Activewear Tech Pack Guide: What to Include (and How to Build One)
Short answer: A tech pack is the spec sheet a factory needs to make your garment exactly as you intend — it covers fabric, measurements (size chart), construction details, logo/branding placement, colorways and packaging. A complete tech pack means faster, more accurate samples and fewer costly mistakes. You don’t need one to start, though — at YOUMEGA we build the tech pack with you from a reference sample, sketch or photos.
Why a tech pack matters
Without a tech pack, a factory guesses — and guesses become wrong samples and wasted weeks. A clear tech pack removes ambiguity: everyone works from the same numbers, so your sample comes back closer to right the first time and your bulk matches your sample.
What to include in an activewear tech pack
1. Tech sketch / flat — front and back line drawings of the garment, with callouts pointing to seams, panels, waistbands, pockets and trims.
2. Fabric & trims — composition (e.g. four-way-stretch polyamide-elastane), weight (GSM), finish (squat-proof, moisture-wicking, recycled rPET/ECONYL), plus elastic, drawcords, zippers and labels.
3. Measurements / size chart — a points-of-measure (POM) table for each size (e.g. XS–XL), with tolerances. Note any graded sizes (plus-size, petite) and how to grade them.
4. Construction details — stitch types (e.g. flatlock), seam allowances, gusset and rise construction, binding, and any reinforcement. This is where fit and durability are won or lost.
5. Colorways — each color with a Pantone reference for lab-dip matching, plus which components are which color.
6. Logo & branding — placement, size and method (embroidery vs print), tagless heat-press interior labels (brand / size / fabric composition), and any woven labels.
7. Packaging — polybags, hangtags, folding, and branded mailers if retail-ready.
8. Quantity & grading — quantities per style/color/size and your target MOQ.
How to make a tech pack (3 routes)
- DIY — build it in a spreadsheet or design tool from a template (use the checklist above). Best if you have design experience.
- Hire a tech designer — a freelancer turns your sketches into a pro tech pack. Adds cost and time.
- Let the factory build it with you (fastest) — send a reference sample or clear photos and your logo; we develop the tech pack, source fabric and produce a sample for approval. This is how most first-time founders we work with start.
Common tech-pack mistakes
- Vague fabric specs (“soft stretchy material”) instead of composition + GSM.
- No size chart, or one size with “scale up/down” instead of a graded POM table.
- Logo placement described in words, not measured on the flat.
- No Pantone references for custom colors.
- Forgetting packaging until after bulk is made.
FAQ
Do I need a tech pack to get a sample?
No. Send a reference sample, sketches or photos plus your logo, and we’ll develop the tech pack with you before sampling.
What’s the most important part of an activewear tech pack?
Fabric spec (composition + GSM + finish), the measurement/size chart, and construction details — these drive fit, feel and durability.
Can you create the tech pack for me?
Yes — our development team builds the tech pack from your references and confirms it with you before we cut fabric.
How do I specify a custom color?
Give the Pantone code; we run a lab-dip for approval before bulk. Custom development is 300–500 pcs per style per color.
Send what you have
Reference sample, sketches or photos + your logo to [email protected] (or +86 156 0697 2725) — we’ll turn it into a tech pack, source fabric and quote a sample within 24 hours.
