You've got a great design. You've found a factory. You send them a photo of your sketch and a few inspiration images. And then... nothing. Or worse, they make a sample that looks nothing like what you imagined.
The missing piece? A tech pack.
It's the single most important document in apparel manufacturing — and the one most first-time founders skip. Here's why you shouldn't.
What Is a Tech Pack?
A tech pack (short for technical package) is a comprehensive document that translates your design idea into precise manufacturing instructions. Think of it as an architectural blueprint for a garment.
Without it, your factory is guessing. With it, they can quote accurately, sample correctly, and produce consistently.
What's Inside a Professional Tech Pack
1. Technical Flats (Line Drawings)
Clean, black-and-white line drawings showing:
- Front view (full garment)
- Back view (full garment)
- Detail views (close-ups of collar, pocket, hem, closure, etc.)
These are not fashion illustrations — they're technical drawings, usually done in CAD software (Illustrator, CLO 3D, or similar).
2. Measurement Specification (POM Table)
A detailed table listing every critical measurement point:
- Chest, waist, hip, shoulder width, sleeve length, sleeve opening
- Neck width, front neck drop, back neck drop
- Garment length (center front and center back)
- Hem circumference, sweep
- Any style-specific points (e.g., pocket placement, ruffle width)
Measurements are given per size (XS–XL or custom grade), with tolerance (±0.5 cm is standard).
3. Fabric Specification
- Fiber composition (e.g., 100% cotton, 65% polyester / 35% viscose)
- Weight (GSM — grams per square meter)
- Width (usable width in cm/inches)
- Hand-feel direction (soft, crisp, drapey, structured)
- Color — Pantone TCX/TPX codes, not "navy blue" or "light green"
- Special finishes (pre-shrunk, enzyme wash, water-repellent, etc.)
4. Trim Specification
- Thread (color, type, weight)
- Zippers (type, length, color, brand if specified)
- Buttons (size, material, color, placement)
- Elastic (width, type, tension)
- Labels (main label, care label, size label — position on garment)
- Hangtags, polybag specs
5. Construction Details
- Seam types (flat-felled, overlocked, French seam, etc.)
- Stitch type (single needle, double needle, coverstitch)
- Topstitching (color, distance from seam)
- Hem finish (single fold, double fold, blind hem)
- Lining (if applicable — fabric, attachment method)
- Any special operations (pleating, smocking, appliqué, etc.)
6. Packaging Instructions
- How each garment is folded
- Polybag type and size
- Hangtag placement
- Sticker / tissue paper / box if applicable
- Carton packing (pieces per carton, carton size, gross weight)
7. Grading Rules
How measurements change from size to size. Usually expressed as:
- Chest: +4 cm per size
- Length: +2 cm per size
- Sleeve: +1.5 cm per size
Or, if you have a base size pattern, the grader applies these rules to generate all other sizes.
Why Factories Can't Start Without One
1. Accurate Quoting
Without a tech pack, a factory can only give you a ballpark range. With a tech pack, they can calculate exact fabric consumption, trim quantities, and labor time — and give you a precise quote.
2. Correct Sampling
"A dress with a flared skirt" means different things to different people. A tech pack with measurements, fabric spec, and construction notes means the same thing to everyone in the room.
3. Consistent Bulk Production
Tech packs are the reference standard during production. QC checks measurements against the spec table. If a batch is off, the tech pack is the arbiter.
4. Fewer Revisions = Lower Cost
Every revision round costs money and time. A complete tech pack reduces revision rounds from 4–5 to 2–3, sometimes even 1–2.
What If I Don't Have a Tech Pack?
You have three options:
Option 1: Hire a Freelance Tech Pack Designer
Cost: $80–$300 per style depending on complexity. Turnaround: 3–7 days. Search on Upwork, Fiverr, or LinkedIn for "freelance tech pack designer."
Option 2: Use Our Tech Pack Development Service
At Sesiy, we offer tech pack creation as part of our Design & Development service. Send us your sketch, reference images, and fabric direction — we'll produce a factory-ready tech pack, usually within 5–7 days.
Option 3: Start with a Development Meeting
If you have a clear idea but no technical skills, some factories (including ours) can work from detailed reference images + a development call. We'll create the tech pack as part of the sampling process. This takes longer and costs more in sampling rounds, but it's a valid path for founders who can't produce a tech pack themselves.
The Bottom Line
A tech pack is not optional. It's the difference between "I'll try to make what you're picturing" and "I will make exactly what you specified." For the cost of one extra sampling round, you can have a professional tech pack that prevents three.
Ready to get started? Send us your design — sketch, reference photos, or even a verbal description — and we'll tell you what you need to move forward.
