How to Write a Clothing Tech Pack
A clothing tech pack is the controlled production specification that tells a factory what to make, how to measure it, and which details require buyer approval. For China menswear OEM, it should connect technical drawings, a POM measurement chart, fabric and GSM requirements, construction, labels and trims, decoration placements, grading, and packing instructions. Start with a clear style brief, then replace assumptions with measurable requirements before requesting a sample. MOQ is 100 pcs, samples take approximately 7 days once the brief and materials are confirmed, and bulk timing depends on quantity.
At a glance
Swipe the table sideways to compare both columns →
| Tech pack section | What to include | Factory risk if vague |
|---|---|---|
| Style overview and drawings | Style code, intended fit, front and back flats, detail views, and reference priority | Wrong silhouette, missing features, or conflicting interpretations |
| POM chart and grading | Measurement method, base size, units, tolerances, size range, and grade increments | Inconsistent fit, incorrect measurement checks, or unsuitable size progression |
| Fabric, trims, and labels | Composition, fabric structure, target GSM, finish, color references, and component specifications | Unapproved substitutions, different hand feel, or incorrect branding |
| Construction and decoration | Seams, stitches, reinforcement, artwork dimensions, placement anchors, and application method | Different assembly quality, misplaced artwork, or incompatible decoration processes |
| Packing and document control | Folding, bags, carton requirements, assortment, revision log, and approval status | Packing errors, traceability gaps, or production against an outdated specification |
1. Define the style and build clear technical drawings
Begin with a style overview that a merchandiser, pattern maker, and production team can interpret consistently. State the style code, product type, intended wearer, season or use, fit direction, size range, and planned colorways. For menswear, terms such as relaxed shirt, straight-leg trouser, or oversized sweatshirt need supporting dimensions rather than being treated as complete specifications. Separate mandatory design requirements from areas where you want the factory to recommend a solution. Identify the base sample size and list the contents of the pack. Use stable component names throughout so the drawing, bill of materials, and measurement chart refer to the same parts.
Add technical flat drawings showing the front and back, then create enlarged views for features that cannot be understood at that scale. Show pocket shapes, panel seams, closures, collars, cuffs, vents, waistband details, and any lining or internal construction that affects assembly. Number callouts and connect them to written specifications instead of relying on appearance alone. Reference photographs can explain a desired look, but identify which features they support and which must not be copied. If a physical reference sample is supplied, define its role and resolve differences before sampling. Tech Pack vs Reference Sample is useful companion reading for setting that priority without leaving the factory to choose.
2. Specify POM measurements, grading, and materials
Build the point of measurement, or POM, chart around how the garment will actually be checked. Give each POM a code, a plain-language description, a measurement method, a unit, a base-size value, and an acceptable tolerance. Include diagrams where an endpoint or garment position could be misunderstood. For example, specify whether chest width is measured flat at a defined distance below the armhole, rather than writing chest alone. State whether measurements apply before or after a required wash or finishing process. Add grade increments or complete size measurements, and review their effect on proportions. Do not assume that sleeves, neck openings, pockets, and body widths should all increase by the same amount.
Create a bill of materials that identifies every fabric and component used in the garment. For shell fabric, record composition, knit or weave structure, target GSM, finish, color reference, and any approved swatch or supplier reference. GSM describes mass per unit area; it does not independently establish thickness, opacity, softness, or durability. Specify the acceptance range where it matters and request confirmation of material availability before treating a specification as final. Record rib, lining, interlining, pocketing, thread, and fastening requirements separately. If a material substitution is proposed, require written approval and evaluate any impact on fit, decoration, and care instructions. Startup Fashion Tech Pack Checklist provides companion reading for checking whether these specification categories are complete for a first sample.
3. Detail construction, labels, trims, and decoration
Write construction instructions for the details that affect appearance, function, or repeatability. Specify seam and stitch requirements in terms the factory can confirm, supported by detail drawings or an approved construction reference where necessary. Cover hem widths, visible topstitch positions, reinforcement at stress points, pocket attachment, closure installation, and the treatment of internal edges. For a menswear trouser, this may include waistband assembly, fly construction, belt-loop placement, and pocket-bag attachment. For a sweatshirt, it may include neck tape, rib attachment, and seam finishing. Ask the factory to flag operations that conflict with the selected fabric or equipment. Review proposed alternatives before sampling rather than accepting an undocumented change during production.
List labels, trims, and decoration as controlled components, not informal finishing notes. Define label dimensions, artwork version, base material, folding method, attachment position, and orientation. Provide intended-market labeling requirements for review, and verify composition, care, and origin statements against the actual product and applicable rules. For prints and embroidery, supply usable artwork, finished dimensions, color references, application method, and placement measured from named garment landmarks. Clarify whether artwork size or position changes across sizes. Request appropriate artwork or application approval before bulk production, especially when the process may affect the fabric. Do not describe a garment as certified or tested unless the relevant, verifiable evidence supports that specific claim and scope.
