HuaxingA tech pack is the technical instruction file a clothing factory uses to make your garment exactly as you designed it. It covers the flat sketches, measurements and size grading, fabric and trims, artwork placement, colors, labels and packaging — everything a pattern maker, sewer and QC inspector needs without having to guess. A clear tech pack is the single biggest factor in getting an accurate quote, a right-first-time sample and a bulk order that matches it.
At Huaxing Apparel, a BSCI and ISO 9001 certified manufacturer in Dongguan, China, we work from tech packs of every level of detail — from one-page sketches to full production files. This guide explains what a good one contains, what factories actually look at first, and what to do if you don’t have one yet.
Why a Tech Pack Matters
Without a tech pack, the factory has to fill gaps with its own assumptions: which fabric weight, how long the sleeve is, where the logo sits, what the neck label says. Every assumption is a chance for the sample to come back wrong — and every correction round costs you days.
- Accurate pricing. Fabric weight, decoration method and trims drive cost. A factory can only quote precisely when these are specified.
- Fewer sample rounds. Sampling takes us 7–12 days per round. A complete tech pack reduces the number of correction rounds before you can approve.
- Consistent reorders. The tech pack becomes the reference for every future run, so your restock matches your launch.
- Protection. It documents exactly what you ordered, which matters if a bulk order does not match the approved sample.
What to Include in a Tech Pack
A production-ready tech pack for a hoodie, T-shirt or tracksuit usually contains these eight sections:
- Cover page — brand name, style name and number, season, date and revision number.
- Flat sketches — front, back and side technical drawings (not lifestyle illustrations), with callouts for seams, pockets, ribbing and drawcords.
- Measurement spec and grading — a points-of-measure (POM) table such as body length, chest width, sleeve length, shoulder and hem, for every size, with tolerances (typically ±1 cm).
- Bill of materials (BOM) — main fabric with composition and GSM, rib, thread, zippers, drawcords, eyelets and any hardware.
- Colorways — Pantone (TCX) codes for fabric and each artwork color, for every colorway you plan to order.
- Artwork and placement — vector files, print or embroidery method, exact size and position measured from a fixed point (for example “7 cm below the neck seam, centered”).
- Labels and packaging — neck label, care/wash label, hang tag, polybag and folding instructions.
- Construction notes — stitch types, seam finishes, wash or garment-dye treatments and any special requests.
Tech Pack Checklist
Use this table to check your file before you send it to any manufacturer:
| Section | Must include | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Flat sketches | Front, back, detail views | Sending a 3D mockup or photo only |
| Measurements | POM table for every size + tolerance | Only one size listed, or no tolerance |
| Fabric | Composition + GSM + type (fleece, French terry, jersey) | “Heavy cotton” with no weight |
| Color | Pantone TCX codes | Screen colors or RGB values |
| Artwork | Vector file + method + size + position | Low-resolution PNG with no dimensions |
| Trims | Zipper, drawcord, rib specs | Left to “factory standard” |
| Labels & packaging | Label artwork + placement + packing method | Forgotten until bulk production |
| Quantities | Pieces per colorway and size breakdown | Total quantity only |
What Factories Look at First
When a tech pack arrives, the first three things we check are the fabric and weight, the decoration methods and the quantity per style and colorway. Together they decide whether the project fits our process, which fabric we need to source or develop, and roughly what it will cost.
That is why a tech pack with a clear BOM and artwork specs can be quoted quickly, while a beautiful mood board without numbers usually leads to a round of questions first. If you are unsure which decoration to specify, our printing and embroidery page shows the techniques we apply in-house, from screen print and 3D puff to chain stitch and chenille.
Don’t Have a Tech Pack? You Can Still Start
Many first-time brands don’t have a full tech pack, and that is normal. There are three practical ways to start:
- Reference garment. Send photos and measurements of a garment whose fit you like. Our cut & sew team can develop a pattern from it.
- Sketches and references. Hand sketches, reference photos and your logo files are enough for our development team to build the specification with you. This is the ODM route.
- Start from an existing style. Choose one of our developed hoodie, tee or tracksuit bodies and customize fabric, color, decoration and labels.
Whichever route you take, the result should be the same: a written specification and a physical sample you approve before any bulk fabric is cut.
Common Tech Pack Mistakes
- No size range. One size of measurements forces the factory to grade your sizes for you — and their grading may not match your customer.
- Vague fabric. “Heavyweight” can mean 300 or 500 GSM. Always give a number.
- Artwork without dimensions. A logo with no size or position will be placed by eye.
- Too many revisions in circulation. Number every version and send only the latest, so the sample room and production line work from the same file.
- Ignoring MOQ. Splitting one style into many colorways can push each colorway below the factory’s minimum. Our MOQ guide explains how to plan quantities.
How to Send Your Tech Pack to Us
Fill in our quote form with your product, quantity and timeline, then send the tech pack file (PDF, AI or Excel) to your account manager on WhatsApp or by email — we reply with pricing, fabric options and a production timeline, usually within one business day. Production terms are listed on our factory capabilities page: 50 pieces per style MOQ, 7–12 days sampling and about 25 days for bulk after sample approval.
FAQ: Tech Packs for Clothing Brands
What is a tech pack in clothing?
A tech pack is a technical document that tells a clothing factory exactly how to make a garment. It includes flat sketches, a measurement and grading table, the bill of materials (fabric, GSM, trims), Pantone colors, artwork placement, labels, packaging and construction notes.
Do I need a tech pack to work with a clothing manufacturer?
Not always. A full tech pack gives the most accurate quote and the fewest sample rounds, but many manufacturers, including Huaxing Apparel, can start from sketches, reference photos or a garment you already have and build the specification with you.
What should a tech pack include?
At minimum: front and back flat sketches, a points-of-measure table for every size with tolerances, fabric composition and GSM, trims, Pantone color codes, artwork files with print or embroidery method, size and position, label and packaging details, and quantities per colorway and size.
What file format should a tech pack be?
PDF is the most common format because it opens on any device. Many brands also send the original Adobe Illustrator file for artwork and an Excel sheet for measurements.
How does a tech pack affect sampling time?
Sampling at Huaxing takes 7 to 12 days per round. A complete tech pack reduces the questions and correction rounds needed before you can approve a sample, so you reach bulk production sooner.