Tech Pack Examples - 10 Real Factory-Grade Tech Packs Analyzed

Adstronaut Team · 2025-12-11 · 11 min read

A factory-grade tech pack requires 5 core sections regardless of garment type: product info, measurement sketches with ASTM-standard points of measure, a graded size table (typically following ASTM D5585 for womenswear or ASTM D6240 for menswear), a Bill of Materials listing every fabric and trim, and a construction guide specifying seam types and stitch counts. According to Maker's Row, 50% of production errors trace back to incomplete or poorly structured tech packs. Below, we analyze 10 real garment categories — from t-shirts to bags — showing exactly what a finished tech pack looks like for each and how Adstronaut AI's 12-tab structure covers every detail manufacturers require.

For a deeper understanding of tech pack fundamentals, start with our complete guide to fashion tech packs.

Table of Contents

The Universal 12-Tab Structure

Before diving into specific garments, it is vital to understand the framework. A messy Excel sheet won't cut it. Adstronaut AI automatically generates a comprehensive 12-tab project file for every garment you upload, ensuring no section is missed.

Tech pack 12-tab structure exploded view Adstronaut AI organizes every tech pack into 12 essential tabs automatically.

Factories expect these core sections:

  1. Product Info: Season, Style #, Description.
  2. Measurements & Sketches: Interactive sketches with precise Points of Measure (POM).
  3. Size Table: Automated grading rules (S, M, L, XL).
  4. BOM (Bill of Materials): Every fabric, button, and thread.
  5. Construction Guide: Sewing instructions and finishings.

Let's see how this structure applies to real-world examples.

Upload a photo and get this structure automatically →

1. The T-Shirt: Mastering the Basics

The t-shirt is the foundational garment of the fashion industry — Statista estimates global t-shirt revenue at over $44 billion annually. While it seems simple, the difference between a luxury tee and a cheap giveaway is entirely in the Grading (sizing per ASTM D6240 for menswear or D5585 for womenswear) and Material specs.

The Challenge: Getting the neck drop and sleeve length consistent across sizes.

The Tech Pack Solution: For a T-shirt, the Size Table tab is your most critical section. Adstronaut AI generates the base measurements from your image. You then use the table to define the "Grade Rule"—for example, instructing the factory that the chest width increases by 2 inches for every size jump.

For a complete deep-dive into t-shirt specifications, see our dedicated T-shirt tech pack guide.

T-shirt size table example The Size Table tab showing graded measurements across all sizes.

2. The Hoodie: Managing Hardware & Layers

Hoodies are "high-liability" garments because they involve mixed materials (fleece body vs. ribbing) and hardware (eyelets, drawstrings).

The Challenge: Ensuring the factory doesn't forget the eyelets or use the wrong color drawstring.

The Tech Pack Solution: This is where the BOM (Bill of Materials) tab shines. The AI detects visible components from your photo. The tech pack provides a structured table where you list the main fleece, the ribbing for the cuffs, the metal eyelets, and the drawstring tip type. The Garment Callouts tab allows you to point exactly where these items go on the sketch.

For detailed hoodie specifications including oversized fits, check our hoodie tech pack guide.

Hoodie garment callouts example Garment Callouts tab showing numbered labels pointing to hood, pocket, and cuffs.

3. Denim Jeans: Construction & Wash

Denim is less about the pattern and more about the assembly and finish. It is a heavy-duty construction process.

The Challenge: Communicating topstitching placement and rivet locations.

The Tech Pack Solution: Jeans rely heavily on the Detailed Drawings and Construction Guide tabs. A factory needs to know exactly where to place bar tacks (reinforcement stitches) on pockets. The Adstronaut structure includes zoomed-in views, allowing you to highlight rivet placement on the coin pocket and specify the topstitch color (usually contrasting gold or orange).

Denim tech pack topstitching detail Close-up showing rivet placement and topstitching specifications.

4. Activewear Leggings: Stretch & Seams

In activewear, the sewing method is just as important as the fabric. Using the wrong stitch results in seams that burst during a workout.

The Challenge: Specifying specialized stitching for 4-way stretch fabrics.

The Tech Pack Solution: The Construction Guide tab is essential here. While a standard tech pack might just say "sew side seam," an activewear pack must specify "Flatlock Stitching" (ISO 607) to prevent chafing. The Adstronaut AI layout provides a dedicated text area for these sewing instructions, ensuring the factory uses the correct machinery.

5. The Summer Dress: Silhouette & Lining

Dresses often have complex inner constructions that aren't visible from the outside, such as linings or facings.

The Challenge: Ensuring the lining doesn't hang lower than the main fabric.

The Tech Pack Solution: The Detailed Drawings tab allows you to separate the "Shell" (outer layer) from the "Lining" (inner layer). You can use the AI-generated flat sketch to annotate hem heights, ensuring the lining is cut shorter than the self-fabric. This prevents the dreaded "exposed lining" mistake in production.

For zipper placement, dart positioning, and more, see our comprehensive dress tech pack guide.

Dress detailed drawings tab Detailed Drawings tab showing zoomed-in hem and neckline construction.

6. The Tailored Blazer: Internal Structure

Tailoring is about what you can't see: shoulder pads, interfacing, and button stays.

The Challenge: Listing all the invisible ingredients that give the jacket its shape.

The Tech Pack Solution: The BOM tab for a blazer is extensive. Adstronaut AI's structure allows you to add rows for non-visual items. You use this section to list "Fusible Interfacing" (the glue-like fabric that stiffens collars) and "Shoulder Pads." Without these line items in your BOM, the factory will produce a floppy, unstructured shirt instead of a jacket.

