The Anatomy of a Great Tech Pack (And Why Each Piece Matters)

Tech Pack Basics: What Every Apparel Brand Needs to Include

Creating a tech pack might sound intimidating at first, but once you understand the essential elements, it becomes one of the most powerful tools in your product development toolkit. While every company might use a slightly different format or software system, a successful tech pack always includes three foundational components: Technical Sketches, a Bill of Materials (BOM), and Measurements.

Technical Sketches

There’s more than one way to sketch a garment. Some brands opt for hand-drawn illustrations with notes, while others use digital flat sketches with detailed callouts. The goal is always the same: communicate your design clearly to your factory partner.

At the most advanced level, some teams even build coded construction libraries using close-up digital drawings labeled with codes like “C01” for different types of collars. These systems reduce the need for excessive text and make it easier to communicate across language barriers.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

Think of the BOM as your garment’s shopping list. It should include every fabric, trim, label, and packaging item used in the piece, along with quantities and cost estimates.

One of the biggest mistakes brands make is treating the BOM as a copy-and-paste form. But overlooking just one row, like forgetting a zipper color or fabric weight, can derail your production.

Measurements

Measurements are the foundation of quality control. Whether you're starting with base size measurements or including full grade rules, these specs help your manufacturer build patterns and check samples against your exact standards.

Keep It Clean and Clear

You can add other components too like packaging instructions, construction details, or how-to-measure diagrams. But the golden rule? Don’t duplicate information.

For example, if you list a pocket measurement on your measurement sheet, don’t include it again on your sketch. Double-listing details leads to confusion—and confusion leads to costly mistakes.

Ready to Build Your Own Tech Pack?

Let us help you do it right from the start:

Download our Tech Pack Template – A customizable tool designed for emerging apparel brands.

Join The Board – Get access to expert guidance, vetted tools, and community support.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter – Weekly insights, resources, and tips to help you scale your fashion brand.