Pre-Production Guide
A direct answer: a tech pack is the production file used to quote, sample, source materials, check fit, and repeat bulk production accurately. Learn how to create one that factories actually want to read.
When approaching a clothing manufacturer, providing a few photos or a rough sketch is rarely enough for a reliable quote. You need a comprehensive document that acts as the single source of truth for your apparel design. This document is the tech pack.
A well-prepared tech pack translates your design intent into precise manufacturing instructions. It minimizes errors during sampling, prevents miscommunication on fabric specifications, and ensures bulk production matches your approved prototype.
A professional tech pack is divided into specific sections, each serving a distinct purpose for different departments in the factory (sourcing, pattern making, cutting, and sewing).
| Section | Information Needed | Factory Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Sketches | Front, back, and side vector drawings showing seams, darts, and hardware placement. | Visual reference for the pattern maker to understand the silhouette. |
| Bill of Materials (BOM) | Every physical component needed (fabric, lining, threads, buttons, zippers). | Essential for calculating raw material costs and ordering supplies. |
| Spec Sheet (Measurements) | Exact measurements for the base size (e.g., Medium) and tolerances. | Used to draft the initial pattern and verify the first sample's fit. |
| Grading Rules | How much each measurement increases or decreases for different sizes (S, M, L, XL). | Required for bulk production across all ordered sizes. |
| Construction Details | Stitch types, seam finishes (e.g., French seam, overlock), and hem details. | Dictates the machine setup and affects sewing labor costs. |
| Colorways & Artwork | Pantone references, print files (in vector format), and placement scales. | Needed for dyeing fabrics or setting up print screens. |
| Labels & Packaging | Neck labels, care labels, hangtags, polybags, and folding instructions. | Ensures the final product is retail-ready and legally compliant. |
Many beginners confuse these terms. It is important to know the difference so you communicate clearly with your supplier.
Can you get a quote with only photos or a mockup? Usually, yes, but it will be a rough estimate. For an accurate quote that a factory will commit to, you must provide:
The BOM is critical for the purchasing department. It should list every item needed to complete the garment. Do not assume the factory will "just know" what thread to use. Specify:
Your spec sheet must define Points of Measure (POM). For example, "Chest Width (1 inch below armhole)." Along with the exact measurement for your base size, you must include tolerances.
In garment manufacturing, fabrics stretch, shrink, and behave slightly differently during cutting and sewing. A tolerance is the acceptable margin of error (e.g., +/- 0.5 inches). If a finished garment falls outside this tolerance, it fails Quality Control (QC).
A useful measurement sheet tells the factory three things: where to measure, what value to hit, and how much variation is acceptable. For example, "chest width" should specify whether the garment is measured flat, how far below the armhole the tape is placed, and whether the tolerance changes by size. If the brand only writes "fits oversized" or "same as sample", the sewing line and final inspector have to guess. That guessing is one of the most common reasons samples feel acceptable but bulk production drifts.
The way a garment is sewn drastically affects its durability and price. A simple overlock stitch is fast and cheap, while a bound seam or French seam requires more labor and fabric, increasing the cost. Your tech pack should specify:
One of the most common surprises for startup brands is discovering that their desired fabric dictates the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). How does fabric MOQ affect garment MOQ?
A tech pack does not need to lock every material detail on day one, but it should state the target clearly enough for sourcing. If you are open to substitutions, define the acceptable range: "lightweight woven viscose look, soft drape, opaque enough for a blouse" is more useful than "nice fabric". If color is critical, include Pantone references, lab dip expectations, and whether shade bands are acceptable across production lots. If cost is more important than exact composition, say so early so the factory can suggest market fabrics rather than quoting an unrealistic custom mill order.
What label, care, and compliance information should you prepare? While your private label manufacturer will attach the labels, the buyer/importer remains responsible for destination-market labeling and compliance. Generally, you must include:
A good tech pack reduces the number of sample rounds. How do you prevent bulk production from differing from the approved sample? Follow a strict approval workflow:
| Sample Type | Purpose | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| First Proto (Prototype) | Check basic fit, drape, and design interpretation. | Review on a fit model, update spec sheet, add "Sample Comments" to tech pack. |
| Fit Sample / Revised Proto | Verify corrections made from the first proto. | Approve fit for base size, authorize size grading. |
| Pre-Production (PP) Sample | The exact replica of bulk production, using correct bulk fabrics and trims. | Crucial Step: Sign off and approve. Bulk production must match this exactly. |
| Top of Production (TOP) Sample | Pulled from the first batch off the sewing line. | Final check; useful for marketing photos while bulk finishes. |
Buyers often treat the tech pack as a design document, but a manufacturer reads it as a risk map. The first review usually separates fixed requirements from items that need clarification: fabric source, trims, construction, measurement tolerance, labeling, packing, and order quantity. If the document is complete, the factory can quote faster and identify which items influence MOQ. If the document is incomplete, the quote may include assumptions that later change the sample cost, lead time, or bulk unit price.
A good factory review should also flag conflicts. A delicate woven blouse with heavy embroidery, tight delivery timing, and a very low trial quantity may be possible only if the buyer accepts a higher sample cost or a more available fabric. A hoodie with custom rib, custom zipper, private label trims, and many colors may have a different MOQ from a basic T-shirt even if both are "tops". The tech pack helps both sides discuss those tradeoffs before money is committed.
Mostnica can work from a formal tech pack, a physical reference sample, or clear images plus a size chart, but the fastest path is always the clearest path. For OEM projects, the buyer should own the design direction and target market. For ODM showroom selection, the factory can help modify existing samples, suggest market fabrics, and build a production file from the selected style. In both cases, the approved PP sample and updated tech pack should become the shared reference for bulk production.
This guide is aligned with production-documentation patterns described by Techpacker, Sewport's tech pack guide, and BOM/spec-sheet distinctions explained by BOMME Studio. Labeling and compliance reminders are grounded in public guidance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Mostnica-specific workflow claims are limited to our own OEM/ODM, sampling, QC, and logistics boundaries.
Positioned as a practical Guangzhou OEM/ODM partner for affordable everyday apparel—especially fast-fashion womenswear, woven dresses, tops, pants, T-shirts, and hoodies—Mostnica Garment is ready to review clear production requests.
Before we review your project, we ask for:
Our capabilities: We translate your tech packs into sampling, coordinate fabric and trims sourcing, execute PP sample approvals, run inline checks, perform final AQL 2.5 inspections, and support repeatable bulk production. Trial orders are possible around 100 pcs/style when the style and materials support it, and stronger programs can scale into larger bulk runs after the product is proven.
For a first proto sample, you need flat sketches, basic measurements, and fabric guidelines. It does not need to be perfect, but it must communicate the general silhouette and construction intent.
Different factories might interpret your construction details differently, use varying fabric qualities, or have different overhead costs. A highly detailed tech pack minimizes these discrepancies by forcing factories to quote on the exact same specifications.
If you are unsure, send a physical reference sample to the factory. An experienced sourcing and production team like Mostnica can analyze the garment and suggest the appropriate materials and construction methods to match your desired outcome.
Send your tech pack or reference designs to Mostnica Garment. Our team will review your requirements and provide an accurate quote and timeline for sampling and bulk production.
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