What Is a Tech Pack in Fashion? Definition, Components, and Examples

Adstronaut Team · 2026-02-19 · 11 min read

A tech pack — short for technical package — is a comprehensive document that tells a clothing manufacturer exactly how to construct your garment. It typically contains 6–15 pages including technical flat sketches, a bill of materials (BOM), graded size measurements, construction specifications, colorway details, and packaging instructions. Every garment that goes into production requires a tech pack; without one, factories cannot provide accurate pricing, and sample rejection rates increase by 3–5x according to industry data from manufacturing consultancies.

This guide explains what a tech pack is, what it contains, who creates them, how much they cost, and how modern tools are changing the process.

Table of Contents

Tech Pack Definition

A tech pack (also called a technical package, spec pack, or garment specification sheet) is the standardized document that bridges the gap between a fashion designer's creative vision and a factory's production capabilities. It serves as a contract of intent — every detail the manufacturer needs to produce your garment accurately is documented in one place.

The concept originated in large-scale apparel manufacturing in the 1970s–80s, when brands needed to communicate specifications to overseas factories without being physically present. Today, according to the Fashion Industry Association, over 97% of clothing sold in the United States is manufactured abroad, making tech packs more critical than ever.

A tech pack answers three fundamental questions for the factory:

  1. What does it look like? (Flat sketches, design details, colorways)
  2. What is it made of? (Bill of materials — every fabric, thread, button, and label)
  3. How is it constructed? (Measurements, grading, seam types, stitch counts)

Without clear answers to all three, the factory will make assumptions — and assumptions in garment manufacturing cost $500–$50,000+ per error in wasted materials, rework, and delays.

What Does a Tech Pack Include? The 10 Essential Components

A factory-grade tech pack contains these 10 sections. Missing any one of them increases your risk of sample rejection.

1. Technical Flat Sketches

Two-dimensional line drawings showing the front and back of your garment. These are not fashion illustrations — they are precise technical drawings that show every seam, stitch, pocket placement, and construction detail. Most factories will not begin work without flat sketches.

2. Design Details and Callouts

Zoomed-in annotations of specific design elements: pocket shapes, collar construction, button spacing, decorative stitching, hardware placement. Each callout should include exact measurements from reference points (e.g., "pocket placed 4.5 inches from center front, 2 inches below waistband").

3. Bill of Materials (BOM)

A complete inventory of every component required to make the garment:

| Component | Example Specification | |:--- Fashion tech pack document spread on a desk showing technical flat sketches, measurement tables, and fabric swatches

Fashion tech pack document spread on a desk showing technical flat sketches, measurement tables, and fabric swatches
Shell fabric
Lining
Thread
Buttons
Zipper
Labels
Packaging

According to Maker's Row, an incomplete BOM is the #1 reason for factory quote delays — manufacturers cannot price a garment without knowing every component.

4. Colorways

All color variations of the design with exact Pantone references for every component. If your garment comes in 5 colors, each colorway needs its own specification showing which Pantone code applies to each element (shell, lining, thread, buttons, zipper tape).

5. Measurement Specifications (Spec Sheet)

A detailed chart showing the exact measurements for every point of measure (POM) in your sample size. Common POMs include chest width, body length, shoulder width, sleeve length, armhole depth, neck width, and hem width. According to ASTM International standards, measurement tolerances should be specified (typically +/- 0.25 to 0.5 inches for most POMs).

6. Size Grading

The mathematical rules for how measurements change between sizes. For example:

  • Chest width: +1.5 inches per size (S to M to L)
  • Body length: +1 inch per size
  • Sleeve length: +0.5 inches per size

Grading rules vary by garment type, target market, and fit profile. A brand targeting athletic builds will grade differently than one targeting relaxed fits.

7. Construction Details

Written instructions for how the garment should be assembled: seam types (French seam, flat-felled, overlock), stitch counts per inch (SPI), seam allowances, and finishing techniques. For example: "Side seams: 5-thread overlock, 12 SPI, 3/8 inch seam allowance."

