Tech Pack Template: 12 Fields Every Factory Needs

What the 12 fields actually do

A tech pack is not a style sheet. It is a production instruction. If a buyer sends a factory a photo of a jacket and a list of colors, sampling will drift. The first fit will be close, the second will be closer, and the third may still miss the customer requirement.

The 12 fields below exist to remove guesswork. They cover identity, construction, materials, fit, and quality. When each field is filled with specific data, the factory has a reference point for every decision.

The template works best when it is short. Twelve fields is enough for most apparel items. If a garment needs more detail, split it into a main pack and a sub-pack for trims or embroidery.

How to structure the document

The first page should be the cover. It shows the garment name, style number, size range, season, and target market. This page lets the buyer and factory match the right file quickly.

The second page is the flat sketch. This is a front and back line drawing. It shows seam placement, pocket location, closure type, and visible stitching. It does not need to be an artist rendering. Clean lines are enough.

The third page is the measurement chart. It lists the key points: neck width, chest, waist, hip, length, sleeve, and inseam. It also lists the tolerance for each point. Without tolerance, a one or two centimeter difference is not a defect. With tolerance, it is.

The fourth page is the material list. This is where most errors happen. If the material row says “cotton jersey” and does not say weight, composition, or lot, the factory may use a similar fabric that feels different.

The fifth page is the trim and hardware list. Zippers, buttons, hooks, labels, and elastic all go here. Each item needs a specification. A “zipper” is not enough. It needs size, color, and source.

The sixth page is the construction notes. This page explains how the garment is assembled. It covers seam types, stitch count, edge finishing, and pressing. It is where the engineer tells the factory what the finished product should look like.

The seventh page is the quality and packaging notes. This page defines acceptance criteria. It lists defects that fail the inspection. It also lists the packaging requirements for retail or e-commerce.

The remaining pages are for specific details. A knit shirt may have a stretch test. A padded coat may have a fill specification. A denim shirt may have a wash recipe.

How to write the material section

The material section is the most important part of the pack. It must be specific. “Cotton” is not a material specification. “100 percent ring-spun cotton, 150 grams per square meter, white, lot number from supplier” is a material specification.

The composition must be exact. If the buyer requires 95 percent cotton and 5 percent elastane, the factory must see those numbers. If the buyer requires a specific dye lot, the factory must see the lot number. If the buyer requires a specific finish, such as sanforized or enzyme washed, the factory must see that word.

The weight is a range. A 150 gram jersey is not the same as a 120 gram jersey. The weight affects drape, recovery, and how the garment sits on the body. If the factory uses a lighter fabric, the garment may look thin and cheap. If it uses a heavier fabric, the garment may look stiff and not match the design intent.

The source is the final check. The buyer may require a specific mill. The factory must know where to buy the fabric. If the source is not listed, the factory may choose the cheapest option that looks similar.

How to define fit and tolerance

Fit is not just about the measurement. It is about how the measurement behaves. A chest measurement of 100 centimeters means nothing if the fit note says “slim” or “relaxed.” The fit note tells the factory how to cut the fabric around the body.

The tolerance is the margin of error. A tolerance of plus or minus one centimeter is standard for most measurements. A tolerance of plus or minus two centimeters may be acceptable for loose-fit styles. A tolerance of plus or minus half a centimeter is for structured items where precision matters.

The fit note should mention the body area. “Chest” is not enough. “Chest at the underarm” is better. “Chest at the flat, underarm to underarm” is clearest. The more specific the point, the less the factory has to interpret.

The size range must be clear. If the style runs from XS to 4XL, the factory must know the size increments. If the style runs from 1 to 12, the factory must know the body dimensions for each size. If the factory does not have a size chart, it will guess. The buyer should provide the chart.

How to document trims and hardware

Trims are the small parts that make or break the finished garment. A zipper that does not match the fabric color is a defect. A button that pops off is a defect. A label that rubs the neck is a defect.

Each trim needs a line item. The line item should have the name, size, color, material, and source. A “zipper” is not enough. “5 cm metal zipper, gold, 20 teeth per inch, brand X, lot Y” is enough.

The hardware must be tested. The buyer should specify the test. A button must withstand a certain pull force. A zipper must withstand a certain number of opens and closes. A hook and loop fastener must hold a certain weight. If the test is not in the pack, the factory may skip it.

