How to Make a Tech Pack for Clothing: Step by Step

To make a tech pack, draw flat sketches of the garment, then add a bill of materials, measurements with tolerances, construction details, colourways, labels, and grading rules. Put it all in one versioned document and send the same file to every manufacturer you want a quote from. A simple style takes hours. A complex one takes days.

In this guide

• Before you start
• Step 1: Gather your references and write a brief
• Step 2: Draw the flat sketches
• Step 3: Build the bill of materials
• Step 4: Add measurements and tolerances
• Step 5: Write the construction details
• Step 6: Add colourways, artwork, and labels
• Step 7: Set the size range and grading rules
• Step 8: Review, version, and send
• Common mistakes
• Tools and templates
• FAQ

New to the term? Read What Is a Tech Pack? first. This guide shows you how to build one.

Before you start

Have these ready so you do not stop halfway:

• A clear idea of the garment: who it is for, the fit, and the fabric you have in mind
• Reference photos or a sample you like, even if it is from another brand
• A target quantity and a target price per unit
• A tool for drawing (a vector program or pen and paper) and a spreadsheet

If you are unsure about quantity or budget, our guides to MOQ and development costs help you set realistic targets.

Step 1: Gather your references and write a brief

Write a short brief for the garment. Cover the fit (slim, relaxed, oversized), the fabric feel, the key details, and where the garment will be sold. Add photos of garments you like and mark what you like about each one, such as the pocket shape or the hem.

This brief keeps your decisions consistent. It also gives a pattern maker context the sketch cannot show.

Step 2: Draw the flat sketches

A flat sketch is a clean, front and back technical drawing of the garment, laid flat and drawn without a body. Add a side view if the garment has side details, then add close ups of anything small, such as pockets, cuffs, and closures.

• Draw in proportion. Wonky proportions mislead the pattern maker.
• Show every seam line and topstitch line.
• Label each detail with an arrow and a short note.
• Use a vector tool so lines stay sharp when you zoom.

Step 3: Build the bill of materials

The bill of materials (BOM) lists every part of the garment that is not thread you can see, plus the thread. For each item, give a specific description and where it goes. Vague entries like "soft cotton" lead to wrong samples.

Here is an example for a pullover hoodie:

Component	Spec	Where it goes
Main fabric	Cotton polyester fleece, 80/20, about 400 GSM, brushed back	Body, hood, sleeves
Rib	Cotton spandex 1x1 rib, colour matched to main fabric	Cuffs and hem
Drawcord	Flat cotton cord, 8 mm wide, 140 cm long, with matching tips	Hood
Eyelets	Metal eyelets, 8 mm, antique nickel finish	Hood, 2 pieces
Thread	Polyester, colour matched to fabric	All seams
Woven neck label	Brand name and logo, 5 cm wide	Centre back neck
Care label	Printed satin with fibre content and care symbols	Left side seam

Example values. Replace them with your own fabric and trim specs.

Not sure what to specify for fabric? Our guide on textile manufacturers vs cut-and-sew manufacturers explains how fabric and sewing are sourced.

Step 4: Add measurements and tolerances

Pick a base size, usually a medium, and give measurements at each point of measure (POM). Describe how each one is measured so everyone measures the same way. Then add a tolerance, which is the allowed difference between your target and the finished sample.

Point of measure	How to measure	Spec (size M)	Tolerance
Chest width	Flat, 2.5 cm below the armhole	58 cm	+/- 1 cm
Body length	High point shoulder to hem	70 cm	+/- 1 cm
Sleeve length	Armhole seam to cuff end	62 cm	+/- 1 cm
Hem width, relaxed	Across the hem rib	46 cm	+/- 1 cm
Cuff opening, relaxed	Across the cuff rib	10 cm	+/- 0.5 cm
Hood height	Neck seam to top of hood	36 cm	+/- 1 cm

Example values for a relaxed fit hoodie. They are not a size standard.

Always state the unit. Pick centimetres or inches and use it everywhere.

