What Is a Tech Pack? What to Include + Examples (2026 Guide)
Share
By The Clothing Game, founded in the UK · Last updated: 28 October 2026
A tech pack is the instruction manual a factory uses to make your garment. It's a short document (usually 5–15 pages) that lists every spec a manufacturer needs: flat sketches, measurements, fabric and GSM, colours, print placement, labels, trims and packaging. A clear tech pack is the single biggest factor in getting a correct sample first time instead of paying for three or four rounds.
What is a tech pack in clothing manufacturing?
A tech pack (short for technical package) turns a design idea into measurable instructions. Pietra describes it as "a detailed document that contains every specification needed to manufacture a garment." The factory prices, samples and bulk-produces from it, so anything missing gets guessed, and guesses cost money.
What should a tech pack include?
A complete tech pack for a t-shirt or hoodie covers these 9 sections:
- Cover page: brand name, style name/code, season, sample size, date and version number.
- Flat sketches: front and back technical drawings (not lifestyle mock-ups) showing exact shape, seams and neckline.
- Measurement / size spec: points of measure (chest, body length, sleeve length, shoulder, hem, neck rib) for your sample size, plus grading for other sizes and a tolerance (±0.5 in / ±1 cm is a common standard, per Maker's Row).
- Fabric: composition (e.g. 100% cotton jersey), weight in GSM, and any finish such as garment-dyed, enzyme-washed or acid-washed.
- Colourways: Pantone TCX/TPX references for every colour. "Navy" alone is not a spec.
- Artwork and print spec: print method (screen, DTG, puff, embroidery), print size in cm, and placement measured from a fixed point like the HPS (high point shoulder) or centre front.
- Labels and branding: woven neck label, care label, hang tags, with size, material and exact placement.
- Trims and construction: rib width, stitch type (e.g. coverstitch hems), drawcords, eyelets, zips.
- Packaging: polybag, folding method, barcode/sticker requirements.
Why does a tech pack matter? (with real examples)
Without a tech pack, factories fill gaps with their own defaults. Maker's Row documents what that costs new brands:
- A Los Angeles swimwear brand spent $2,400 on three sample rounds because it had no graded spec sheet. Sample four was finally production-ready.
- A Brooklyn hoodie brand gave no Pantone reference, the navy didn't match, and it had to reorder.
- A Chicago streetwear brand's woven labels landed 1.5 inches too low across a first run of 300 units.
Every one of those mistakes has the same fix: put the number in the tech pack. If it isn't written down and measurable, assume the factory will decide for you.
Tech pack template vs freelancer vs software: cost comparison
| Option | Typical cost | Best for | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editable tech pack template | £0–£30 one-off | New brands making tees, hoodies and basics | You fill it in yourself |
| Freelance technical designer | $50–$250 per tech pack (Maker's Row) | Complex cut-and-sew, outerwear | Cost repeats for every style |
| Tech pack software (e.g. Techpacker) | Monthly subscription | Brands running many styles per season | Ongoing cost, learning curve |
| Factory's own form | Free | Simple blanks with print only | Locked to that factory; often incomplete |
For a first drop of tees and hoodies, a template is usually enough. Our Ultimate Tech Pack Template (£25) is 7 slides covering sample size, front and back mock-ups, fabric, GSM, print size and type, woven labels, trims and washes, in AI, SVG and PDF, and it includes a free t-shirt and hoodie mock-up.
How to make a tech pack in 6 steps
- Pick a base fit. Get a garment you like and measure it flat. That becomes your size spec.
- Draw flats. Use a flat sketch template rather than drawing from scratch. Our T-Shirt Mock-Up Pack has 48 bodies and 25 necklines.
- Specify fabric. Composition, GSM and finish. (See our t-shirt GSM guide.)
- Add artwork with measurements. Print width in cm and distance from HPS.
- List labels, trims and packaging.
- Version it. Every round of sample comments becomes v2, v3, so nothing gets lost.
FAQ
How many pages should a tech pack be?
For a t-shirt or hoodie, 5–10 pages is normal. Pietra notes a t-shirt tech pack might include 15–20 measurements, while a complex jacket could need 40+.
Do I need a tech pack for blank tees with a print?
Yes, at least a print spec: blank style, colour, print method, print size and placement. Without it, placement and sizing vary between runs.
Can I make a tech pack in Canva?
Yes. Any template exported as PDF works. Factories just need clear, measurable information. Our template works in Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, Canva, Photopea, Affinity and more.
Who owns the tech pack?
You do. That's the point: a tech pack you control lets you take your product to any factory instead of being tied to one.
Next step: found your spec? Now find a factory. Read how to find a clothing manufacturer on Alibaba, or skip the search with The Ultimate Supplier List (114 vetted manufacturers).
Sources: Maker's Row, "Tech Pack Clothing" (2026); Pietra, "What is a tech pack".