How to Build a Tech Pack for Your Clothing Line (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

Written By Sheldyn Nicholson

If you’re a designer or startup building your first clothing line, you’ve probably heard the term tech pack thrown around. And if you’ve ever Googled it, you know it can sound intimidating—pages of specs, charts, and terms you may not be familiar with yet.

But here’s the truth: A well-made tech pack is your production bible. It’s how you communicate your design vision clearly to factories and manufacturers, and it can save you a lot of time, money, and mistakes down the road.

So let’s break down exactly what goes into building a tech pack—step by step—and how you can create one that sets your product up for success.

What Is a Tech Pack (and Why Do You Need One)?

A tech pack (short for technical package) is a document that includes all the design and construction details of your garment. Think of it as a blueprint for your product: it tells your factory exactly how to make your design without guesswork.

Whether you're producing a single style or launching a full collection, a strong tech pack includes:

  • Flat sketches (front and back views)

  • Construction details

  • Material specifications

  • Measurements / size chart

  • Grading rules

  • Label and trim placement

  • Packaging instructions

The better your tech pack, the more accurate your samples will be—and the smoother your production process will go.

Step-by-Step: How to Build a Tech Pack

1. Start With a Clear Flat Sketch

Your flat sketch (or technical sketch) should be a black-and-white line drawing that shows the garment from all necessary angles. This isn’t about fashion illustration—it’s about clarity.

Include:

  • Front and back views

  • Any interior details (lining, seam finishes)

  • Stitching lines, zippers, pockets, etc.

Pro tip: Use Adobe Illustrator or similar vector-based software so the sketch is crisp and editable.

2. Write Out Construction Notes

This is where you describe how the garment is made—down to the seams. Be specific:

  • “1/4” twin needle topstitch on all hems”

  • “Self-fabric binding on neckline”

  • “Invisible zipper at center back”

The more detailed, the better. Don't assume the factory knows your preferences.

3. Specify Materials and Trims

This page is call the BOM or bill of materials. List all the fabrics, linings, and trims needed to build your garment. For each component, include:

For fabrics:

  • Fiber content

  • Weight (gsm)

  • Color (with Pantone number if possible)

  • Vendor or source (optional, but helpful)

  • Placement

For Trims:

  • Quantity (Ex: number of buttons)

  • Size (Ex: Length of a zipper)

  • Vendor or source (optional, but helpful)

  • Color

  • Placement

This ensures consistency in sampling and production.

4. Create a Measurement Chart

This is one of the most important parts of your tech pack. Your size chart should include:

  • Points of measure (e.g., waist, hip, inseam)

  • Sample size measurements (usually the middle size in your size range such as size M)

  • Tolerances (+/- range for manufacturing)

Clarity here saves you from ill-fitting samples and costly fit issues.

5. Add Grading Rules

Once you’ve nailed the sample size, you’ll need to define how the garment scales up and down to other sizes (XS-XL or more). Grading rules outline how much to add or subtract at each point of measure between sizes.

If you don’t know how to grade, this is something a technical designer can help with.

6. Include Label, Tag, and Packaging Details

Make sure you show exactly where to place:

  • Brand labels

  • Size tags

  • Care labels

  • Hangtags

  • Polybag or packaging notes

These small details are often overlooked—but they’re essential for a professional, retail-ready product.

Common Tech Pack Mistakes to Avoid

  • Being too vague: “Midweight jersey” or “short sleeve” won’t cut it. Be exact.

  • Forgetting trims or notions: Don’t forget buttons, snaps, drawcords, etc.

  • Not updating your tech pack as changes happen—it should evolve with your sample rounds.

  • Skipping measurements and hoping the factory will guess. They won’t.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

If building a tech pack sounds like a lot—it is. It’s a skill, and it takes time to learn. But you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

At Lilith Apparel, we specialize in helping emerging brands and small labels bring their ideas to life with production-ready tech packs, fit-focused development, and support from concept to final sample.

If you're ready to create your first tech pack, or need a second set of eyes on one you’ve already started, get in touch here. I’d love to help you build your line with confidence!

Sheldyn Nicholson
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How to Build a Clothing Line