What Should Be Included in a Clothing Tech Pack?
An itemized checklist of the essential pages, technical specs, callouts, and measurement tables required to build a factory-ready apparel tech pack.
General industry knowledge • Reviewed by Fenalt editorial team
A production-ready tech pack must be complete, mathematically consistent, and unambiguous. Omitting specs forces factories to guess.
In garment manufacturing, incomplete tech packs are the leading cause of initial sampling failures, miscalculated fabric consumption, and delayed production starts. Including all essential pages ensures your supplier has the technical parameters needed to draft patterns, calculate pricing, and sew samples accurately.
Tech Pack Checklist
6 Core Components of a Complete Tech Pack
1. Cover Page & General Information
- Style Name & Unique Style Number
- Brand Name, Season, and Release Category
- Target Gender & Garment Classification
- Creation Date & Current Revision Version Number
- High-level silhouette description and base sample size
2. Flat Technical Vector Sketches (Front, Back & Detail Views)
- Black-and-white 2D vector CAD drawings
- Strict 1:1 proportion representation
- Detailed callouts for seam placement, topstitching widths, and hem finishes
- Interior lining, pocket bags, and hood construction details if complex
3. Bill of Materials (BOM)
- Primary fabric specification (Fiber composition, GSM, Weave/Knit)
- Secondary/Lining fabric specs
- Thread type and color match
- Buttons, zippers, eyelets, cords, drawstrings
- Woven brand labels and care labels
4. Colorway Specification Sheet
- Pantone (PMS TCX or C) codes for all primary and accent fabrics
- Matching thread and trim color specs
- Color placement callouts for multi-panel color-blocked garments
5. Point of Measure (POM) Spec Sheet
- Master list of POM codes and measurement descriptions
- Flat target dimensions for base sample size
- Acceptable industrial tolerance limits for each point of measure (±1.0cm to ±1.5cm)
- Graded size spec table (XS through 3XL)
6. Graphic, Artwork & Packaging Specs
- Print and embroidery vector files with placement coordinates
- Care label legal copy, fiber content, and wash symbols
- Polybag spec, hangtag placement, and export carton fold instructions
Best Practices
Tech Pack Preparation Guidelines
Eliminate Ambiguous Terminology
Avoid subjective terms like 'heavyweight' or 'normal fit'. Always provide exact metrics: 450 GSM, 2cm topstitch, 58cm chest width.
Cross-Check Vector Proportions Against POMs
Ensure visual CAD vector drawings logically reflect the numerical measurements stated in the POM spec sheet.
Specify All Stitch Types Explicitly
Indicate whether seams require lockstitch, 4-thread overlock, coverstitch, or flatlock construction to prevent factory substitution.
Lock Pantone References Before Submission
Never submit color names ('navy') without official Pantone PMS codes or physical lab dip swatch references.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important page in a tech pack?
The Point of Measure (POM) spec sheet and the Bill of Materials (BOM) are the two most critical components. The POM table controls physical sizing and CAD pattern grading, while the BOM controls material procurement and FOB unit cost.
Can I use photographs instead of flat 2D vector sketches?
Photographs of reference garments are helpful as supplementary material, but they cannot replace 2D flat vector sketches. Technical vector drawings depict seam lines, stitch types, and construction callouts clearly without visual clutter.
Should I include size grading in my initial tech pack?
Yes. While initial prototype sampling focuses on the base sample size (usually Medium), providing full graded size specs in your initial tech pack allows manufacturers to verify marker yield and confirm bulk pricing.
How detailed should the Bill of Materials (BOM) be?
Your BOM should account for every single physical component of the garment - including shell fabric, lining, ribbing, interlining, sewing thread, main label, care tag, size tag, hangtag, polybag, and zippers.
What software is best for creating apparel tech packs?
Industry professionals typically build vector sketches in Adobe Illustrator and assemble tech pack pages using specialized tech pack software (like Techpacker or Backbone) or structured Excel/Google Sheets templates.
What happens if I need to update my tech pack during sampling?
Always update the revision number and date on the cover page whenever specs change, and issue the updated PDF to your manufacturing partner immediately to ensure everyone references the latest version.
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Fenalt assists brands with technical design, POM table drafting, and BOM preparation to ensure seamless manufacturing execution.
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