A good tech pack is the quickest way to a good sample. It removes guesswork, shortens the conversation and keeps you in control of the product. This guide explains what a tech pack is, what to put in it and how to get started even if all you have is a sketch.
What is a tech pack?
A tech pack is the document that tells a manufacturer exactly how to make a product. The clearer it is, the fewer assumptions are needed and the fewer sample rounds are wasted. Think of it as the written version of the garment or bag you can see in your head, with enough detail that someone who has never met you could build it correctly.
What should a tech pack include?
- Flat drawings of the front, back and key details, with labelled parts
- A measurement chart with sizes and tolerances
- Fabric or leather specification, including weight and finish
- Construction notes: stitch types, seam finishes, reinforcement
- Hardware, zippers, buttons and trims, with placement
- Labels, branding and packaging instructions
- Colour and wash references
How detailed should the flat drawings be?
Flat drawings are line drawings of the product laid out flat, not fashion illustrations. Show the front and back, and add close-ups for anything unusual such as pocket shapes, yokes, gussets or closures. Label each part so there is no doubt about what you mean. Arrows and short notes beside the drawing are often clearer than long paragraphs. If a detail matters, draw it; if it is only mentioned in text, it is easier to miss.
What are tolerances and why do they matter?
A measurement chart lists the key dimensions for each size, such as waist, hip, inseam, chest, length or bag height. Tolerances state how much a finished piece may differ from the target. Without them, nobody knows whether a small difference is acceptable or a fault. Even a simple note on acceptable variation gives the sample and the later inspection something to be checked against. Measure a garment you already like and use those numbers as your starting point.
How do I describe fabric or leather?
Be specific. For denim, give the target weight and say whether it is rigid or stretch; our denim fabric weight guide and the note on rigid and stretch denim help you choose. For leather, name the type, colour and finish, and read full-grain and top-grain leather compared if you are unsure. A fabric swatch or a reference garment is worth more than a paragraph of adjectives.
How should I describe construction, hardware and trims?
Construction notes cover how things are sewn: stitch types, seam finishes, where reinforcement goes and how pockets are attached. Hardware and trims should be listed with size, finish and placement. A button described only as “metal” leaves too much open; size and finish remove the doubt. Mark where each item sits on the drawing so there is only one way to read it.
How do I show colour and wash?
Colour is hard to communicate by photo alone because screens and lighting differ. Provide a physical reference where you can, such as a garment, swatch or colour card, and describe the look in words. For denim, wash details matter a great deal; see our overview of denim washes and finishes to learn the vocabulary. Agree the final wash on the real fabric at the sample stage.
What if I only have a sketch?
You can still start. A sketch, a reference photo or a sample of a similar product is enough to begin a conversation. We then help confirm materials and construction before a sample is made. Projects can start from a sketch, a tech pack or a reference sample, and the custom development page explains how a concept becomes a first sample.
What are the most common gaps in a tech pack?
- Missing tolerances on measurements
- No fabric weight or stretch target
- Hardware not specified by size or finish
- Wash described only by a photo
Beyond these, watch for inconsistency: a measurement chart that does not match the drawing, or a note on one page that contradicts another. Read the whole document once as if you were the person making it, and mark anything you would have to guess.
How do I check my tech pack before sending it?
- Does every measurement have a unit and a tolerance?
- Is every material named with its weight, type or finish?
- Is every piece of hardware and every label located on the drawing?
- Are packaging and branding instructions included?
- Have you attached a reference for colour and wash?
How does the tech pack connect to the sample?
The tech pack is the reference the first sample is made against, and later it becomes the specification you check bulk production against. When the sample arrives, review it line by line using the sample approval checklist. If something differs from the tech pack, you can point to the exact line; if the tech pack was silent, you know what to add for the next round.
How do I send it?
PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC and DOCX files can be attached to the enquiry form. Tell us if you need an agreement in place before you share designs. For the full journey after the brief, read how a private label order works.
Ready to send your tech pack?
Send what you have, even if it is not perfect, and we will tell you what is missing. Request a quote to begin. It is free to request and there is no obligation.
Use our free tech pack template
To save time, fill in our free jeans tech pack template online, print it or save it as a PDF, and send it with your sketch. It covers style basics, fabric and wash, a measurement table, trims, labels and packaging.