What Is a Tech Pack? Definition, Contents, and Checklist for Clothing Brands

A tech pack is the document a clothing manufacturer uses to make your garment. It holds your flat sketches, measurements, fabric and trim details, construction notes, colors, and labels in one place, so the pattern maker and sewer build exactly what you designed. Think of it as the blueprint for one style.

In this guide

• What is a tech pack?
• What goes in a tech pack?
• Tech pack vs sketch vs spec sheet
• Who makes a tech pack?
• How much does a tech pack cost?
• Tech pack checklist
• Common mistakes
• What to do next
• FAQ

What is a tech pack in clothing manufacturing?

A tech pack, short for technical package, is a set of instructions for one garment. Each person in the chain uses it differently. The pattern maker drafts the pattern from it. The sewer builds the sample from it. The factory prices the job from it, then checks bulk production against the approved sample.

Without one, everyone has to guess. Guessing costs time, and you pay for that time in extra sample rounds. We cover the cost of getting it wrong in what happens when your tech pack is wrong.

What goes in a tech pack?

Most tech packs follow the same structure. Here is what each section covers and why a manufacturer needs it.

Section	What it shows	Why the manufacturer needs it
Cover page	Style name and number, season, size range, base size, and contact details	Keeps every file and revision tied to the right style
Flat sketches	Front, back, and side technical drawings, plus close ups of details	Shows shape, seams, pockets, and closures without guessing
Bill of materials (BOM)	Fabric, lining, thread, zippers, buttons, elastic, and labels, and where each one goes	Lets the factory source and cost every part
Measurements	Measurements at each point of measure, for each size, with tolerances	Used to draft the pattern and check the sample
Construction details	Stitch types, seam finishes, topstitching, and stitches per inch	Controls quality and how the garment is sewn
Colorways and artwork	Color references (such as Pantone), prints, embroidery, and placement	Keeps color and branding consistent
Labels and packaging	Neck label, care label, hang tag, folding, and polybag	Avoids surprises at the end of production
Grading rules	How measurements change from one size to the next	Lets the pattern maker build the full size run
Revision log	What changed, when, and fit notes from each sample	Stops old versions from being used by mistake

A simple tee might run to two or three pages. A lined jacket with many trims can run much longer. Length is not the goal. Clarity is.

Tech pack vs design sketch vs spec sheet

These three get mixed up a lot. Only one of them is enough to start sampling.

Document	What it is	Enough to get a sample made?
Design sketch or mood board	Shows the look and feel of the idea	No. A factory cannot price or build from it.
Spec sheet	Measurements and tolerances only	No. It has no materials or construction notes.
Tech pack	Sketches, materials, measurements, construction, colours, and labels	Yes. This is what factories quote and sample from.

A spec sheet is usually just one part of a tech pack.

Who makes a tech pack?

There are three common routes.

• You, using a template. This is the cheapest option and works well for simple styles.
• A freelance technical designer. Useful if you already have a clear design and need it documented.
• A development studio. Best when you want the pattern, sample, and tech pack to stay aligned. See how apparel design development works.

Whatever route you pick, check every detail yourself. Tools can fill a page fast, but a factory will build exactly what is written. Read why you should not send an AI-generated tech pack to the supply chain before you try it.

How much does a tech pack cost?

It depends on the garment and who builds it. WearLab's Tech Pack Development starts at $200. A simple tee takes far less time than a lined jacket, so the final price depends on complexity.

The better comparison is what a mistake costs. In Canada, a revised second sample runs about $400 to $700 per style. A tech pack that prevents one extra round has paid for itself. Our clothing sample cost guide shows the full breakdown.

Tech pack checklist

Run through this list before you send anything to a factory or studio.

• Style name, number, season, and base size
• Front, back, and side flat sketches
• Close up sketches of pockets, cuffs, collars, and closures
• Fabric name, fibre content, weight, and supplier or reference
• Every trim: zippers, buttons, snaps, elastic, drawcords, and thread
• Colour references for every colourway
• Measurements for each point of measure in the base size
• Size range and grading rules
• Tolerances for key measurements
• Stitch types, seam finishes, and stitches per inch
• Print, embroidery, or logo files with exact placement
• Neck label, care label, and hang tag details
• Packing and folding instructions
• Version number and revision date

Common tech pack mistakes

• No tolerances. Without an allowed range, nobody knows if a sample passes.
• Vague fabric notes. "Soft cotton" is not a spec. Give fibre content, weight, and a reference swatch.
• Sketches that disagree with measurements. The pattern maker will follow one and the sample will be wrong.
• Missing trims. Zippers, labels, and thread change both cost and construction.
• Too much detail in the wrong places. A clear tech pack beats a crowded one. See why overwhelming tech packs backfire.
• Old versions in circulation. Number every version and send only the latest.

What to do next

1. Describe the garment in words. Write down fabric, silhouette, closures, and any detail you care about. Add reference photos.
2. Build the tech pack. Use the checklist above or a template.
3. Get two or three quotes. Send the same tech pack to each so the quotes compare. Read what you need before contacting a clothing manufacturer first.
4. Sample, mark up, and update. Put every fit change back into the tech pack and bump the version number.

If you are still working out minimums, our guide to MOQ in clothing manufacturing is a good next read.

Frequently asked questions

What is a tech pack in simple terms?

A tech pack is the instruction manual for one garment. It combines sketches, measurements, materials, and construction notes so a pattern maker and factory can build your design without guessing. Brands send it with a quote request, and the factory uses it to price, sample, and check production.

Is a tech pack the same as a design sketch?

No. A sketch shows what the garment looks like. A tech pack shows how to make it. It adds measurements, fabric and trim details, stitching, colours, and labels. A factory can quote and sample from a tech pack, but it cannot do that reliably from a sketch alone.

Do I need a tech pack before I get a sample made?

Yes. It is the best way to avoid extra sample rounds. Without one, the pattern maker has to interpret your idea, and that time is billed. If you work with a development studio, they can help you build or finish the tech pack, so ask what your quote includes.

How long does it take to make a tech pack?

A simple style like a tee can take a few hours if you have made one before. A lined jacket with many trims can take days. First timers should plan for longer, mostly to gather fabric, trim, and measurement details. Rushing this step usually costs more time later.

Can I make a tech pack myself?

Yes. Many founders start with a template and a clear flat sketch. The risk is gaps in measurements or materials. Have a pattern maker or development studio review it before you sample. Avoid sending an AI-generated tech pack straight to a factory without checking every detail.