Product identity
Brand, season, style name, style code, category, wearer, size range, revision number, date, and owner.
Buyer guide
Custom Sportswear Tech Pack Checklist
A useful tech pack turns design intent into measurable instructions for costing, sampling, approval, bulk production, inspection, and packing.
Direct answer
What should a sportswear tech pack include?
A production-ready sportswear tech pack should identify the style, show front and back views, define materials and trims, provide points of measurement, explain construction, place artwork, specify colors, cover labels and packaging, and record tolerances, sample comments, and approval status. Every instruction should be specific enough for a supplier to quote or ask a focused question.
Physical specification
Materials, trims, measurements, tolerances, construction, stitching, fit intent, and performance details.
Brand specification
Color references, artwork files, logo placement, labels, hangtags, barcodes, and packaging.
Approval record
Sample stage, comments, old and new values, approved files, unresolved questions, and bulk sign-off.
Core sections
Seven parts of a practical sportswear tech pack
The exact page count is not important. What matters is that the files agree with each other and that the latest approved version can be identified immediately.
| Section | Information to include | What it prevents |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Style overview | Style code, description, technical front and back views, detail callouts, wearer, activity, fit target, and size range. | Different teams working from different reference products or unclear design intent. |
| 2. Bill of materials | Main fabric, lining, mesh, elastic, pads, zippers, drawcords, thread, labels, and each supplier or quality reference where known. | Costing one material while sampling or producing another. |
| 3. Measurements | Point-of-measure diagram, base-size values, grade rules or all-size chart, measurement method, tolerance, and fit reference. | Disputes caused by measuring the same garment from different points or under different conditions. |
| 4. Construction | Seam type, stitch type, seam allowance, hems, reinforcement, lining, pocket build, panel joins, edge finish, and special machinery. | Visually similar samples that perform or fit differently because hidden construction was assumed. |
| 5. Color and artwork | Color standard, print repeat, vector artwork, placement coordinates, finished dimensions, application method, and approved visual. | Logos or prints being scaled, recolored, mirrored, or placed from an informal screenshot. |
| 6. Labels and packing | Main label, size and care label, legal text, country requirements, hangtag, barcode, polybag, folding, SKU sticker, carton marks, and assortment rules. | Retail and shipment requirements being discovered after garments are finished. |
| 7. QC and revision | Critical checkpoints, test or inspection requirements, sample comments, revision history, approval status, approved sample reference, and bulk tolerance. | Old comments reappearing in later samples or unapproved changes entering production. |
Build order
Prepare the file so another team can execute it
Use a stable style code and keep the same naming system across the tech pack, artwork, sample label, purchase order, inspection report, and packing list.
Create the style identity
Assign one style code, product name, season, owner, revision, and date before attaching images or measurements.
Draw and annotate the product
Show front, back, internal, and enlarged detail views. Point each note to one exact panel, seam, trim, or placement.
Connect every component
Give each fabric and trim a code, description, color, placement, and approved source or reference where available.
Define how measurements are taken
Pair every point of measurement with a diagram and method. State whether the garment is relaxed, stretched, zipped, or laid flat.
Attach production artwork
Provide vector files separately and repeat the filename, finished dimensions, method, color, and placement in the tech pack.
Add commercial requirements
Include planned quantity, style-color-size ratio, target market, labels, packaging, barcode logic, and delivery destination.
Lock the approved revision
Consolidate sample comments, remove superseded files, record open issues, and issue one dated version for bulk approval.
No complete tech pack yet?
Start with a minimum viable product brief
A buyer can begin an ODM discussion without pretending the product is fully specified. Label the open decisions clearly and provide enough commercial context for the supplier to propose options.
- Send reference images with notes explaining what to keep, change, or avoid.
- Define the wearer, activity, fit direction, target market, product list, quantity plan, and launch priority.
- Attach logo files, brand colors, label and packaging expectations, delivery country, and any mandatory requirements.
- Ask the supplier to return a written material, construction, measurement, branding, and sample plan before development begins.
Version control
Turn sample feedback into production instructions
Comments such as "make it tighter" or "move the logo up" are difficult to audit. Record the location, current value, requested value, evidence, owner, and approval result.
| Field | Weak comment | Production-ready record |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement | Waist is too loose. | Base-size relaxed waistband at POM W01: sample measured [value]; revise approved specification to [value] with stated tolerance. |
| Artwork | Logo should be higher. | Move artwork A02 to the stated distance from the approved seam reference; keep finished width and color unchanged. |
| Material | Use a softer fabric. | Replace material code F01 with the approved swatch reference and record composition, weight, stretch direction, color, and performance notes. |
| Status | Looks good. | Approved for the named sample stage, subject to listed open items; approver, date, revision, and reference sample recorded. |
Preflight
Check the package before sending it for quotation
A short preflight catches conflicts that otherwise turn into supplier assumptions.
Match filenames and revisions
The tech pack, artwork, measurement chart, and packaging files should show the same style code and active revision.
Check units and scale
State millimeters, centimeters, or inches consistently and verify that artwork dimensions refer to finished output.
Resolve color conflicts
Confirm that sketches, material tables, artwork files, labels, and packaging use the same color references.
Mark missing decisions
Use an open-issues list instead of leaving blank cells that could be interpreted as supplier choice.
Separate reference from instruction
Label inspiration images clearly and state which visible details are not part of the requested product.
Export a readable review copy
Keep editable source files, but send a stable PDF review version so page layout and annotations do not shift.
Continue planning
Related product development resources
FAQ
Sportswear tech pack questions
Can I get a quote without a complete tech pack?
Yes, but identify it as a development brief. Send product references, target customer, quantity plan, market, fabric direction, logo files, size range, packaging needs, delivery country, and a list of details the supplier should propose.
Do I need vector logo files?
Vector files such as AI, EPS, SVG, or suitable production PDFs are preferred because they can be scaled accurately for transfers, embroidery, labels, print layouts, and packaging. Keep a visual preview alongside the source file.
Should packaging be included in the tech pack?
Yes. Folding, polybags, labels, barcodes, SKU stickers, inserts, boxes, carton assortment, and shipping marks affect costing, preparation, inspection, and order handoff.
Can tech pack details change after sampling?
Yes. Sampling is used to test and refine the specification. Every approved change should update the relevant table, drawing, measurement, artwork, and revision record before bulk production.