Tech Packs for Clothing: The Complete Guide for Brands Sourcing from India

Fabric swatches arranged for apparel development and sourcing

A production blueprint for clearer quotes, faster sampling, and controlled apparel manufacturing.

For a first clothing order, an incomplete tech pack creates avoidable uncertainty. Factories may interpret the design differently, quote different materials, or request missing information after sampling has already started.

A clear clothing brand tech pack gives the manufacturer one reference document for design, materials, measurements, construction, labelling, packing, and quality requirements. It converts a visual idea into apparel manufacturing requirements that a mill, pattern maker, factory, and quality-control team can use.

For brands sourcing from India, this documentation is particularly important. Your supplier may be coordinating fabric from Tirupur, denim from Ahmedabad, trims from another city, and garment production through a separate facility. The tech pack keeps every part of the order aligned.

01 / THE CONTROL DOCUMENT

What is a tech pack?

A tech pack is the technical document used to translate a garment design into manufacturing instructions.

One style. One current version. One production reference.

A complete tech pack usually contains:

A mood board shows direction. A sketch shows appearance. A tech pack tells the factory what to make, how to make it, and how to check it.

For first-time brands, incomplete specifications are often the single biggest cause of quoting errors and sampling delays. A factory cannot quote accurately when the fabric weight, trim quality, measurement base, or construction method remains undefined.

02 / THE TECH PACK MODULES

Use the following structure as a practical tech pack template.

Section What to include Why it matters
Style information Style name, style number, season, fit, target market, version number, date Prevents files and revisions from being confused
Design flats Front, back, side views, detail callouts, artwork placement Shows the intended shape and visual details
Bill of Materials Fabric content, construction, GSM, trims, thread, labels, packaging Allows accurate sourcing and quotation
Measurement chart Base size, POM names, measurements, tolerances, measuring method Controls fit and sample evaluation
Grading Size range and grade increments from the base size Defines how the style changes across sizes
Construction details Seam type, stitch type, seam allowance, hems, reinforcements Replaces vague instructions with executable methods
Colour and finish Colour codes, Pantone references, wash, dye, print, or finish Reduces shade and finish variation
Artwork and branding Logo files, dimensions, placement, technique, colour count Prevents print, embroidery, and placement errors
Labelling Brand label, size label, care label, fibre content, country of origin Supports retail and destination-market requirements
Packing Folding method, polybag, barcode, carton ratio, carton marks Aligns the factory with warehouse and retail needs
Quality notes Shrinkage, colourfastness, testing, AQL, approval checkpoints Gives production a measurable control system

Apparel production monitored on the factory floor

Design and technical flats

Start with clean front and back views. Add a side view where the silhouette, rise, sleeve shape, or panel construction requires it.

Use close-up diagrams for:

A flat does not need to be artistic. It needs to be legible. If a detail is important, show it and label it.

Bill of Materials : BOM

The BOM lists every physical component used in the garment.

For fabric, specify:

For example: 100% cotton single jersey, indicative 180 GSM, combed, compact finish, colour to approved lab dip.

For denim, identify the weight in ounces, rigid or stretch construction, wash treatment, and required hardware. For linen, specify whether the product uses 100% flax linen or a blend, along with the intended weight and finish.

List trims individually. Include zippers, buttons, elastic, drawcords, eyelets, thread, labels, hangtags, polybags, cartons, and barcode stickers.

A material name such as “premium cotton” is not a specification. Fibre content, GSM, construction, and finish are specifications.

Measurement chart and grading

Choose one base size. Many brands use a middle size such as M, but the correct base depends on your customer and fit block.

List each Point of Measure, or POM, with:

Typical POMs include chest, waist, hip, shoulder, body length, sleeve length, neck width, armhole, rise, inseam, leg opening, and waistband circumference.

Use centimetres consistently when working with Indian suppliers. State whether measurements are taken before or after washing. For knit garments, identify whether the measurement is taken relaxed or stretched.

Grading is the controlled increase or decrease between sizes. Do not ask a factory to “grade normally.” Provide the size range and grade rules or approve the factory’s proposed grading before sampling.

Construction instructions

Describe how the garment should be assembled.

Include:

Replace “strong stitching” with “5-thread overlock at side seams” or “single-needle lockstitch with 0.6 cm seam allowance.” The exact instruction depends on the garment, but the principle is consistent: define the method rather than the intention.

03 / BUILDING A TECH PACK WITHOUT A DESIGN DEGREE

You do not need a fashion degree to make a useful first tech pack. You need a controlled way to record decisions.

