A great design is only the first step. For many emerging designers, turning that vision into reality hinges on one crucial document: the tech pack.
Get it wrong, and you risk costly delays, production mistakes, and flawed samples that could derail your launch.
This guide will walk you through every step of creating a comprehensive and professional tech pack, ensuring a smooth, successful collaboration with your Cape Town-based CMT (Cut, Make, Trim) partner.
At GFS Fashion House, we’ve worked with countless tech packs from local and international clients, and we know exactly what makes a manufacturer say, “Yes, we can work with this!”
The Foundation – Technical Sketches & Bill of Materials (BOM)
Keywords: technical sketches, fashion flats, Bill of Materials, BOM, fabric sourcing, trims and embellishments
The first step to a successful tech pack is clear, accurate technical sketches — also known as fashion flats. These should be black-and-white line drawings showing both the front and back views of the garment.
Why black-and-white? It keeps the focus on construction details rather than colours, making it easier for pattern makers to interpret.
Bill of Materials (BOM) – This is your garment’s shopping list. Include:
- Fabric type and weight (e.g., 100% cotton, 200 GSM)
- Colour codes or Pantone references
- Trims and embellishments (zippers, buttons, lace, ribbons)
- Thread type and colour
- Any special finishes or treatments
💡 Related Resource: How to Choose the Right Fabric for Your Clothing Line
The Core – Measurement Specifications (Spec Sheet)
Keywords: garment measurement specs, size grading, allowable tolerance, fit model measurements
A spec sheet outlines exact garment measurements for every size you plan to produce. It’s one of the most critical parts of your tech pack — without it, you’re leaving fit up to guesswork.
Include:
- Points of measure (POM) diagrams
- Measurements for each size (XS, S, M, L, XL, etc.)
- Size grading rules for scaling measurements up or down
- Allowable tolerance (the acceptable variation in measurements during production)
- Fit model measurements for reference
💡 Related Service: Pattern Making & Grading Services
The Details – Construction & Sewing Instructions
Keywords: sewing instructions, stitching details, seam types, stitch density, label placement
This section tells the factory exactly how to assemble your garment. The more precise you are, the fewer production errors will occur.
Include:
- Stitch type (e.g., lockstitch, overlock, coverstitch)
- Seam types (e.g., French seam, flat-felled seam)
- Stitch density (e.g., 10–12 stitches per inch)
- Label placement diagrams for brand labels, size tags, and care labels
- Special techniques (e.g., pleats, gathers, embroidery)
💡 Learn More: Our Sewing & Finishing Techniques
The Final Touch – Branding & Packaging Details
Keywords: brand labels, care labels, hang tags, packaging requirements
A professional CMT factory in Cape Town won’t just make your garment — they can also prepare it for retail. Your tech pack should specify:
- Brand labels (woven, printed, or embroidered)
- Care labels (washing instructions, fabric composition)
- Hang tags (logo, barcode, price)
- Packaging requirements (folding style, polybags, branded boxes)
These small details ensure your products look polished and store-ready from day one.
Why Work with GFS Fashion House?
While this guide gives you the tools, creating the perfect tech pack can be time-consuming and complex — especially if you’re launching your first collection.
At GFS Fashion House, we:
- Have decades of experience interpreting and producing from tech packs
- Offer tech pack creation assistance from scratch
- Understand the Cape Town fashion industry’s unique requirements
- Guide you from your first sketch to the final product
Ready to bring your design to life?
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