How to Create Clothing Tech Packs: What Factories Actually Need to See
A clothing tech pack is a detailed document that outlines exactly how a garment manufacturer should produce your design. It includes technical sketches, a bill of materials, measurements, construction details, colorways, and labeling specifications. If you are getting clothing manufactured, a complete tech pack is the single most important document you will send to any factory.
What a clothing tech pack typically includes:
Technical flat sketches (front, back, and detail views)
Bill of materials (fabrics, trims, threads, labels)
Measurements and size grading
Construction and stitching details
Colorways and artwork placement
Labeling, packaging, and finishing specs
I have worked with garment factories across Vietnam, China, and other manufacturing countries for over a decade through Cosmo Sourcing. The quality of a buyer's tech pack is one of the strongest predictors of how smoothly their project will go. A thorough tech pack saves time, reduces sampling rounds, and prevents costly miscommunication.
This guide walks through what goes into a clothing tech pack and how to build one that factories can actually work from.
Updated February 22, 2026
What Is a Clothing Tech Pack?
A tech pack (short for technical package) is the blueprint a manufacturer follows to produce your garment. It translates your design concept into precise, measurable specifications that a pattern maker, sample room, and production line can execute without guesswork.
The terms "tech pack," "specification sheet," "spec sheet," and "BOM" (bill of materials) are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not identical. A tech pack is the complete package of documentation for a garment. The BOM is one component that lists all materials. A spec sheet typically refers to the measurements page.
How a Tech Pack Differs from a Product Specification Sheet
A clothing tech pack is garment-specific. It covers construction methods, stitch types, seam allowances, and grading across sizes. A product specification sheet is a broader document used across all product categories, from electronics to furniture, that covers general dimensions, materials, and packaging. If you are manufacturing clothing, you need a tech pack. If you are manufacturing a non-apparel product, a product specification sheet is typically sufficient.
Why Your Factory Needs a Tech Pack
From the factory's perspective, a tech pack is the basis of every decision they make about your order. Without one, they are guessing, and guessing costs you money.
Here is what actually happens when buyers approach factories without a proper tech pack. The factory cannot provide an accurate quote because it does not know which materials or construction methods are required. They estimate high to cover unknowns, which means you overpay. The sample comes back wrong because the pattern maker filled in the gaps with their own assumptions. You go through three or four sample rounds instead of one or two. Each round costs time and money, and delays your timeline by weeks.
I have seen this play out hundreds of times. A buyer sends a photo and a few sentences describing what they want. The factory does its best, the sample arrives, and the buyer is frustrated because it does not match their vision. The problem is not the factory. The problem is that no one gave the factory enough information to work with.
Most reputable garment manufacturers will not even begin sampling without a tech pack. It is not optional. It is the minimum standard for professional garment production. The tech pack also serves as your reference document throughout production. If there is a dispute about quality, dimensions, or materials, you go back to the tech pack. It functions as an agreement between you and the manufacturer about exactly what will be produced.
What Goes Into a Clothing Tech Pack
Technical Sketches and Flat Drawings
Every tech pack starts with flat technical sketches showing the garment from the front, back, and any relevant detail views. These are not fashion illustrations. They are clean, proportional line drawings that show every seam, stitch line, pocket placement, closure, and construction detail.
Flat sketches are typically created in Adobe Illustrator, though hand-drawn versions work if they are clear and proportional. The goal is precision, not artistry. Include close-up callout drawings for any complex details, such as pocket construction, collar shapes, or button placements, that would not be visible on the main sketch.
Bill of Materials (BOM)
The BOM lists every physical component needed to produce the garment, inside and out. This includes shell fabric, lining, interlining, thread, zippers, buttons, snaps, elastic, labels (brand label, care label, size label), hang tags, and packaging materials.
For each item, specify the material composition, weight (in GSM for fabrics), color, supplier or reference if known, and placement on the garment. The more specific you are here, the more accurate your quote will be. If you write "cotton fabric" without specifying weight, weave type, or composition, the factory will choose for you, and their choice may not match what you had in mind.
Measurements and Grading
The measurement spec sheet defines the exact dimensions for every point of measure (POM) on the garment. Common POMs include chest width, body length, shoulder width, sleeve length, waist, hip, neck opening, armhole, and cuff width. More complex garments require more measurement points.
Start by defining your base size (the size your sample will be produced in). Then provide a graded spec showing measurements for every size in your range. Grading determines how measurements scale up and down from the base size. If you do not provide grading, the factory will apply its own standard grade rules, which may not match your fit intent.
Always use metric measurements (centimeters) when working with overseas factories. Include tolerances (e.g., ±0.5 cm) so the factory knows your acceptable range.
Construction Details
This section specifies how the garment is assembled. It includes stitch types (lockstitch, overlock, coverstitch, flatlock), seam types (French seam, flat-felled, bound), seam allowances, and any special construction techniques.
If your garment has specific finishing requirements, such as topstitching at a certain distance from the edge, bartacking at stress points, or reinforced seams in high-wear areas, document them here. Do not assume the factory will know your preferences. Every factory has default methods, and those defaults vary.