4. Confirm packing, sample approvals, and revision control
Specify packing before the final quotation and production handoff because presentation and handling requirements can affect materials, labor, and dispatch preparation. Record the folding method, individual bag requirements, size stickers, barcode data ownership, hangtag attachment, and carton marking instructions. State the intended size and color assortment within cartons when that arrangement matters to your receiving operation. Identify any destination-specific packaging information that needs verification instead of assuming one packing method suits every market. Submit the pack with an inquiry that includes your proposed quantity, size split, color split, and destination. MOQ is 100 pcs; confirm how that minimum applies to the proposed style and color allocation. Bulk timing depends on quantity and should be confirmed against the approved scope.
Use one revision system from the first inquiry through production release. Put the style code, revision identifier, date, and approval status on the main document, and maintain a change log that names the affected pages or specifications. Samples take approximately 7 days once the brief and materials are confirmed; unresolved specifications or material changes can require the schedule to be reviewed. Compare the sample against the current pack, record measured deviations, and separate correction requests from new design changes. Issue one consolidated update and obtain confirmation that superseded files will not be used. Startup Fashion Tech Pack Checklist is companion reading for first-time buyers organizing this handoff. Archive the approved pack and clearly identify the approved sample before authorizing bulk production.
Handoff checklist when the tech pack is still thin
If a full tech pack is not ready, a reference garment, clear photos and a written change list with measurements can still start sampling. After approval, ask the factory to record the agreed specification so reorders have a stable pack. Treat that recorded version as the master: put a style code, version date and change log on every release, and require the factory to acknowledge which version it will sample.
Mark materials and trims with an explicit status such as confirmed, proposed or supplier recommendation needed. An empty cell is not permission to substitute. Keep a quantity sheet (style, color, size) with the same revision so packing and inspection use the same breakdown the quote assumed.
Send these details together
- Confirm that the style code, fit direction, base sample size, colorways, and drawing callouts agree across the pack. Identify open questions and assign who must resolve them before sampling starts.
- Check every critical POM for measurement method, units, tolerance, and grading. Make sure the factory knows whether inspection measurements apply before or after the specified washing or finishing process.
- Verify that shell fabrics, secondary fabrics, trims, labels, and decoration have sufficient specifications and approval references. Require approval for substitutions rather than allowing visually similar materials to pass without review.
- Include folding, individual packing, barcode responsibilities, assortment, and carton marking requirements in the production scope. Confirm the MOQ of 100 pcs and discuss the proposed size and color allocation.
- Release a dated revision with consolidated sample comments and explicit approval status. Plan approximately 7 days for samples after brief and materials confirmation, and obtain a quantity-dependent bulk schedule separately.
- Identified front, back and detail drawings with a current version date
- Material and trim list with decision status on every line
- Quantity sheet and change log acknowledged by the factory before sampling
This educational buying resource covers writing a clothing tech pack for China menswear OEM inquiries, sampling, and production handoff. It is not a template download, legal compliance determination, laboratory report, or certification guarantee. Reprint permission: You may reprint this article with attribution to clothingmanufacturerchina.com and sales@clothingmanufacturerchina.com.
Prepare a quote briefThe RFQ form prepares a WhatsApp message for you to review. For files, email sales@clothingmanufacturerchina.com.
Questions before sampling
What should a clothing tech pack include before I request a factory sample?
Include a style overview, front and back technical drawings, critical detail views, a base-size POM chart, fabric and GSM specifications, construction instructions, trims and labels, decoration artwork and placements, and a revision identifier. State the planned size range and identify any grading or packing details still awaiting confirmation. A factory can review a draft, but unresolved decisions should be visible rather than hidden in vague language. Samples take approximately 7 days once the brief and materials are confirmed.
Can a reference sample replace an apparel tech pack?
A reference sample can communicate hand feel, silhouette, and construction effectively, but it does not reliably record all production requirements. It may not explain measurement tolerances, size grading, exact material composition, artwork files, labeling, or packing. Use it alongside written specifications and state which features it represents. When the sample and document disagree, resolve the conflict explicitly and record the decision in the next revision. Do not ask the factory to infer which source should control the finished garment.
How do MOQ and lead times affect tech pack preparation?
Prepare the core specifications before requesting a firm production plan so the factory can review feasibility and material availability. MOQ is 100 pcs, and buyers should confirm how their style, color, and size allocation fits that minimum. Sample timing is approximately 7 days once the brief and materials are confirmed. Bulk timing depends on quantity, with the actual schedule also requiring confirmation of materials, approvals, and production arrangements. Keep requested delivery dates separate from factory-confirmed dates, and reassess timing when specifications change.
What are your MOQ, sample time and bulk lead time?
MOQ is 100 pcs. Samples take 7 days. Bulk production lead time depends on order quantity.