How to Make a Tech Pack for Clothing
Learn how to make a tech pack for clothing — what to include, how to format it, and tools that make the process easier. A complete guide for fashion designers.
What goes in a clothing tech pack
A tech pack is the document that tells a manufacturer exactly how to produce your garment. It removes ambiguity and reduces costly sample revisions. Every tech pack should include these core components:
- Flat sketches: Front, back, and detail views with construction callouts
- Bill of materials (BOM): Every fabric, trim, hardware, and label with supplier info
- Measurement chart: Graded measurements across all sizes with tolerances
- Construction notes: Stitch types, seam finishes, seam allowances
- Color specifications: Pantone references or supplier color codes
- Label and packaging: Care labels, brand labels, hang tags, folding instructions
Start with flat sketches
Flat sketches are the visual backbone of your tech pack. They show the garment laid flat with accurate proportions and annotated construction details. Every seam, stitch, pocket, and closure should be visible and labeled.
Traditional flat sketches are drawn in Adobe Illustrator. AI tools like Skema3D can generate flat sketches automatically from a garment description, saving hours of illustration work.
Build your measurement chart
Your measurement chart lists every point of measure for the garment, graded across all sizes. Start from a base size and apply consistent grade rules to scale up and down.
Example t-shirt measurement chart (inches)
| Point of Measure | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest (1" below armhole) | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 |
| Body length (HPS) | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
| Sleeve length | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 |
| Shoulder width | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| Hem width | 37 | 39 | 41 | 43 | 45 |
Write your bill of materials
The BOM lists every material used in the garment. For each item, include the material description, supplier or reference, color, and quantity per garment. Be specific — do not just write 'cotton fabric'. Write '180 gsm cotton jersey, 100% combed cotton, supplier ref #4521'.
Add construction and finishing notes
Construction notes tell the manufacturer how to assemble the garment. Specify stitch types (lockstitch, coverstitch, overlock), stitches per inch, seam allowances, and any special finishing like bartacking or topstitching.
Include notes on labeling (woven main label placement, care label content, size label position), packaging (folding method, poly bag size, hang tag attachment), and any quality control requirements.