What Is a Tech Pack in Fashion and How to Make One?
Learn what an apparel tech pack is, including flat technical sketches, POM measurement specs, bill of materials (BOM), and colorways.
In apparel manufacturing, a Tech Pack (Technical Packet) serves as the architectural blueprint for a garment. Just as a building contractor cannot construct a house without detailed architectural blueprints, a garment factory cannot cut, stitch, and finish a clothing line accurately without a comprehensive tech pack.
Don't have a full technical drawing yet? Our clothing brand incubator and design support team can convert your sketches and moodboards into production-ready tech packs.
The Core Components of a Professional Tech Pack
A comprehensive tech pack contains four essential sections: 1) Technical Flat Sketches showing 2D front, back, and detail views with seam annotations; 2) Bill of Materials (BOM) detailing every fabric, ribbing, thread, zipper, and button; 3) Point of Measure (POM) Measurement Specification Sheet; and 4) Artwork & Branding Placement Maps.
By specifying exact stitches per inch (SPI), fabric weights in GSM, and color codes in Pantone (TCX/TPX), the tech pack eliminates guesswork between the designer and the factory floor.
Points of Measure (POM) and Sizing Tolerance
The measurement spec sheet lists critical dimensions for every size (XS to XXL). Crucial points include Chest Width (1 inch below armhole), High Point Shoulder (HPS) Length, Shoulder Slope, Sleeve Opening, and Neck Opening.
Each measurement includes an industrial manufacturing tolerance (+/- 0.5 inches). Garments falling within this tolerance pass quality control inspection.
Photo Reference: Precision textile tools used in factory sampling to verify fabric weight and tech pack compliance.
Why Tech Packs Protect Your Manufacturing Budget
Without a tech pack, factories must guess your intended fit and finishing details, frequently resulting in unusable samples and costly production delays.
A verified tech pack functions as a legally binding quality contract. If bulk production arrives outside the specified tolerances or uses incorrect thread stitching, the factory is accountable for rectification.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Tech Pack Section | Key Details Included | Factory Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Flat Sketch | 2D front & back vector drawings with callouts | Guides master pattern cutting & seam types |
| Bill of Materials (BOM) | Main fabric GSM, rib composition, threads, labels | Procurement list for exact raw material sourcing |
| Measurement Spec (POM) | Graded dimensions (Chest, HPS, Sleeve) with +/- tolerance | Quality control inspection standard |
| Artwork & Branding Spec | Pantone colors, print dimensions, placement inches | Screen printing, DTF, and embroidery alignment |
| Packaging & Labeling | Neck tag type, barcode hangtags, polybag specs | Finishing and retail packaging instructions |
How to Create Your First Tech Pack
Start by measuring a physical garment whose fit you love. Record flat measurements for chest, length, shoulder drop, and sleeve length as your sample base size (usually Medium).
Use Adobe Illustrator or specialized tech pack software to create clean 2D vector flat sketches, and work with your manufacturing partner during proto sampling to refine grading increments.
Already have tech packs ready? Hand them over directly to our OEM apparel manufacturing facility for immediate sampling and pattern drafting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straightforward answers to the 5 most common questions on this topic.
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