The trims list should also include the placement. A button at the collar is not the same as a button at the placket. The flat sketch shows the location. The trim list shows the part.

How to avoid sampling errors

Sampling errors come from missing information. If the pack is incomplete, the factory will fill in the gaps with its own experience. That experience may not match the buyer intent.

The most common error is the fabric substitution. The buyer wants a specific hand feel. The factory uses a similar fabric that is cheaper. The first sample looks fine. The customer feels the difference. The second sample is rejected.

The second common error is the trim mismatch. The buyer wants a matte black zipper. The factory uses a shiny black zipper. The difference is small, but it changes the look.

The third common error is the seam allowance. The buyer wants a standard seam. The factory uses a wider seam. The garment fits differently. The pattern may need to be adjusted.

The fix is a complete pack. The pack should be reviewed by the buyer before it goes to the factory. It should be reviewed by the factory before it sends the first sample. The review should focus on missing fields, not on style preferences.

How to choose the right template

A template is not one size fits all. A knit dress and a padded coat need different fields. But the 12 fields below are the core. They work for most apparel items.

The table below shows the fields and what to look for in each.

Criterion	What to look for	Why it matters
Style ID	Unique code, season, and market	Prevents file confusion across multiple styles
Flat Sketch	Front, back, and detail views	Shows seam placement and construction logic
Measurement Chart	Key points with tolerance	Defines fit and limits acceptable error
Material List	Composition, weight, lot, source	Prevents fabric substitution and drift
Trim List	Name, size, color, material, source	Ensures hardware and accessories match
Construction Notes	Stitch type, edge finish, pressing	Guides assembly and final appearance
Quality Notes	Defect list and inspection criteria	Sets the standard for acceptance
Packaging Notes	Bag, box, and label requirements	Meets retail and shipping needs
Size Chart	Body dimensions for each size	Prevents pattern scaling errors
Fit Note	Silhouette and body area	Clarifies how the garment sits on the body
Wash Recipe	Process and chemical list for denim	Ensures consistent color and hand
Test Spec	Pull force, zipper cycles, stretch	Verifies trim and fabric performance

The template should be easy to update. If a buyer changes the color of the zipper, the update should take five minutes, not five days. The document should be version controlled. The version number should be on the cover page. The date should be on the cover page. The author should be on the cover page.

The factory should confirm receipt of the pack. It should send back a signed copy. The signed copy is the agreement. If the factory later says it did not know about a requirement, the signed copy is the record.

How to make the pack work in production

A tech pack is not a one-time document. It is a living reference. During sampling, the pack is updated. During pre-production, the pack is checked. During mass production, the pack is used as the standard.

The buyer should keep a master copy. The factory should keep its own copy. The sample room should have a copy. The production floor should have a copy. If the pack is only in an email, it will get lost.

The pack should be printed for the production floor. The workers need to see the seam type and the stitch count. They do not read long documents. They need a clear reference.

The pack should be checked at every stage. The fabric inspection checks the material list. The sample inspection checks the construction notes. The final inspection checks the quality notes. If the check is not in the pack, it is not done.

A good tech pack saves time. It reduces email threads. It reduces sample rework. It reduces production defects. It gives the buyer confidence that the factory understands the garment.

Decision checklist

Use this checklist before sending the pack to the factory.

1. The style number, season, and market are on the cover page.
2. The flat sketch shows front, back, and detail views.
3. The measurement chart has all key points and tolerances.
4. The material list has composition, weight, lot, and source.
5. The trim list has name, size, color, material, and source.
6. The construction notes have stitch type, edge finish, and pressing.
7. The quality notes have a defect list and inspection criteria.
8. The packaging notes have bag, box, and label requirements.
9. The size chart has body dimensions for each size.
10. The fit note has silhouette and body area.
11. The wash recipe is included for denim or treated fabrics.
12. The test spec has pull force, zipper cycles, or stretch.

If any item is missing, do not send the pack. Add it. The factory will not guess. The factory will ask. The question costs time. The missing field costs more.

A complete tech pack is the foundation of a smooth production run. It aligns the buyer, the factory, and the customer. It turns a design into a product. It is the document that makes the garment possible.