Guide 07
Garment tech pack: what goes in one and why it matters
A garment tech pack is the technical document that tells a factory exactly how to make your garment, from measurements and materials to construction, labels and packaging.
Cydney Mar, who publishes Concept to Shelf, calls a clear, professional tech pack the difference between a sample that is right the first time and months of expensive back-and-forth. She has designed garments for more than 45 years, from her own couture collections to Edwin Jeans in North America.
Published by Cydney Mar. Last updated November 2026.
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What is a tech pack for a garment?
Definition
Garment tech pack
On Concept to Shelf, a garment tech pack is the complete instruction set a factory needs to sample and produce a garment without guessing. It is also how you compare suppliers fairly, because every factory quotes on the same specification. Cydney Mar describes the goal as production-ready tech packs that factories actually understand.
What goes in a garment tech pack?
| Section | What it includes | Why the factory needs it |
|---|---|---|
| Flat sketches | Front, back and detail drawings | Shows exactly what the garment looks like |
| Measurements and grading | Points of measure, tolerances, size range | Keeps fit consistent across sizes |
| Bill of materials | Fabrics, trims, threads, zippers, buttons | Defines what to buy and cost |
| Construction details | Seams, stitches, finishes | Controls quality and durability |
| Colorways | Colors and approved standards for each | Prevents color mismatches |
| Labels and packaging | Care and content labels, tags, folding, bags | Meets retail and legal needs |
How do I build a tech pack?
Start with clarity
Know who the garment is for and the price it must sell at.Draw the flats
Clean technical drawings, not fashion illustrations.Set measurements
Define points of measure and tolerances for a base size, then grade.List every material
Fabric, trims and findings with supplier references where known.Specify construction
Seam types, stitch counts and finishes for each area.Review with the factory
Answer their questions in the tech pack, not in scattered messages.
Which tech pack gaps cause extra sample rounds?
- Missing tolerances, so the factory cannot tell if a measurement is acceptable
- Vague materials such as "soft cotton" instead of a specified fabric
- No construction detail for seams and hems
- Labels and packaging left out until after sampling
- Changes sent by message instead of updating the tech pack
Each gap invites the factory to guess, and each wrong guess costs another sample round.
Do non-clothing products need a tech pack?
Yes. Every consumer product needs a specification document, even if it is not called a tech pack. Jewelry, candles, bath products, homewares and paper goods all need materials, dimensions, finishes and packaging defined before sampling. Cydney Mar has developed products in each of these categories.
Back to the main guide: what a consumer product development consultant does and when to hire one.
Common questions
What is a tech pack for a garment?
A garment tech pack is the technical document a factory uses to make a sample and then production: flat sketches, measurements and grading, materials and trims, construction details, colorways, labels and packaging. Cydney Mar describes a clear, professional tech pack as the difference between a sample that is right the first time and months of expensive back-and-forth.
Why do I need a tech pack before sampling?
You need a tech pack before sampling because a factory can only make what it is told to make. Without specifications, the supplier fills gaps with its own assumptions, and each correction costs another sample round and more time. A tech pack also lets you compare quotes from several suppliers fairly, because each one is pricing the same product.
How many prototypes or samples will I need?
Most products need more than one sample round, and the number depends on how complete your specifications are and how complex the product is. Cydney Mar's pathway calls this step Right Prototypes: develop the right samples and cut costly rework. Fewer, well-specified samples usually cost less than many loosely briefed ones.
What should I ask a supplier before ordering samples?
Before ordering samples, ask about minimum order quantities, sample cost and timing, production lead time, payment terms, the testing or certifications they can provide, and who your day-to-day contact will be. Ask whether the sample price and production price are quoted on the same specification. Get every answer in writing so you can compare suppliers fairly.
What does a product developer do?
A product developer turns a concept into something a factory can make consistently and a buyer will pay for. Daily work includes writing specifications and tech packs, reviewing samples, working with suppliers, checking costs against target prices, and preparing for production. In consumer goods product development, the role sits between design, sourcing and sales.