How To Create A Tech Pack For Custom Sportswear.
The single document that determines how close your sample comes to what you actually pictured — and what to send us if you don't have one yet.
A real tech pack, exchanged and confirmed over WhatsApp before we cut a single piece.
What A Tech Pack Actually Is
A tech pack is the instruction sheet a factory builds your garment from — flat sketches, measurements, fabric and colour specs, and construction notes, all in one document. The clearer it is, the closer your first sample lands to what you pictured, and the fewer rounds of revision it takes to get there.
The Core Elements A Good Tech Pack Includes
Front and back flats. Simple line drawings of the garment, flat, from the front and back — they don't need to be professional, even a clear hand sketch or a well-labelled reference photo works.
A size chart. Body measurements for every size you need produced — chest, length, sleeve, waist, whatever's relevant to the garment — usually as a simple table (XS through 4XL, for example).
Fabric and GSM spec. The fabric type (polyester, poly-cotton, BT lycra, mesh) and weight (GSM) you want, or a reference to "match this fabric" if you're sourcing from an existing garment.
Colour codes. Pantone (PMS) codes if you have them, or clear reference images — "match this exact shade of blue" is far more reliable than a colour name alone.
Construction notes. Panel placement, seam type, mesh ventilation zones, trims (zippers, drawcords, elastic), and anything specific about how the garment should be put together.
Branding and labelling. Where your logo, numbering or wordmark goes, the method (sublimation, embroidery, screen print), and any hang tag or neck label requirements.
Don't Have A Formal Tech Pack? Start Here Instead
Most first-time brands don't arrive with a polished tech pack, and that's fine — it's not a requirement to start a conversation. A reference photo of a similar garment, a rough sketch, or even a clear written description of what you're picturing is enough for our team to start developing it into a proper spec with you. That's ODM in practice: you bring the idea, we build the tech pack around it. See our OEM vs. ODM guide for the full distinction.
Why This Document Matters More Than It Seems
Vague specs are the single biggest cause of a sample missing the mark — not fabric availability, not factory skill, just ambiguity in the brief. A tech pack that nails down measurements, colour and construction up front means fewer sample rounds, which means a shorter path from idea to a bulk order you're confident in.
A Quick Checklist Before You Send Yours Over
- Front and back flats or clear reference images
- A size chart covering every size you need
- Fabric type and weight (or a reference garment to match)
- Pantone codes or clear colour references
- Construction and trim notes
- Branding placement and application method