Quick answer: A T-shirt tech pack is a document that tells the factory exactly how to make your product. For a T-shirt it needs 10 things: style name, fabric and GSM, colours, fit and size chart, construction details, print specs, labels, trims, packing and sample approval. One clear page with a flat sketch is enough for most Indian manufacturers; you do not need a 15-page designer file.
Most first-time founders brief a factory over WhatsApp with a Pinterest screenshot and "same like this, 240 GSM, black." Then the sample arrives with the wrong neck rib, a print 3 cm too low and labels in the wrong place, and the back-and-forth costs two weeks. A one-page tech pack fixes that.
Do you really need a tech pack for a T-shirt?
For a complex jacket, yes, a full professional tech pack is essential. For a T-shirt, hoodie or polo, a simple spec sheet covering the 10 sections below does the same job. It also becomes your reference when you reorder or switch factories, and it protects you if a batch comes out wrong.
The 10 sections of a T-shirt tech pack
1. Style information
Style name or code (for example OS-TEE-01), season or drop, date and version number. Increase the version every time something changes.
2. Fabric
- Composition: 100% combed cotton, or 60/40 cotton-poly.
- Knit: single jersey, French terry, fleece, piqué.
- GSM with tolerance: 240 GSM ±5%.
- Finish: bio-washed, compacted, garment-dyed.
- Shrinkage limit: under 5%.
3. Colours
Name each colour and give a reference: a Pantone TCX code if you have one, or a physical swatch. Screen colours lie; "navy" means different things to everyone.
4. Fit and size chart
Give a flat sketch (front and back) and a table of measurements for each size, with a tolerance, usually ±1 cm. Measure a T-shirt you love flat on a table if you are starting from scratch.
| Point of measure (cm) | S | M | L | XL | Tol. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Chest (1 cm below armhole, half) | 53 | 56 | 58.5 | 61 | ±1 |
| B. Body length (HPS to hem) | 70 | 72.5 | 75 | 77.5 | ±1 |
| C. Shoulder width | 54 | 56 | 58 | 60 | ±1 |
| D. Sleeve length | 21.5 | 23 | 24 | 25.5 | ±0.5 |
| E. Neck rib width | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ±0.2 |
Example oversized measurements. HPS means high point shoulder, where the shoulder meets the collar.
5. Construction
- Neck rib: 1×1 rib with lycra, 2.5 cm.
- Shoulder: taped or neck-to-shoulder tape for strength.
- Stitching: overlock seams, twin-needle (flatlock) hem and sleeve, stitches per inch if you have a preference.
- Side seams or tubular body.
6. Print or embroidery
For each artwork: method (screen, DTF, puff, embroidery), placement, size in cm, distance from a fixed point, and colours. For example: "Front logo, screen print, 2 colours (white, Pantone 186C), 25 cm wide, centred, 8 cm below neck rib on size M." Attach vector files (AI, PDF, SVG) for screen, puff and embroidery, and a 300 DPI PNG for DTF. If you are still choosing the method, read our print cost comparison.
7. Labels
- Main neck label: woven damask, 60 × 20 mm, end fold, centred in the back neck.
- Size label or printed size.
- Care label: fibre content and wash care, left side seam, 10 cm above hem.
Not sure which label to pick? See woven vs printed labels.
8. Trims and accessories
Swing tag, hanging loop, hem tag, branded tape, stickers. Note what you will supply and what the factory buys.
9. Packing
- Fold style and size (for example 25 × 30 cm folded).
- Individual polybag with size sticker.
- Pieces per carton, sorted by size and colour.
- Barcode or SKU sticker if you sell on marketplaces.
10. Sample and approval
Number of samples, the size to sample (usually M), and how you will approve: photos, physical sample or both. Write down that bulk starts only after written approval, and list what you will check. Our 11-point sample checklist covers that.
The copy-paste template
Copy this into Google Docs or Sheets and fill it in for each style:
| Style | Name / code / version / date |
| Fabric | Composition · knit · GSM ± tolerance · finish · max shrinkage |
| Colours | Name + Pantone / swatch for each |
| Quantities | Per colour, per size |
| Fit | Sketch + size chart + tolerance |
| Construction | Neck rib · shoulder tape · seams · hem |
| Artwork | Method · placement · size · position · colours · file |
| Labels | Neck · size · care, with position |
| Trims | Swing tag · loop · stickers · who supplies |
| Packing | Fold · polybag · sticker · carton |
| Sample | Size · quantity · approval method · deadline |
Common tech pack mistakes
- No tolerance. Without it, a 2 cm difference is "within spec" to the factory.
- One print size for all sizes. Give a smaller print size for S and XS.
- Colour by name only. Always add a code or swatch.
- No version number. You and the factory end up working from different files.
- Measurements in inches and cm mixed. Pick one.
Skip the paperwork for standard styles
If you order from our catalogue, the fabric, fit and construction are already specified. You only choose colours, sizes, print and label in the order builder, and we send you a proof to approve. Use a full tech pack when you want custom measurements or a style we do not list.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tech pack in clothing?
A document that tells a factory exactly how to make a garment: fabric, measurements, construction, print, labels, packing and approval steps.
Do I need a tech pack for T-shirts?
A simple one-page spec sheet is enough for T-shirts, hoodies and polos. It prevents sample errors and makes reorders consistent.
How much does a tech pack cost in India?
Freelancers typically charge a few thousand rupees per style. For a T-shirt you can fill in a one-page template yourself.
What should be in a T-shirt size chart?
Chest, body length, shoulder width, sleeve length and neck rib width for each size, with a tolerance of about ±1 cm.
What file format should I send for printing?
Vector files (AI, PDF or SVG) for screen, puff and embroidery, and a 300 DPI PNG at print size for DTF.