Step 5: Write the construction details

This is how the garment is sewn. List the stitch type for each seam, how pockets and closures are attached, and any special finishing. A pattern maker and sewer should not have to guess.

Area	Detail
Side and sleeve seams	4-thread overlock
Hood centre seam	Overlock, topstitched 0.6 cm from the seam
Kangaroo pocket	Topstitched on three sides, bar tack at each opening
Cuffs and hem	Rib attached with overlock, seam pressed toward the body
Eyelet placement	30 mm from the centre front, 25 mm below the hood edge
Stitch density	State stitches per inch (SPI) for each seam type, agreed with your pattern maker

Example construction notes. Confirm stitch types with your pattern maker.

Step 6: Add colourways, artwork, and labels

List each colourway with a colour reference, such as a Pantone TCX code or an approved lab dip. If you have prints, embroidery, or logos, give the file name, size, and exact placement measured from a fixed point like the high point shoulder.

Then cover labels and packaging:

• Neck label: content, size, and placement
• Care label: fibre content, care symbols, and placement
• Hang tag: design and how it attaches
• Folding and packing: how many per polybag and carton

Check current labelling rules for the market you sell in before you finalize labels.

Step 7: Set the size range and grading rules

State your size range, such as XS to XL, and your base size. Grading rules say how each measurement changes from one size to the next. For example, the chest might grow by 4 cm per size. A pattern maker uses these rules to build the full size run.

If you have never graded a pattern, flag it in the tech pack and ask your studio to set the rules with you.

Step 8: Review, version, and send

Before you send the file, check it against the checklist in What Is a Tech Pack?. Then:

1. Put a version number and date on every page, for example StyleName_v1_2026-10-27.
2. Read it as if you were the sewer. Is anything unclear or missing?
3. Export a PDF so layout does not break, and keep the editable file.
4. Send the same version to every manufacturer you contact. Read what you need before contacting a clothing manufacturer first.
5. Log every change after each sample and raise the version number.

Common mistakes when making a tech pack

• Skipping tolerances. Without them, nobody can say if a sample passes.
• Mixing units. Centimetres in one table and inches in another causes wrong samples.
• Copying a competitor's garment without specs. A photo is not a measurement.
• Overloading the file. See why overwhelming tech packs backfire.
• Pasting in unchecked AI output. Read why you should not send an AI-generated tech pack to the supply chain.
• Sending old versions. Number every version. See what happens when a tech pack is wrong.

Tools and templates

You do not need special software. Many founders use a vector drawing tool for sketches and a spreadsheet for the bill of materials and measurements. Dedicated tech pack software and templates can speed things up once you know what each section needs.

If you would rather have help, WearLab's Tech Pack Development starts at $99. We can also take you from tech pack to sample through Design Development. Wondering how that process works? Read about apparel design development.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a tech pack for clothing?

Draw flat sketches, list every material in a bill of materials, add measurements with tolerances, write the construction details, set colourways and labels, then add grading rules for your size range. Review it against a checklist, number the version, and send the same file to each manufacturer.

What software do I need to make a tech pack?

You can start with a vector drawing tool such as Adobe Illustrator for sketches and a spreadsheet for measurements and materials. Dedicated tech pack software exists, but it is not required. What matters is that the file is clear, consistent, and easy for a factory to read.

How many pages should a tech pack be?

There is no fixed length. A simple tee may take two or three pages. A lined jacket with many trims can take ten or more. Include everything a factory needs to build the garment and nothing that distracts from it. Clarity matters more than page count.

Do I need a separate tech pack for each size or colour?

No. Make one tech pack per style. Give measurements for a base size and add grading rules for the rest of the size range. Colourways go inside the same document. You only need a new tech pack when the design itself changes in a meaningful way.

Can I make a tech pack with no design experience?

Yes, if you are willing to be precise. Start with a template, copy the structure from the checklist in this guide, and ask a pattern maker or development studio to review it before you sample. Gaps in measurements and materials are the most common problems for first timers.