Tech pack — czym jest, co zawiera i jak go przygotować przed pierwszą produkcją

What is a tech pack and why it is essential

A tech pack (short for technical package) is the technical documentation for a garment — the complete set of information a manufacturer needs to produce exactly what you want. It includes flat sketches, fabric specifications, a size chart, branding instructions, and finish descriptions.

Without a tech pack, the manufacturer builds a prototype based on their own interpretation of your description. The same sentence can mean completely different products to different pattern cutters. "A hooded sweatshirt" might mean a premium piece with a double-layer hood, flatlock seams, and an embroidered chest logo to you — but to the manufacturer it may mean a wholesale base with a sewn-in label. The gap between what you expected and what you receive is the cost of another prototype round.

What a good tech pack must contain

A tech pack does not need to be a polished document running to dozens of pages. It needs to be complete and unambiguous. Here are the elements that must appear in every tech pack:

Technical sketches — how to prepare them

You do not need to be a fashion designer to produce a good technical sketch. Here are three approaches, from simplest to most precise:

Hand-drawn sketch with annotations: draw the garment front and back, use arrows to label every detail. "Zip-fastened pocket with YKK zip" beats the most beautiful drawing with no labels. Take a photo or scan it.

Sketch in Canva or Figma: flat sketch templates for standard products (t-shirt, hoodie, shorts) are available for free. Draw on the template and annotate the details.

Adobe Illustrator flat sketch: if you have access to Illustrator or know someone who does — an AI flat sketch offers the greatest precision. The manufacturer can mark their own notes directly on it.

Size chart and measurements

The size chart is one of the elements most often missing or incorrectly prepared. "Size M" is not a measurement — it is a label that means different numbers in different industries and at different manufacturers. The manufacturer sews to specific centimetres, not to a letter.

Minimum set of measurements for a sportswear collection:

• Chest circumference — measured at the widest point, across both sides
• Waist circumference — for products with an elasticated waist or waistband
• Total length — from shoulder to hem (tops) or from waistband to hem (bottoms)
• Sleeve length — from shoulder to cuff or wrist
• Shoulder width — seam to seam across the shoulders
• Neck circumference — for products with a collar or mock-neck

Provide measurements for each size individually (S, M, L, XL, XXL). The manufacturer then has hard data to sew to, and you can assess the prototype precisely — checking whether measurements match, rather than whether it "looks about right".

Fabric and trims specification

If you are supplying the fabric yourself (CMT model), deliver a sample to the manufacturer together with the tech pack. If the manufacturer is sourcing the fabric for you (Full Package), the more precisely you define the parameters, the less time sourcing takes and the lower the risk of error.

Core fabric parameters to specify:

• Composition: e.g. 92% cotton / 8% elastane — this affects stretch, durability, and care
• Weight: stated in g/m² — lightweight jerseys are 130–180 g/m², sweatshirt fleece 280–340 g/m², fleece linings 200–280 g/m²
• Knit structure: single jersey (thin, stretchy), interlock (thicker, more stable), French terry (sweatshirt), mesh (open, breathable)
• Colour: Pantone reference or physical swatch — "navy" is not a colour specification
• Certification: whether the fabric must carry Oeko-Tex, GOTS, or another certificate

Branding, labels, and packaging

Branding is often the least defined part of a tech pack — yet it is exactly what determines whether a product looks like a finished brand or a blank from a wholesaler.

Logo and external branding: specify the technique (machine embroidery, DTF print, screen printing), the position (e.g. "centre chest, 7 cm below the neckline"), logo dimensions (width in cm), and colours (Pantone or CMYK/RGB codes). Supply the logo file in vector format (AI, EPS, PDF).

Composition and care label: must include fabric composition (in line with EU requirements), wash instructions (ISO symbols), country of manufacture ("Made in Poland"), and size. Labels can be woven or printed — woven labels are more durable and look better on premium garments.

Packaging: is the product going into a polybag, on a hanger tag, in a box? Does the hanger tag carry the logo print? Does the polybag get a size and barcode sticker? Each of these elements has a cost and must be included in the budget.

How to prepare a tech pack without a fashion designer

Most new brands do not have an apparel designer in the team — and that is perfectly normal. A tech pack can be prepared independently, step by step:

Step 1 — gather references: find 3–5 existing products on the market (photos from shops, Alibaba, brand Instagram) that most closely resemble your product. Mark what you like and what you want to change.

Step 2 — draw the garment: a simple hand-drawn front/back sketch with annotated details. It does not need to look nice — it needs to be legible.

Step 3 — measure yourself or reference garments: take a product from the market with a cut you like and measure it flat on a table. Build your size chart around those measurements.

Step 4 — specify the fabric: visit a fabric wholesaler or ask the manufacturer for a swatch book. Choose fabric by touching it physically — no photo conveys how a material handles. Note the reference number.

Step 5 — prepare the logo as a vector: if you have a logo in JPG or PNG format — ask a graphic designer to convert it to AI or EPS. This costs 50–200 PLN (approx. €12–50) and is essential for embroidery or screen printing.

Most common tech pack mistakes