Ask any experienced clothing manufacturer what is the single most common mistake new brands make, and the answer is almost always the same: they approach production without a tech pack, or with a tech pack that is missing critical information. A vague brief produces a vague garment. A precise tech pack produces exactly what you envisioned — at the right size, in the right fabric, with the right construction.
This guide explains what a tech pack is, every element it must contain, and how to create one — whether you are using a designer, a software tool, or working with your manufacturer’s team.
What Is a Tech Pack?
A tech pack (short for technical package) is a detailed specification document that communicates every aspect of a garment’s design to a clothing manufacturer. It is the blueprint that the factory uses to build your product — and it eliminates ambiguity by specifying, in measurable, visual terms, exactly what the finished garment should look and feel like. Every serious cut and sew manufacturing project begins with an approved tech pack. Without one, manufacturers work from assumptions — and assumptions produce surprises.
What Must a Tech Pack Include?
1. Technical flat sketches
Technical flat sketches are front and back technical drawings of the garment — drawn flat, not on a body — showing every detail of the construction: seams, stitching, pockets, plackets, hardware, and finishing details. These are not fashion illustrations; they are engineering drawings. They should be clean, accurate line drawings with callout labels pointing to every technical detail.
2. Bill of materials (BOM)
The BOM lists every material used in the garment: main fabric (with fibre content, weight, finish, and supplier reference), lining fabric, interfacing, thread colours, zippers, buttons, rivets, elastic, labels, and packaging materials. Every item should be specified with enough detail that the factory can source the correct material without guessing.
3. Colourways
List every colour option for the garment, specifying colours using Pantone reference codes rather than descriptive names (not ‘navy blue’ — but ‘Pantone 289 C’). For each colourway, confirm which components change colour (shell fabric, lining, stitching, hardware) and which remain consistent.
4. Size specifications and grading
Provide a complete measurement chart covering every key dimension of the garment — chest width, body length, sleeve length, shoulder width, hem width — for every size in the range (XS through 5XL if applicable). Measurements should be given as finished garment measurements, not body measurements. Grading rules (how each measurement changes between sizes) should be specified or agreed with the manufacturer’s pattern team.
5. Construction details
Specify every construction decision: seam type (flatlock, overlock, double-needle, chain stitch), seam allowance, hem type, pocket construction, collar/cuff/waistband attachment, and any reinforcement requirements. If specific stitching or finishing techniques are required, illustrate them with close-up detail drawings.
6. Label and packaging requirements
Specify the exact placement and content of every label: brand label, size label, care and content label, and country of origin label. For private label manufacturing, include your label artwork files. Packaging requirements — polybag size, tissue paper, hangtags, retail boxes — should also be documented here.
7. Print and embellishment details
If the garment includes printing or embroidery, provide full artwork files and placement specifications: exact position (e.g. ‘left chest, centred, 8cm from neck seam’), print method (screen printing, embroidery, sublimation), and colour specifications.
Do I Need a Tech Pack Before Approaching a Manufacturer?
Ideally yes — but not every brand arrives at a manufacturer with a complete tech pack. Sigma Apparel’s team can create a tech pack from your design sketches, reference images, and written brief as part of the manufacturing process. The tech pack is then reviewed and approved by you before sampling begins. If you are starting a clothing line for the first time and do not have design software experience, this is the most practical route.
Tech Pack Software and Tools
Common tools used to create tech packs include Adobe Illustrator (the industry standard for technical flat sketches), Canva (accessible but limited for technical detail), Techpacker (purpose-built SaaS platform for apparel tech packs), and NuORDER. For most new brands, working in Illustrator or Techpacker and having a manufacturer review the document before sampling is the most reliable approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a tech pack and a spec sheet?
A spec sheet is a simplified version of a tech pack — typically a single-page document covering basic measurements and fabric specifications. A full tech pack is more comprehensive, including flat sketches, BOM, construction details, colourways, label specs, and print placement. For cut and sew manufacturing, a full tech pack is always required.
How much does it cost to create a tech pack?
Freelance tech pack designers typically charge between $100–$500 per style depending on complexity. Sigma Apparel includes tech pack creation as part of the manufacturing process — we work from your brief and produce a production-ready tech pack for approval before sampling.
Can I use a tech pack from one manufacturer with a different manufacturer?
Yes. A tech pack is your intellectual property and can be used with any manufacturer. This is one reason why investing in a good tech pack is valuable — it makes switching manufacturers easier if needed and gives you full control over your product specifications.
What happens if I do not have a tech pack?
Without a tech pack, manufacturers work from assumptions and general descriptions — which almost always results in samples that do not match your vision. Multiple costly revision rounds follow. Sigma Apparel can build a tech pack from your brief, but the more detail you provide upfront, the closer your first sample will be to your target product.
Does Sigma Apparel create tech packs?
Yes. Sigma Apparel’s in-house design team creates detailed tech packs as part of the manufacturing process. You provide your design concept, reference images, and specification preferences — our team produces the tech pack document for your review and approval before sampling begins.
