A tech pack is the single document that decides whether your activewear sample comes back right the first time or burns a month in revisions. Factories do not guess well. This checklist covers what a complete activewear tech pack contains, written from the manufacturer’s side of the table.
What a tech pack is — and what it is not
A tech pack is the technical specification of one style: flat sketches, measurements, materials, construction and finishing. It is not a mood board. Inspiration images help, but they supplement the spec — they never replace it. If you do not have a tech pack yet, a development partner can build one with you from a reference garment or detailed brief; that is part of our development process.
The checklist
1. Style summary
- Style name and number, season, date and revision number — factories work from the latest revision, so version control matters.
- Product description in one sentence: “high-rise 7/8 legging with gusset and back waistband pocket.”
- Size range and the base size you want sampled.
2. Flat sketches
- Front and back technical flats, plus side view when seams run there.
- Call-outs pointing to every seam, topstitch, pocket, panel and trim.
- Close-up details for anything structural: bra cradle, strap joins, waistband construction.
3. Points of measure
The measurement chart is where most first samples fail. Include: every point of measure with a diagram showing exactly where the tape runs, the measurement for the base size, grading rules or a full size chart, and tolerances (±1 cm is typical for stretch garments, tighter on bras). For compression products, state whether measurements are relaxed or extended.
4. Bill of materials
- Main fabric: composition, weight (gsm), stretch direction, and the hand feel you expect. Name a reference fabric if you have one.
- Secondary fabrics: lining, mesh, power mesh, gusset.
- Elastics by placement and width; bra components (pads, underband elastic, hook-and-eye, sliders).
- Thread, labels, hangtags, packing materials.
5. Construction and stitching
- Seam types by location: flatlock, coverstitch, overlock, bonded.
- Stitches per inch where it matters.
- Hem finishes, waistband construction (layers, elastic, drawcord), gusset construction.
6. Branding and finishing
- Logo applications: placement, size, method (heat transfer, silicone, embroidery) with artwork files.
- Care label content and placement; fibre content must match the bill of materials.
- Folding and packing instructions, polybag and carton markings.
7. Colourways
Each colourway listed with Pantone TCX references per component — body, lining, elastic, thread, trims. On small runs using in-stock fabric, specify the stock colour codes instead; see how that works in our guide to low-MOQ activewear production.
Common tech pack mistakes we see
- Measurements copied from another brand’s size chart without checking them against the actual pattern — charts describe finished garments, not bodies.
- No tolerance column. Without tolerances, QC has no pass/fail line. Our quality control checks measure against the chart you approve.
- Fabric described only as “like Lululemon”. Name composition, weight and stretch — or send a physical swatch to match.
- Missing revision history. When the factory samples revision 2 and you review against revision 3, everyone loses a week.
Don’t have a tech pack yet?
That is normal for a first collection. We develop tech packs as part of product development — from your reference garments, sketches or a detailed brief — then pattern, sample and produce against them. Development starts from US$500 per style. Start a project and tell us what you are making.