Use accessible tools

For a simple style, you can begin with:

You can also start with a structured free apparel tech pack template from BOMME Studio. Review the fields, then adapt them to your garment and supplier.

Include this first

For an initial T-shirt, sweatshirt, shirt, trouser, or dress, prioritise:

  1. Front and back flats
  2. Fabric composition and GSM
  3. Complete trim list
  4. Base-size measurements
  5. Size range and grading requirements
  6. Construction details
  7. Artwork placement
  8. Labels and packaging
  9. Approval and quality notes

Skip what is not yet decided

Do not create false precision. If the final zipper supplier is not selected, specify the required size, type, colour, and acceptable equivalent. If the colour is not approved, mark it as lab dip required.

Do not include long brand stories, decorative mood-board pages, or technical terms you cannot explain. A short, accurate document is more useful than a large file containing contradictions.

04 / INDIA SOURCING TRANSLATION

A tech pack is the starting language. A sourcing partner converts it into a practical supply plan.

At OpenBiz, we review the specification against suitable mills and factories based on fabric capability, quantity, target price, capacity, compliance, and production history. A single garment may require several coordinated decisions:

Natural linen fabric texture for material specification

We also clarify practical points before quotation:

This is where one accountable partner reduces friction. The tech pack remains the source document, while the sourcing workflow connects it to mills, factories, approvals, quality control, and delivery.

05 / DELAY SIGNALS

Common tech pack mistakes

1. Vague fabric descriptions
“Soft cotton” does not define fibre content, GSM, construction, or finish.

2. Missing tolerances
A measurement without an acceptable range makes sample approval subjective.

3. No measuring diagram
Different teams may measure the same POM differently.

4. Incomplete BOM
Missing thread, labels, interlining, packaging, or hardware creates late quotation changes.

5. Unclear artwork placement
State dimensions and position from fixed landmarks such as High Point Shoulder or Center Front.

6. Conflicting revisions
Always show version number and date. Remove obsolete files from the active supplier thread.

7. Mixed units
Do not combine inches and centimetres without a clear conversion and master unit.

8. Missing wash or shrinkage instructions
State whether measurements and tolerances apply before or after wash.

9. No size logic
Factories need the base size, size range, and grading method before sampling.

10. Packing left until the end
Retail folds, polybag dimensions, barcode positions, and carton ratios affect final execution.

Pre-send checklist

06 / NEXT STEP

A good tech pack does not need to be complex. It needs to be complete, consistent, and usable on the factory floor.

Send OpenBiz your garment sketch, reference images, target quantity, preferred fabric, size range, and delivery market. We can help organise the information into a sourcing-ready requirement, match it with suitable Indian mills or factories, arrange samples, and monitor production against the approved specifications.

Request the OpenBiz tech pack template and sourcing guidance.

One document. One accountable thread. Clearer quotations and fewer sampling corrections.

FAQ / TECH PACK CONTROL

What is the difference between a tech pack and a spec sheet?

A spec sheet usually focuses on measurements. A tech pack is broader. It combines design flats, materials, construction, measurements, grading, branding, labelling, packaging, and quality requirements.

Do I need a tech pack for a small MOQ?

Yes. A smaller order does not remove the risk of incorrect materials, fit, or trims. A tech pack is often more valuable for a small brand because each sample and production correction has a greater effect on the budget.

How long does it take to make a tech pack?

A simple T-shirt may take a few hours if the design and measurements are already decided. A denim garment, printed style, or multi-component woven garment takes longer. The time depends on the number of details requiring technical decisions.

Can I make a tech pack in Excel?

Yes. Excel or Google Sheets works well for BOMs, measurement charts, grading, colourways, and revision tracking. Use a separate page or file for flats and construction diagrams, then export the approved version as a PDF.

What fabric details should I give an Indian supplier?

At minimum, provide fibre composition, fabric construction, GSM or weight, colour, finish, width where relevant, and stretch or shrinkage requirements. For example, a knit requirement may specify 100% cotton single jersey at an indicative 180 GSM.

Should the tech pack include the target price?

Include a target FOB or price range if you have one. It helps the sourcing partner assess realistic fabric, trim, construction, and MOQ options. The final quotation should still be confirmed after material and sample review.

How often should I update my tech pack?

Update it after every approved design or fit change. Increase the revision number, add the date, and record what changed. Send one current version to the supplier and keep the editable master file internally.

Can OpenBiz help if I only have a sketch?

Yes. Share the sketch, reference images, preferred fabric, estimated quantity, size range, and destination market. We can identify the missing apparel manufacturing requirements and guide the next sourcing stage through one coordinated process.