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What Are Tech Packs? The Complete Guide for Clothing Brands in 2026
Learn how to create professional tech packs that communicate your design vision to manufacturers — with templates, examples, and expert tips for getting your garments made right the first time.
📋 What's Inside
What Is a Tech Pack?
A tech pack (short for technical package) is a detailed document that serves as the blueprint for manufacturing a garment. It communicates every specification your clothing manufacturer needs to produce your design accurately — from measurements and fabric details to construction methods, colorways, and labeling placement.
Think of a tech pack as the "instruction manual" for your clothing item. Just as an architect creates blueprints before a building is constructed, a fashion designer (or brand owner) creates a tech pack before a garment is manufactured.
A comprehensive tech pack typically includes:
- Flat sketches (front, back, and detail views)
- A bill of materials (BOM) listing every fabric, trim, and component
- Detailed measurements with graded spec sheets
- Construction notes (stitch types, seam allowances, assembly sequence)
- Colorway specifications (Pantone references)
- Label and packaging instructions
Why Tech Packs Are Essential
Skipping the tech pack is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes new clothing brands make. Here's why they matter:
1. Eliminates Miscommunication
When you send a manufacturer a mood board or a sketch on a napkin, they're left guessing about dozens of critical details. What stitch type for the side seams? What's the seam allowance? Where exactly does the label go? A tech pack answers every question upfront, leaving no room for interpretation.
2. Reduces Sample Iterations
Without a tech pack, brands typically go through 4–6 sample rounds before getting the garment right. With a detailed tech pack, most brands need only 1–2 sample revisions. Each revision costs $50–200 and adds 2–3 weeks to your timeline — so the savings add up quickly.
3. Enables Accurate Costing
Manufacturers need to know exactly what they're building before they can give you an accurate price. A tech pack with complete BOM (bill of materials) allows them to calculate material costs, labor time, and overhead — resulting in reliable quotes rather than rough estimates that inflate later.
4. Protects Your Design IP
A tech pack serves as formal documentation of your design. If disputes arise about design ownership or manufacturing specs, the tech pack provides a dated, detailed record of your original specifications.
5. Scales Your Production
When you're ready to scale from one manufacturer to multiple factories, or switch manufacturers entirely, a comprehensive tech pack ensures consistent quality regardless of who's producing the garment.
Key Components of a Tech Pack
A professional tech pack contains 8–12 pages covering every aspect of the garment. Here's what each section includes:
Cover Page
The cover page includes: brand name and logo, style name/number, season (e.g., Fall 2026), date, designer name, and revision number. This helps both you and the manufacturer track which version of the tech pack is current.
Flat Sketches (Technical Drawings)
Detailed line drawings of the garment from the front, back, and any relevant detail views (inside construction, pocket closeups, closure details). These should be clean vector illustrations — not fashion illustrations or photos. Include callouts pointing to specific construction details: topstitch width, pocket placement, button spacing, etc.
Bill of Materials (BOM)
The BOM is a complete inventory of every material used in the garment:
- Main fabric: Composition, weight, color (Pantone ref), supplier, minimum order
- Lining: Type, composition, color
- Trims: Buttons, zippers (brand, size, color), elastic, drawcord
- Labels: Main label, care label, size label, hangtag
- Thread: Color, type (poly or cotton), brand
- Interlining/Fusing: Weight, placement areas
Measurements & Spec Sheet
The spec sheet (or size chart) is arguably the most critical page. It provides point-of-measure (POM) measurements for every size in your size run. Common measurements include: chest width, body length, shoulder width, sleeve length, hem width, armhole depth, neck opening, and more — each measured to the nearest 1/8 inch or 0.5 cm.
Construction Details
This section specifies how the garment is assembled:
- Stitch types (e.g., single-needle lockstitch, chainstitch, flatlock)
- Seam types (flat-felled, French seam, overlocked)
- Seam allowances (typically 3/8" to 5/8")
- Topstitch distances and needle counts
- Assembly sequence (order of operations)
Colorways
Each color variation of the garment gets its own colorway page showing the filled-in flat sketch with Pantone color references for every component: main body, contrast panels, stitching, zipper tape, buttons, and labels.
Print/Embroidery Artwork
If the garment includes any decoration, this section specifies: artwork files (vector format), placement coordinates (measured from reference points), print method (screen print, sublimation, DTG, embroidery), thread colors for embroidery (Madeira or Isacord references), and stitch count.
