Tech pack garment guide
Tech pack for garments: what a factory needs from you
Last updated: November 2026 Published by Cydney Mar
A garment tech pack is the technical document a factory uses to make your product: sketches, measurements, materials, construction details, labels and packaging instructions.
On Idea to Income Roadmap, the tech pack belongs to Right Prototypes, stage two of Cydney Mar's Concept-to-Reality Pathway. Cydney, who has designed fashion for more than 45 years, describes a clear, professional tech pack as the difference between a sample that is right the first time and months of expensive back-and-forth.
Do I need a tech pack before contacting a factory?
For apparel and most sewn goods, yes. Without one, the factory guesses at measurements, materials and construction, and each guess becomes another sample round. A tech pack also makes quotes from different factories comparable, because every factory is pricing the same thing.
| Section | What it contains | Why the factory needs it |
|---|---|---|
| Flat sketches | Front, back and detail drawings without styling | Shows exactly what to build |
| Measurements and grading | Points of measure and sizes across the range | Gets fit right in every size |
| Bill of materials | Fabrics, trims, threads, zips, buttons and colors | Allows accurate sourcing and costing |
| Construction details | Seams, stitches, finishes and tolerances | Prevents the factory filling gaps with guesses |
| Labels and artwork | Brand, care and size labels; print placement | Keeps branding and compliance consistent |
| Packaging instructions | Folding, bagging, tags and carton details | Matches what your sales channel requires |
How to prepare before the tech pack
- Finish Product Clarity: what it is, who it is for, the target price.
- Collect references for fit, fabric and finish.
- Decide your size range before measurements are drawn.
- Set a target unit cost so materials are chosen with margin in mind.
Getting help with tech packs
Cydney Mar calls product development her craft, including production-ready tech packs that factories understand, plus sampling, sourcing, costing and production readiness. Her clients have worked on fashion, jewelry and other consumer products for retail, TV and direct-to-consumer brands.
This page is part of the idea to income product roadmap guide, which shows how each stage fits together from first idea to first sale.
Common questions
- What is a tech pack for a garment?
- A garment tech pack is the technical document a factory uses to make your product: flat sketches, measurements and grading, materials and trims, construction details, labels and packaging instructions. Cydney Mar describes a clear, professional tech pack as the difference between a sample that is right the first time and months of expensive back-and-forth.
- Do I need a tech pack before contacting a factory?
- For apparel and many sewn goods, yes. Without a tech pack, a factory has to guess at measurements, materials and construction, and guesses become extra sample rounds. Some factories will quote from a sketch, but quotes tend to change once details are defined. A tech pack also makes quotes from different factories comparable.
- How many samples should I expect before production?
- It depends on the product’s complexity and how complete your specifications are. Clear specifications and a professional tech pack reduce sample rounds, while vague direction usually adds them. Plan your budget and timeline for more than one round, and treat each round as a chance to confirm fit, materials, cost and quality.
- How do I choose the right supplier?
- Choose suppliers on quality, communication and reliability, not price alone. Ask for samples, notice how clearly and quickly they respond, confirm minimum order quantities and lead times in writing, and compare quotes made from the same specification. The Concept-to-Reality Pathway treats vetted suppliers as a separate stage because a poor fit is costly to undo.
- What types of products does Cydney Mar work on?
- Cydney Mar’s focus is consumer products for retail, TV and direct-to-consumer brands. Over her career she has created fashion, jewelry, bath bombs, scented candles, homewares, paper products, car accessories and her own Cydney Mar Wellness vitamins and supplements. Fashion and product design are her longest-running specialty, across more than 45 years.
- What if I am stuck partway through developing my product?
- Being stuck usually means one stage was skipped or rushed. Identify which stage you are in, then check whether the earlier stages are truly finished: is the product clearly defined, is the sample right, are suppliers vetted, are margins real? Cydney Mar works with founders who are stuck on a tech pack, sample, factory or pricing.
Score your idea first. Then decide what help you need.
The From Idea to Income workbook is free and takes five honest minutes to score your idea. When you want an experienced guide for samples, suppliers, margins or launch, contact Cydney Mar directly.