7. Streetwear Cargo Pants: Utility Details

Streetwear is defined by complexity: bellows pockets, zippers, velcro, and straps.

The Challenge: Communicating the functionality of 3D pockets on a 2D piece of paper.

The Tech Pack Solution: Use the Garment Callouts tab to map out the utility. You can drag measurement lines to specify the depth of the pocket pleats and the placement of velcro closures. The Colorways tab is also vital here, as streetwear often drops in multiple color variants; the AI helps you visualize these variants instantly.

Streetwear cargo pants tech pack Cargo pants with holographic UI elements displaying pocket dimensions.

8. Knitwear Cardigans: Yarn & Gauge

Knitwear is unique because you aren't cutting fabric; you are creating it from yarn.

The Challenge: Communicating the density of the knit (Gauge).

The Tech Pack Solution: In the Product Info tab, you define the "Gauge" (e.g., 12GG for fine knit, 5GG for chunky). Unlike cut-and-sew, where you list fabric, in the BOM tab you list "Yarn." The structure of the Adstronaut tech pack adapts to this, allowing you to input yarn composition (e.g., Merino Wool/Acrylic blend) instead of fabric rolls.

9. Swimwear: Precision & Elasticity

Swimwear has zero margin for error. A quarter-inch difference in a bikini bottom changes the fit from "perfect" to "unwearable."

The Challenge: Extremely precise measurements and specific elastic types.

The Tech Pack Solution: The Sample Measurements tab allows for high-precision inputs. You can click and drag measurement lines on the AI-generated sketch to define the "Leg Opening" and "Crotch Width" down to the millimeter. In the BOM, you would specify "Rubber Elastic" (which resists chlorine) rather than standard elastic.

Swimwear sample measurements precision Interactive sketch editor with precise measurement lines on swimwear.

10. Bags & Accessories: Reinforcement

Bags don't have sizing grading, but they have complex reinforcement needs to hold weight.

The Challenge: Showing where the handles are attached and reinforced.

The Tech Pack Solution: The Artwork & Annotation tabs are key. For a tote bag, you use the sketch to draw an "X-Box stitch" diagram at the handle attachment points. This visual instruction tells the factory to reinforce that specific area so the handles don't rip off under heavy loads.

Tote bag tech pack deconstructed view A deconstructed view showing all pattern pieces and reinforcement points.

Automate Your Tech Pack Structure

No matter what you are designing, the structure of your tech pack dictates the quality of your sample. Manufacturers don't want beautiful illustrations; they want organized data.

Adstronaut AI provides the industry-standard 12-tab framework automatically. It generates the sketches, sets up the tables, and organizes the BOM, saving you the 4-8 hours it typically takes to set up this document structure from scratch. McKinsey's 2025 State of Fashion report highlights that reducing pre-production timelines is one of the highest-impact levers for emerging brands competing with fast-fashion speed.

You provide the creative vision; we provide the factory-ready format. Learn exactly how to create a tech pack step-by-step, or understand the hidden costs you're avoiding by using AI automation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a tech pack look like for a t-shirt?

A t-shirt tech pack includes front and back flat sketches, a graded size table with measurements for chest, body length, sleeve length, and neck drop (typically following ASTM D5585 or D6240), a BOM listing the shell fabric, ribbing, thread, and labels, and a construction guide specifying seam type (usually overlock or coverstitch). Adstronaut AI generates all of these from a single product photo.

How many pages should a tech pack be?

A professional tech pack ranges from 8-15 pages depending on garment complexity. A basic t-shirt may need 8-10 pages, while a tailored blazer or knitwear piece may require 12-15 pages to cover interfacing, lining, and internal construction details. Adstronaut AI's 12-tab structure organizes all of this automatically.

What is a Bill of Materials (BOM) in a tech pack?

A BOM is a comprehensive list of every component needed to manufacture a garment — from shell fabric and lining to buttons, zippers, elastic, labels, and thread. According to Common Objective's manufacturing guide, an incomplete BOM is one of the top reasons for production delays and cost overruns.

What measurement standards should a tech pack follow?

Most US-market tech packs follow ASTM International standards: D5585 for adult female misses figure types, D6240 for adult male, and D6458 for plus sizes. These define standard body measurement points. Adstronaut AI uses these standards to generate points of measure (POMs) on flat sketches.

Can I use the same tech pack template for different garment types?

The overall structure (product info, sketches, size table, BOM, construction guide) is universal, but the specific content differs significantly by garment type. A hoodie tech pack needs eyelet and drawstring specs that a dress does not. Adstronaut AI adapts its 12-tab template to the detected garment category automatically.

What is the difference between a tech pack and a spec sheet?

A spec sheet is one component of a tech pack — specifically the measurement/size table. A complete tech pack also includes flat sketches, BOM, construction details, colorways, artwork placement, and garment callouts. Factories require the full tech pack, not just the spec sheet.

How much does it cost to have a tech pack made?

Freelance tech pack designers on Maker's Row charge $50-$500 per style. Design agencies charge $100-$2,000. Adstronaut AI generates a complete tech pack for approximately $5 per style. For a 20-piece collection, that is $100 with AI versus $1,000-$40,000 with traditional methods.

What is a grade rule in a tech pack size table?

A grade rule defines how measurements change between sizes. For example, a chest width might increase by 2 inches from size S to M. ASTM D5585 provides standard grade increments for womenswear. The grade rule ensures proportional scaling across all sizes and is a critical component of the size table tab.


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