per carton Clear packaging instructions improve consistency during dispatch. 18. Artwork and Logo Placement A manufacturer should never have to guess logo size or placement. The tech pack can specify: Artwork file Logo width Logo height Placement coordinates Distance from seam For example: Chest Logo: 8 cm wide Placement: 7 cm below shoulder seam and 9 cm from centre front This is much clearer than simply writing: “Put logo on left chest.” 19. Reference Images Reference images can help explain design intent. They may show: Fit Stitching style Pocket shape Wash effect Fabric texture Print finish Garment silhouette However, reference images should support the technical instructions, not replace them. A manufacturer still needs exact specifications. 20. Sample Comments During development, the first sample is rarely perfect. The tech pack may be updated with sample comments. For example: Increase body length by 2 cm Reduce sleeve opening by 1 cm Move logo 3 cm upward Make neckline 1 cm wider Change rib colour to match body Keeping sample comments documented helps prevent the same mistake from being repeated. 21. Revision History Tech packs change during development. A revision history records those changes. Example: Version Date Changes V1 01-10-2026 Initial specification V2 05-10-2026 Sleeve length updated V3 08-10-2026 Print placement approved This helps ensure the factory is using the latest file. Always use clear version control. What Is a Tech Pack BOM? The BOM, or Bill of Materials, is one section of the tech pack. It lists everything required to manufacture the garment. For a hoodie, the BOM may include: Main fleece fabric Rib Drawcord Eyelets Zipper Main label Size label Care label Thread Polybag Hang tag This helps with costing, sourcing, and production planning. What Is a Garment Specification Sheet? A garment specification sheet mainly focuses on measurements. A tech pack is broader. It can include: Design Construction Fabric Measurements Colours Trims Labels Artwork Packaging So the measurement sheet is usually one part of the full tech pack. Tech Pack vs Fashion Sketch These are not the same. Fashion Sketch Shows the creative idea and appearance. Tech Pack Explains how to manufacture the garment. A beautiful fashion illustration may inspire the product, but the factory still needs technical details. Tech Pack vs Sample Garment A physical sample can communicate many details, but it should not always replace documentation. Samples can be lost, damaged, or misunderstood. A tech pack creates a written technical record. For best results, brands often use both: Approved Sample + Approved Tech Pack Why New Clothing Brands Should Use Tech Packs New brands sometimes think tech packs are only necessary for large companies. That is not true. Tech packs can be especially useful for smaller brands because production mistakes can be expensive. Benefits include: Better Communication The factory receives clear instructions. Fewer Sample Corrections Detailed specifications can reduce avoidable mistakes. More Accurate Costing Factories can understand materials and construction before quoting. Consistent Production The same specifications can be followed across different batches. Easier Quality Control Finished garments can be checked against approved standards. Better Supplier Comparison Brands can send the same specifications to multiple manufacturers for comparable quotations. Common Tech Pack Mistakes 1. Missing Measurements Do not rely only on sketches. Include actual garment measurements. 2. Unclear Fabric Details Writing only “polyester” or “cotton” is not enough. Include relevant composition, GSM, structure, and finish. 3. No Artwork Dimensions Always specify print or embroidery size and placement. 4. No Tolerances Factories need to know acceptable measurement variation. 5. Poor Version Control Make sure everyone is working from the latest revision. 6. Confusing Body and Garment Measurements Clearly state what is being measured. 7. No Sample Comments Record every correction made during development. 8. Using Only Reference Images Reference photos are helpful, but exact technical instructions are still necessary. Do You Need Special Software to Make a Tech Pack? No. Tech packs can be created using: Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Excel Google Sheets Figma Tech pack software Product lifecycle management systems For a new brand, even a well-organized spreadsheet and technical drawing can work. The important thing is clarity and completeness. Simple Tech Pack Structure for Beginners A beginner tech pack can start with these sections: Cover Page Style Information Front and Back Sketch Fabric Specification Colour Information Bill of Materials Measurement Chart Point of Measurement Guide Construction Details Print or Embroidery Details Labels Packaging Sample Comments Revision History You can add more detail as the garment becomes more complex. Example Tech Pack for a Basic T-Shirt Imagine a brand developing a basic polyester sports T-shirt. Style Information Style: Performance TeeStyle No: PT-001Fit: RegularCategory: Unisex Sportswear Fabric 100% Polyester160 GSMInterlock KnitQuick-Dry Finish Colour Black Measurements M Size: Chest Width: 52 cmBody Length: 70 cmShoulder: 46 cmSleeve Length: 22 cm Construction 4-thread overlock side seamsCoverstitch sleeve hemRib neck Branding Left chest logo8 cm width Label Main label at back neckSize label below Packaging One piece per polybag This is a simplified example, but it demonstrates how technical information is organized. When Should a Tech Pack Be Created? The tech pack should ideally be prepared before sampling begins. A common workflow is: Design Idea → Tech Pack → Fabric Selection → Sample Development → Fit Review → Corrections → Final Approval → Bulk Production The tech pack is updated throughout this process. The final approved version becomes a production reference. Can a Manufacturer Create the Tech Pack? Yes. Some garment manufacturers can help create technical specifications based on: Reference garment Sketch Sample Design brief However, the brand should still review and approve the final measurements, materials, and construction. Do not assume the manufacturer automatically understands your intended fit. How Detailed Should a Tech Pack Be? The level of detail depends on garment complexity. A basic T-shirt may require fewer instructions. A technical jacket may require detailed information about: Multiple panels Lining Zippers Waterproof seams Hood construction Pockets Trims Performance testing A good rule is: If a manufacturer could misunderstand something, document it. Frequently Asked Questions What does tech pack mean in clothing? A tech pack is a technical document containing the information required to develop and manufacture a garment. Is a tech pack necessary for clothing production? It is not always legally required, but it is highly useful for professional garment development and manufacturing. What information is included in a tech pack? Typical information includes sketches, measurements, fabric, trims, colours, stitching, labels, artwork, packaging, and sample comments. What is BOM in a tech pack? BOM means Bill of Materials. It lists all fabrics, trims, labels, accessories, and other components required to make the garment. Who creates the tech pack? It may be created by a fashion designer, technical designer, product developer, merchandiser, manufacturer, or brand owner. Can beginners create a tech pack? Yes. Start with basic technical sketches, fabric details, measurement charts, construction notes, and branding information. Is a tech pack the same as a size chart? No. A size chart is only one part of garment sizing information. A tech pack contains much more information about the entire garment. Does the tech pack change during sampling? Yes. Measurements, trims, artwork, and construction may be updated based on sample reviews. Final Thoughts A garment tech pack is one of the most important communication tools between a clothing brand and a manufacturer. It turns a design idea into clear technical instructions. A good tech pack should explain: What the garment should look like What fabric should be used How the garment should be measured How it should be constructed Where branding should be placed Which labels and trims should be used How the product should be packed The more clearly these details are documented, the easier it becomes to develop accurate samples and maintain consistency during production. For new clothing brands, creating a tech pack may initially feel complicated. But even a simple, well-structured tech pack is far better than relying on verbal instructions alone. Clear specifications reduce confusion, improve production accuracy, and help brands build better garments.