Colorways and Artwork
If your garment comes in multiple colors, include a colorway page showing each version with Pantone references for every component. Pantone TPX or TCX codes are the standard for textiles. Do not rely on screen colors or verbal descriptions such as "navy blue," as they are interpreted differently across factories and countries.
For any printed or embroidered artwork, include exact placement measurements, file format specifications, and technique details (screen print, DTG, sublimation, embroidery with stitch count and thread colors).
Labels, Packaging, and Finishing
Specify every label that will appear on the garment: brand labels, care labels, size labels, country-of-origin labels, and any compliance labels required by your target market. Include placement, dimensions, and attachment method for each.
For packaging, define how the garment should be folded, tagged, bagged (poly bag dimensions and thickness), and packed into master cartons. If your product is going to an Amazon fulfillment center or a retail store, packaging requirements may be very specific, and the factory needs to know this upfront.
How to Create a Clothing Tech Pack Step by Step
Start with Your Technical Sketches
Begin with your flat drawings. These set the foundation for everything else in the tech pack. If you are not a technical designer, hire one. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr feature freelance fashion designers specializing in technical flats. Budget roughly $50-$300 per design, depending on complexity.
Define Your Materials and Trims
Research and specify every material before you send anything to a factory. If you have reference swatches or supplier information, include them. If you only know the general type of fabric you want, describe it as precisely as possible (for example, "100% cotton jersey, 180 GSM, single knit") and note that you are open to the factory's recommendation.
Build Your Measurement Spec Sheet
Create a measurement chart using a spreadsheet. List every point of measure in rows and every size in columns. Include your base size sample measurements and graded measurements for the full size range. Add a POM diagram showing where each measurement is taken on the garment to eliminate ambiguity.
Add Construction and Finishing Notes
Write clear notes on stitch types, seam construction, and finishing. Reference specific areas of the garment (for example, "side seams: 4-thread overlock, 1 cm seam allowance" or "hem: 2.5 cm single fold coverstitch").
Include Labeling and Packaging Requirements
Add label artwork, placement diagrams, and packaging instructions. If your target market has regulatory requirements, note them here. Care label content, fiber content labeling, and country of origin marking requirements vary by market, so check the regulations for the market where you are selling.
Review and Finalize
Before sending your tech pack to any factory, review every page. Check that measurements add up, material descriptions are consistent, and nothing is vague or contradictory. A production manual can complement your tech pack by documenting the step-by-step production process and quality checkpoints.
Tools for Creating Tech Packs
Most tech packs are built using Adobe Illustrator for sketches and Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for measurement specs and BOMs. This combination works well and is universally understood by factories.
Dedicated tech pack platforms like Techpacker, Onbrand PLM, and CLO 3D offer more integrated workflows, version control, and collaboration features. These are worth considering if you are managing multiple styles or working with multiple factories simultaneously, but they are not required. A well-organized Illustrator file paired with a thorough spreadsheet will get the job done.
Whichever tool you use, export your tech pack as a PDF for sharing with factories. This ensures formatting stays consistent regardless of what software the factory uses.
Common Tech Pack Mistakes That Cost You Money
After working with thousands of clients at Cosmo Sourcing and reviewing their documentation before sending it to garment factories, these are the mistakes I see most often.
Vague Material Specifications
Writing "soft cotton" instead of "100% combed cotton jersey, 180 GSM, 40s yarn count" leaves too much room for interpretation. The factory will source whatever is cheapest and available, and you may not like the result.
Missing Size Grading
Providing measurements for one size and expecting the factory to grade the rest is risky. Factories use their own grading standards, which vary by region and by factory. If fit matters to your brand, control the grading yourself.
No Tolerances Specified
Without stated tolerances, there is no objective standard for what is acceptable. A 1 cm difference on a chest measurement might be fine on an oversized tee, but unacceptable on a tailored blazer. Define your tolerances for every critical measurement.
Incomplete BOMs
Forgetting to specify thread color, zipper type, or care label content can delay production. The factory stops, asks a question, waits for your response across time zones, and your timeline slips.
Relying on Photos Instead of Flat Sketches
Photos are useful references, but they are not substitutes for technical drawings. A photo does not show seam allowances, construction methods, or internal details. Always pair reference photos with proper flat sketches.
Build a Factory-Ready Tech Pack with the Cosmo Sourcing Kit
If you want to create your own tech pack and manage the sourcing process yourself, the Cosmo Sourcing Kit gives you the tools to do it right. It includes templates for tech packs and product specification sheets, step-by-step courses on creating factory-ready documentation, RFQ scripts, supplier evaluation spreadsheets, manufacturing contracts, and inspection checklists.
The Sourcing Kit was built from over a decade of hands-on sourcing experience at Cosmo Sourcing, working with garment factories across Vietnam, China, Mexico, and beyond. Everything in it is designed to help you communicate clearly with manufacturers, avoid costly mistakes, and get your product made exactly as you intended.
Whether you are creating your first tech pack or tightening up your process, the Sourcing Kit gives you the same frameworks we use with our sourcing clients.
Sign up: cosmosourcing.com/sourcing-kit
Questions: info@cosmosourcing.com
