How to Create an Apparel Tech Pack: Step-by-Step Guide & Spec Checklist

Step 1 — Draw the flats

Start with a technical flat: a clean, proportional front and back line drawing of the garment (not a fashion illustration). It anchors every other section. If you have a reference garment you want to base yours on, photograph it front and back and annotate the changes.

Step 2 — Add measurements (points of measure)

List the points of measure — chest width, body length, sleeve length, hem, neck opening, and so on — with a value for each size you plan to make. This size chart is what the factory grades your run against, so be specific. If you are unsure of measurements, provide a base size and let the manufacturer help build the grade.

Step 3 — Specify materials (the bill of materials)

• Fabric: fibre content, GSM/weight, and any wash or finish
• Trims: labels, drawcords, zippers, buttons, elastic, ribbing
• Thread and any interfacing or lining
• Quantities/placement where relevant

Step 4 — Define colorways and Pantone references

For each colorway, give the exact color with a Pantone (TCX) reference rather than a screen color, which shifts between monitors. Note which parts of the garment and trims each color applies to. Precise color callouts are what make your strike-offs and bulk match your intent.

Step 5 — Detail construction and branding

• Construction: stitch types, seam finishes, hems, ribbing, topstitching
• Branding: neck label, care label, hang tags — with placement and size
• Decoration: print or embroidery artwork, method, dimensions, and position
• Packaging: folding, polybag, barcoding, and carton requirements

A tech pack translates into reality through a physical pre-production sample — explore our fast 7–10 day apparel sample making service.

Tools you can use

You do not need expensive software to start. Many founders build a first tech pack in a spreadsheet plus a labeled image, or in free/low-cost design tools. Dedicated tech-pack apps exist, but a clear document in any format beats a fancy one with gaps. What matters is that every field above is answered unambiguously.

Do not have a tech pack? Start anyway

If building one yourself feels out of reach, that is fine — send a sketch, a reference garment, or a clear description with your target price and quantity, and our development team builds the tech pack with you, recommending fabrics for your budget and engineering the fit before anything goes to production.