What to Put in a Tech Pack Before You Request a Manufacturing Quote

What a tech pack is (and isn't)

A tech pack is a specification document, not a mood board. It tells a factory exactly what to build, so the sample matches what you had in mind on the first try instead of the third. It is not the same as a single reference photo -- that helps communicate a vibe, but a factory still needs specifics to build to spec.

The core sections a usable tech pack needs

• Flat sketches or CAD drawings (front and back) -- even a clear hand-drawn line drawing works.
• Measurement spec sheet -- point-of-measure details for every size, with tolerances.
• Fabric details -- fiber content, weight (GSM), and finish, or a reference garment/swatch.
• Trims and hardware -- zippers, drawcords, buttons, labels, with material and color for each.
• Construction and stitch details -- seam type, stitch density where it matters, reinforcement points.
• Print/embroidery placement and artwork -- vector files with placement measured from a fixed reference point.
• Color reference -- Pantone codes if available, otherwise a physical swatch rather than a screen color.

If you don't have a tech pack yet

Most manufacturers will work from a reference sample or a detailed design brief and build the tech pack with you as part of the sampling process -- it just adds a short review step before the first sample is cut. Say so upfront rather than sending an incomplete pack and hoping the gaps go unnoticed.

Why this speeds up your quote, not just your sample

Fabric, trims, and print method are the three biggest cost drivers in an FOB price. A manufacturer quoting off a reference photo alone has to guess at all three and will either quote conservatively high to cover the risk, or quote low and revise later. A complete tech pack gets you one accurate number instead of two.