8. Label and Print Placement

Exact positioning for all labels (main label, care label, size label, brand tags) and any printed or embroidered artwork. Include measurements from fixed reference points — for example, "Main label: center back, 1 inch below neck seam."

9. Artwork and Graphics Files

If your garment includes prints, embroidery, or graphic elements, the tech pack must include artwork files (typically Adobe Illustrator .ai or high-resolution .png), exact placement dimensions, and technique specifications (screen print, DTG, sublimation, embroidery with stitch count).

10. Packaging Instructions

How the finished garment should be folded, tagged, bagged, and packed for shipping. Packaging specs are often overlooked but can cause issues at customs or with retail partners who have specific requirements.

Tech Pack vs Spec Sheet: What Is the Difference?

This is one of the most common points of confusion in fashion production.

Document What It Contains When You Need It
Spec Sheet Measurements and size grading only Quick reference for fit adjustments
Tech Pack Complete document: sketches + BOM + spec sheet + construction + colorways + labels + packaging Required for production — factories need the full package

A spec sheet is one page within a tech pack. Sending a factory only a spec sheet is like sending a builder only the floor plan without the materials list or construction blueprints. They cannot build from it.

Who Creates Tech Packs?

Traditionally, tech packs are created by technical designers — specialists who translate creative designs into manufacturing specifications. They typically have expertise in both fashion design and garment construction.

Method Who Does It Cost Timeline Best For
In-house technical designer Full-time employee $55,000–$85,000/year salary Ongoing Large brands with 50+ styles/season
Freelance technical designer Independent contractor $150–$2,000 per style 3–14 business days Mid-size brands, complex garments
AI-powered tools Software (e.g., Adstronaut AI, Techpacker) $3–$50 per style Minutes to hours Indie brands, speed-critical projects
DIY with templates Designer themselves Free–$50 for templates 2–8 hours per style Very early-stage brands with technical knowledge

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 23,800 fashion designer jobs in the U.S. — but far fewer specialized technical designers, creating a supply bottleneck that drives freelance rates higher for complex garments.

Fashion designer reviewing tech pack specifications with a garment manufacturer in a modern studio Fashion designer reviewing tech pack specifications with a garment manufacturer in a modern studio

How Much Does a Tech Pack Cost?

Tech pack costs vary dramatically depending on method and complexity:

Garment Complexity Freelancer Cost AI Tool Cost DIY Time Cost (@$50/hr)
Basic (t-shirt, tank top) $100–$300 $3–$10 $100–$200 (2–4 hrs)
Moderate (hoodie, dress, pants) $250–$800 $3–$15 $200–$400 (4–8 hrs)
Complex (tailored blazer, outerwear, swimwear) $500–$2,000+ $5–$25 $400–$800 (8–16 hrs)

For a 12-piece seasonal collection with mixed complexity, total tech pack costs typically range from $2,400–$12,000 using freelancers, or $36–$180 using AI tools. This 50–100x cost difference is why AI-powered tech pack generation has seen rapid adoption among independent fashion brands since 2024.

Do You Need a Tech Pack?

Yes, if you are manufacturing custom garments (Cut & Sew). No reputable factory will begin production without a tech pack. Even if a factory says they can work from a photo or sample alone, the lack of documented specifications dramatically increases error rates and removes your legal protection if the produced garment doesn't match your intent.

You may not need a full tech pack if:

  • You are buying blank garments (Gildan, Bella+Canvas, etc.) and only adding prints — you need a print placement sheet instead
  • You are ordering from a manufacturer's existing catalog with no modifications
  • You are creating one-of-a-kind custom pieces (haute couture) where the designer is present during construction

For everything else — from small-batch D2C brands to large-scale production — a tech pack is non-negotiable.

How to Create a Tech Pack: 3 Methods Compared

Method 1: Adobe Illustrator + Excel (Traditional)

Create flat sketches in Illustrator, measurements in Excel, and compile into a PDF. This is the industry standard at large brands but requires significant technical skill.

  • Pros: Full creative control, industry-standard format
  • Cons: Steep learning curve, 4–8 hours per style, requires Illustrator proficiency

Method 2: Specialized Tech Pack Software

Platforms like Techpacker, Adstronaut AI, or Techpack.co provide structured templates and workflows specifically designed for tech pack creation.

