A textile Tech Pack is the factory-facing specification document that converts a design brief into a manufacturable instruction — and the single variable most predictive of how many sampling rounds a product requires. A complete Tech Pack (cover page, BOM, graded measurement chart with per-point tolerances, ISO stitch codes, Pantone TCX colour references, AQL level, and care label content) typically achieves pre-production approval in two rounds; an underspecified brief commonly runs five or six, adding 4–8 weeks and significant cost to the development critical path. Phase 2 covers how to build that document correctly — including fabric specification (GSM ±5%, construction, finish), revision control, and the design-for-manufacture review that a sourcing partner performs before the Tech Pack is submitted to any factory.
What a Complete Tech Pack Contains
A Tech Pack is a technical document, not an artistic brief. Its function is to remove ambiguity — every construction detail, material specification and measurement is defined precisely enough that a factory can reproduce the product without guessing.
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Cover page | Style name, reference number, season, revision date, buyer contact |
| Design sketch | Front, back and detail views — line drawings, not mood board images |
| Bill of materials | Every fabric, trim, thread, interlining, label and accessory with specified quality |
| Construction details | Seam type, stitch type (ISO 4915 codes), stitch density, seam allowance |
| Size specification | Graded measurement chart for all sizes with tolerance (±cm per measurement) |
| Colour specification | Pantone TCX or CCI reference numbers; no verbal colour names |
| Artwork & placement | Position, size and production method for prints, embroideries, labels |
| Lab test requirements | Standard, tests required, pass limits, testing lab name or acceptable labs |
| Compliance notes | Care label format, country of origin statement, any market-specific regulatory requirements |
Material Specification: GSM, Construction and Finish
Fabric specification is the most consequential element of a Tech Pack for home textiles and most apparel. An imprecise specification allows factories to substitute materials, which changes the product's performance, hand-feel and retail price viability.
- GSM (grams per square metre): specify minimum and maximum, not just a target. A towel specified as '500 GSM' will be interpreted as 'around 480' — specify '500 GSM ±5%'.
- Yarn count and construction: for woven fabrics specify thread count, warp/weft counts and weave type; for knitted fabrics specify gauge, yarn count and loop length.
- Fibre content: state exact percentages. 60/40 cotton/polyester and 65/35 cotton/polyester have different performance, wash durability and feel.
- Dyeing method: reactive, pigment, vat or discharge — each has different fastness performance and cost implications.
- Finish: pre-shrunk, brushed, calendered, softener type — specify if required; assume nothing.
Construction Decisions and Their Cost Implications
Construction choices made at development stage directly determine factory complexity and unit cost. Buyers often make design decisions without realising the downstream manufacturing and cost impact.
- Seam type: a flatlock seam (ISO 406) costs more to sew than a plain seam but lies flat against the skin — important for activewear and base layers.
- Stitch density: 12 stitches per inch vs. 8 stitches per inch affects thread consumption, seam strength and production speed.
- Placket and collar types: attached collar requires a more skilled operator and a separate cutting operation; specify only when the product genuinely requires it.
- Embellishments: embroidery, woven labels and heat transfer prints all add to cost and typically require specialist machinery — flag these early so the factory can schedule the additional operations.
Revision Control
Every change to a Tech Pack after development has begun costs time and money. A professional development process includes version numbering (v1.0, v1.1, v2.0), a change log showing what changed and when, and written confirmation that the factory has received and accepted the latest version before proceeding. Without revision control, factories often work to an outdated specification and discover the discrepancy only at sample review.
When to Involve Your Sourcing Partner
Sourcing partners see hundreds of Tech Packs and know which specification gaps create the most sampling revisions. Sharing a draft Tech Pack before locking it allows a partner to flag ambiguities, suggest tested material alternatives and confirm that the specification is achievable at the target cost — avoiding a cycle of counter-specs at the sampling stage.
MZ Global Trading reviews Tech Packs before submitting to factories, flagging underspecified sections, out-of-tolerance ranges and material requirements that are unavailable at Pakistan factory level — turning a development brief into a manufacturable specification.
Define certification requirements in the Tech Pack at development stage — GOTS, OEKO-TEX and GRS compliance must be established before factory selection, not discovered at shipping. Submit your product requirements in the sourcing RFQ form to receive factory-matched proposals alongside a technical specification review.
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Disclaimer: This content is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal, customs or compliance advice. Always verify requirements against your buyer specification, applicable regulations and your destination market before making commercial decisions.