Tech Pack Development: What Every Designer Needs

You've designed a stunning garment. Your sketches are beautiful, your vision is clear, and you're ready to bring your creation to life. But when you approach manufacturers with just design sketches, you're met with confusion, misquotes, and production delays. What's missing?

A professional tech pack.

Tech pack development is the bridge between creative design and actual production. It's the comprehensive technical blueprint that translates your artistic vision into precise, factory-ready specifications. Without a proper product development pack, even the most brilliant designs end up as bad samples, budget disasters, and production nightmares.

Whether you're a fashion student launching your first collection, an independent designer working with overseas manufacturers, or an established brand streamlining production, understanding tech packs is non-negotiable.

This guide covers exactly what a tech pack is, why it matters, what to include, how to build one correctly, and the mistakes that keep killing your margins.

What is a "Tech Pack Development"?

A tech pack (technical package or product development pack) is a complete document containing all the technical information required to manufacture a garment exactly as designed. It is the instruction manual your factory follows.

Not optional. Not a “nice to have”. It’s mandatory if you’re serious.

Beyond Design Sketches

Many designers think mood boards and pretty sketches are enough. They’re completely wrong.

What sketches show:

• General aesthetic

• Design elements

• Approximate silhouette

• Creative intent

What sketches DON’T show:

• Exact measurements for every size

• Seam allowances and finishings

• Stitch types and construction sequence

• Fabric weight and technical data

• Trim size and placement

• Tolerances and acceptable variation

• Quality standards

Your sketch inspires — the tech pack instructs.

Tech Pack = Universal Manufacturing Language

A tech pack is the single source of truth between you and the factory.

It ensures:

• The factory knows exactly what to make

• Everyone follows the same specifications

• Quotes are correct

• Sampling is faster

• Quality is measurable

• Production is repeatable

Without it, everything is “assumption-based” — and assumptions cost money.

Why Tech Packs Are Essential

Accurate Manufacturing Quotes

Without tech pack:

• Factory guesses complexity

• Prices are random

• Hidden charges appear later

With tech pack:

• Every cost is clear

• Complexity is defined

• Factories can give real quotes

Result: 40–60% more accurate costing.

Fewer Sampling Rounds

Without tech pack:

• 5–7 samples needed

• Endless corrections

• Time + money wasted

With tech pack:

• 2–3 samples max

• Faster approval

• Changes clearly documented

Result: Weeks saved. Thousands saved.

Stronger Quality Control

Without tech pack:

• No standard

• “Close enough” accepted

• Returns increase

With tech pack:

• Clear tolerance limits

• Defined checkpoints

• Consistent product

Result: 50–70% fewer defects.

Better Communication

Without tech pack:

• Hundreds of emails

• Confusion

• Language issues

With tech pack:

• Everything in one file

• Visual + written clarity

• Version control

Result: 60–80% less back-and-forth.

Scalability

Without tech pack:

• Hard to repeat styles

• Can’t switch factories

• Knowledge lost

With tech pack:

• Easy reproduction

• Easy factory change

• Documentation stays forever

Result: Real growth becomes possible.

Essential Components of a Professional Tech Pack

1. Cover Page / Header

Must include:

• Style name & style number

• Season / collection

• Designer / brand name

• Date created + version

• Category (Men/Women/Kids)

• Garment type (Shirt, Trouser, Dress etc.)

• Target price

• Primary fabric

Purpose: Instant identification.

2. Technical Flat Sketch (CAD / Flat Drawing)

You need:

• Front view

• Back view

• Side view (if needed)

• Zoomed-in detail views

Rules:

• Black & white

• Clean vector lines

• No shading

• All features labelled

Tools used: Adobe Illustrator, CLO3D, CorelDraw, CAD

Purpose: Shows EXACT construction layout.

3. Measurement Specifications (Size Chart / POM)

Add:

• Points of Measure (POM)

• All size measurements

• Tolerance (+ / – 0.5 cm or 0.25”)

• How each measurement is taken

For example (Top):

• Shoulder width

• Chest (1” below armhole)

• Sleeve length

• Hem width

• CF & CB length

Best Practice:Always measure the approved sample, not a rough pattern.

Purpose: Fixes fit issues BEFORE production.

4. Bill of Materials (BOM)

Every item used must be listed:

Fabric details:

• Fabric type

• GSM

• Width

• Color (Pantone)

• Supplier

• Consumption

Trim details:

• Button size & type

• Zip length & type

• Thread type & color

• Label type

• Elastic data

• Interlining

Purpose: Zero confusion in sourcing + costing.

5. Construction Details & Sewing Instructions (COMPLETING YOUR CUT-OFF SECTION)

This is what you didn’t finish. Here it is completed and properly structured:

Seam Types:

• French seam

• Flat-felled seam

• Overlocked seam

• Bound seam

• Clean-finish seam

Stitch Type Codes:

• 301 – Lockstitch

• 401 – Chain stitch

• 504 – Overlock

• 406 – Coverstitch

Include for each seam:

• Stitch type code

• Stitch per inch (SPI)

• Thread type

• Seam allowance (usually 1cm or ⅜”)

• Pressing direction

• Topstitch distance if applicable

Example:

Side seam: 504 overlock + 301 lockstitch, 10 SPI, 1cm seam allowance, pressed towards back.

Collars/Cuffs/Hems:

• Folding method

• Facing/interfacing used

• Turn of cloth direction

• Edge finish

Purpose: Guides the sewing floor with zero doubt.

6. Colorways

If your style comes in multiple colours:

• Add a flat for each color

• Add Pantone code for each

• Mention which trims color change

• Mention fabric change (if any)

Purpose: Eliminates color mismatch.

7. Labeling & Packaging Instructions

You must specify:

• Brand label size and position

• Size label placement

• Care label content

• Hangtag attachment method

• Folding method

• Polybag size

• Barcode placement

• Carton packing ratio

Factories WILL mess this up unless you specify it.

Common Tech Pack Mistakes (Brutally Honest)

You’re sabotaging yourself if you:

• Use vague measurements (“around”, “approx”)

• Don’t include tolerances

• Skip seam allowances

• Forget stitch types

• Don’t label sketches

• Mix cm and inch

• Assume factory “knows this”

• Send low-quality sketches

• Never update versions

If you’ve ever said “You already know how this is done” — you are the problem, not the factory.

How to Create a Tech Pack Professionally

Only two real options:

1. Learn technical garment documentation deeply

2. Hire a professional who already knows it

Half-knowledge here destroys your brand.

You need:

• Pattern understanding

• Fabric knowledge

• Construction logic

• Industry standards

• CAD tools

If you don’t have ALL of these, don’t DIY it.

Final Truth

If you’re serious about being a real designer, not just an “idea person”, a tech pack isn’t optional. It’s your foundation.

No tech pack = no control, No control = no quality, No quality = no brand

At COKAA, we don’t just make tech packs. We build factory-ready systems that reduce your cost, time, and mistakes.

If you’re done guessing and ready to produce correctly — you already know what to do next.