Labeling & Packaging
Specifications for all labels (main brand label, care/content label, size label) including placement, attachment method, and artwork. Also includes packaging instructions: folding method, poly bag type, hangtag attachment, and carton packing details.
How to Create a Tech Pack (Step by Step)
Follow this 6-step process to create your first tech pack:
Step 1: Finalize Your Design
Before starting the tech pack, your design should be fully resolved — not a rough concept. You should know the silhouette, key details, fabric type, and general construction approach. Reference existing garments (a "reference sample") whenever possible.
Step 2: Create Technical Flat Sketches
Draw or commission detailed flat sketches using Adobe Illustrator. These should be proportionally accurate, showing all seams, stitching, pockets, closures, and construction details. Use CAD layers to separate the garment outline from construction callouts.
Step 3: Research and Specify Materials
Identify every material your garment needs. Contact fabric suppliers for swatches and specifications. Record the exact composition, weight, width, color (with Pantone reference), and supplier details in your BOM.
Step 4: Develop Your Spec Sheet
Measure a reference garment (or draft measurements from scratch based on standard size charts) and create a spec sheet. Start with a base size (e.g., Medium), then grade up and down for the full size run. Include a tolerance (acceptable deviation, typically +/- 0.5 cm) for each measurement.
Step 5: Document Construction Details
Specify every construction detail: stitch types, seam allowances, finishing methods, and assembly sequence. If you're unsure about technical terms, send your reference sample to your manufacturer and ask them to document the construction for you — most manufacturers offer this service.
Step 6: Review and Send to Manufacturer
Before sending, review the tech pack against a physical reference sample (if available). Have someone else check the measurements and construction notes for errors. Send as a PDF file with all artwork files (AI/EPS) included separately.
Best Tools for Creating Tech Packs
| Tool | Best For | Price | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Illustrator | Professional flat sketches & full tech packs | $22/month | Advanced |
| Techpacker | Cloud-based tech pack creation with templates | $49/month | Beginner-Intermediate |
| Google Sheets/Excel | Spec sheets and BOM tables | Free | Beginner |
| Canva | Basic tech packs with visual layouts | Free–$13/month | Beginner |
| CLO 3D | 3D virtual garment prototyping | $50/month | Advanced |
| Browzwear | Enterprise 3D design and tech pack generation | Custom pricing | Advanced |
Common Tech Pack Mistakes to Avoid
1. Missing or Vague Measurements
The #1 tech pack mistake: incomplete measurements. Every dimension matters. If you don't specify the cuff width, the manufacturer will guess — and their guess may not match your vision. Include every point of measure with tolerances.
2. No Reference Sample
Words and drawings can only communicate so much. Whenever possible, send a physical reference sample alongside your tech pack. This gives the manufacturer a tangible example of the fit, fabric hand, and construction quality you expect.
3. Using Fashion Illustrations Instead of Flat Sketches
Fashion illustrations (stylized drawings on a human figure) look beautiful in portfolios but are useless for manufacturing. Manufacturers need flat technical sketches — proportionally accurate drawings of the garment laid flat, with callouts for construction details.
4. Forgetting Grading Rules
If your base size spec sheet is perfect but you don't specify how measurements change between sizes (the "grade rule"), your XS and XL may not fit properly. Define clear grade rules: e.g., +1 inch chest width per size, +0.5 inch body length per size.
5. Not Specifying Thread Color
It seems minor, but thread color significantly impacts the finished garment's appearance. A light-colored garment with dark thread creates a visible contrast stitch effect. Specify: self-color thread (matching the fabric) or contrast thread (with specific color reference).
How Much Does a Tech Pack Cost?
If you hire a freelance designer or agency to create your tech pack, expect the following pricing:
| Service Level | Price Range | What's Included | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (Freelancer) | $75–200 | Flat sketches + basic spec sheet + BOM | 3–5 days |
| Standard (Agency) | $200–500 | Full tech pack (8–12 pages) with grading | 5–10 days |
| Premium (Specialized) | $500–1,500 | Full tech pack + 3D prototype + pattern drafting | 10–15 days |
| Manufacturer-Included | $100–200* | Full tech pack as part of sampling service | 7–14 days |
*At Mangors, tech pack development is included in our sampling fee. You provide a reference sample or detailed description, and our team creates the full technical package — including pattern making, grading, and material sourcing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Help Creating Your Tech Pack?
Mangors offers professional tech pack development as part of our sampling service ($100–200 per design). Send us your sketches or reference samples, and our team will create a production-ready tech pack.