  • Pros: Faster than manual methods, structured format reduces errors, some offer AI-assisted generation
  • Cons: Monthly subscription costs, learning curve varies by platform

Method 3: AI-Powered Generation

Upload a garment photo and AI generates the flat sketch, suggests BOM components, creates measurement charts, and exports a factory-ready PDF. Adstronaut AI pioneered this approach for fashion.

  • Pros: Minutes instead of hours, no design software needed, consistent output
  • Cons: May require manual refinement for complex garments, newer technology

Common Tech Pack Mistakes

These errors cost fashion brands thousands of dollars every year:

  1. Vague measurements — Writing "chest width" without specifying where to measure (armpit to armpit? 1 inch below armhole?). Always define your point of measure (POM) precisely.

  2. Missing grade rules — Providing measurements for only one size and expecting the factory to figure out the rest. Grade rules must be explicitly documented.

  3. Incomplete BOM — Forgetting to specify thread color, interfacing type, or zipper brand. Every missing component is an opportunity for the factory to substitute something cheaper.

  4. No tolerance specifications — Not including acceptable measurement tolerances (+/- values). Without them, you have no basis to reject an out-of-spec garment.

  5. Outdated versions — Sending an old version after making design changes. Always include a version number and date on every tech pack.

According to Common Objective's research on fashion supply chains, incomplete tech packs are responsible for an estimated 40% of first-sample rejections, each costing $500–$2,000+ in rework and delays.

Flat lay of tech pack components including fabric swatches, Pantone color chips, measurement ruler, and technical flat sketch Flat lay of tech pack components including fabric swatches, Pantone color chips, measurement ruler, and technical flat sketch

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tech pack in simple terms?

A tech pack is the instruction manual for manufacturing your garment. It tells the factory exactly what the garment looks like, what it is made of, how it should be measured across all sizes, and how it should be constructed. Without a tech pack, the factory has to guess — and guessing leads to errors that cost hundreds to thousands of dollars to fix.

How many pages is a typical tech pack?

A standard tech pack ranges from 6–15 pages depending on garment complexity. A basic t-shirt tech pack is typically 6–8 pages. A tailored blazer or jacket with multiple components might require 12–15+ pages. The key is completeness — every page should contain information the factory needs.

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

A spec sheet contains only the garment's measurements and size grading — it is one component of a tech pack. A tech pack is the complete document that also includes flat sketches, a bill of materials, construction details, colorways, label placement, and packaging instructions. Factories need the full tech pack, not just a spec sheet.

Can I create a tech pack without Adobe Illustrator?

Yes. While Illustrator has been the industry standard for decades, modern alternatives include AI-powered tools (Adstronaut AI, which generates flat sketches from photos), template-based platforms (Techpacker), and free vector editors (Inkscape). The key requirement is clean, accurate flat sketches — the tool used to create them matters less than the quality of the output.

How long does it take to create a tech pack?

Time varies significantly by method: 4–8 hours manually in Illustrator/Excel, 1–3 hours using template-based software, or 5–15 minutes using AI-powered tools. Complex garments (outerwear, tailored pieces) always take longer regardless of method due to the number of components and construction details involved.

Do I need a separate tech pack for each colorway?

No. One tech pack covers all colorways of a single style. The colorway page within the tech pack shows each color variation with its specific Pantone references. However, if the colorways have different materials (e.g., a leather version and a canvas version of the same jacket), those may require separate tech packs due to different BOMs and construction methods.

What file format should I send my tech pack in?

PDF is the universal standard — it preserves formatting and is viewable on any device. Some factories in Asia prefer Excel-based formats for easier data extraction. Always ask your factory's preference before sending. If using AI tools like Adstronaut, export directly to PDF.

What happens if my factory says they don't need a tech pack?

Be cautious. While some factories working with very simple garments may produce from a sample alone, the lack of documented specifications removes your quality control framework. Without a tech pack, you have no contractual basis to reject a garment that doesn't match your intent. Most manufacturing consultants strongly advise against skipping this step.


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