A tech pack for custom T-shirts is the document that tells a garment maker exactly what to build: the fit, the measurements, the fabric, the trims, where the logo goes and how the shirt is labelled and packed. If you are ordering private label or branded T-shirts from Vietnam, a clear tech pack is the single biggest factor in getting a first sample that matches what you had in mind, and in keeping bulk production consistent with that sample.
You do not need fashion-school drawings to write one. Below is the practical version we walk new buyers through before we brief our partner sewing workshops: what to include, what can wait, and the mistakes that most often cost an extra sampling round.
What is a tech pack for custom T-shirts?
A tech pack (short for technical package) is a set of pages, usually a PDF or a spreadsheet, that describes a garment so precisely that two different workshops could make the same shirt from it. For a T-shirt it is shorter than for a jacket or a tailored shirt, but it still answers the same questions: what shape, what size range, what fabric, what decoration, what labels, what packaging.
Think of it as the brief that travels with your order. Your sales contact reads it, the pattern maker reads it, the cutting and sewing team read it, and the quality inspector checks finished shirts against it. Anything that lives only in an email thread or a phone call is easy to lose along that chain.
Do you need a tech pack for a small order?
Yes, though it can be lighter. Small orders are welcome with the vetted garment manufacturers we work with in Vietnam, and many first-time brands start with a one or two page brief plus a reference shirt they already like. What matters is that the key decisions are written down. A short, clear tech pack is far more useful than a long one full of blanks.
If you are launching your first collection, our guide on launching a private label clothing line explains how the tech pack fits into the wider first-drop plan.
What to include in a T-shirt tech pack
Here is the checklist we use. The first column is the section, the second is what to put in it, and the third shows whether you need it for the first sample or can confirm it later.
| Section | What to include | Needed by |
|---|---|---|
| Flat sketch | Front and back line drawing, neckline, sleeve, hem and detail callouts | First sample |
| Measurement chart | Points of measure for the base size, grading for other sizes, tolerances | First sample |
| Fabric | Composition, knit type, preferred hand feel, finish (e.g. enzyme wash) | First sample |
| Colour | Physical swatch or standard colour code, lab dip if critical | First sample |
| Decoration | Vector artwork, method, size, placement from a fixed point, ink or thread colours | First sample |
| Construction | Seam types, neck rib, shoulder tape, hem stitch, thread colour | First sample |
| Labels and trims | Neck label type, care and content label, hang tag, size stickers | Pre-production sample |
| Packaging | Fold method, polybag, carton marks, size and colour breakdown per carton | Before bulk |
| Order breakdown | Quantities by size and colour | Quotation and bulk |
1. Flat sketch: front, back and details
A simple line drawing of the front and back is enough. Mark the neckline (crew or V-neck), sleeve type (set-in or raglan), sleeve length, hem style and any pocket. Add close-up callouts for anything unusual, such as a split side hem, a longer back panel or a contrast neck rib. Free vector templates or a clear photo of a reference shirt with notes drawn on it both work.
2. Measurement chart and size range
This is where most first samples go wrong. List each point of measure (body length from high point shoulder, chest width one inch below the armhole, shoulder width, sleeve length, sleeve opening, neck width, neck rib depth, hem width) for your base size, then the grading for the other sizes. Add a tolerance column so everyone knows how much variation is acceptable.
If you do not have a size chart yet, send a reference T-shirt whose fit you like. The pattern maker can measure it and propose a chart for you to approve. Just make clear whether you want to copy the fit exactly or adjust it, for example a slightly longer body or a boxier silhouette.
3. Fabric and colour
Describe the fabric in plain terms: 100% cotton jersey, CVC (cotton-rich blend), or a cooler performance knit for active or event use. Say how you want it to feel (soft and drapey, or firmer and more structured) and whether you prefer combed or ring-spun yarn if you know. Final fabric weight is agreed at the quotation stage against the swatches on offer, so it is fine to describe the hand feel rather than quote a number.
For colour, give a reference the workshop can match, such as a physical swatch you post, or a standard colour code from a widely used colour system. Screen colours vary too much to be a reliable reference on their own. Ask for a lab dip if colour accuracy is critical to your brand.
4. Decoration: print or embroidery
For every logo or graphic, give the artwork file (vector AI, EPS, PDF or SVG where possible), the method, the size in centimetres or inches, and the placement measured from a fixed point such as “8 cm below the neck seam, centred”. List ink or thread colours. If you are still choosing between methods, our comparison of screen printing vs embroidery covers which suits which artwork and fabric.
5. Labels, trims and packaging
Private label lives here. Specify the neck label (woven, printed or heat-transfer tagless), the care and content label and where it is sewn, the hang tag and how it is attached, and how each shirt is folded and bagged. Note any barcode or size sticker requirements from your retailer or marketplace, because these are easy to forget and slow to fix after packing.
How the tech pack moves through sampling
Once the tech pack is shared, the process usually runs in this order: the workshop reviews it and lists any questions, a pattern is made, a first sample (sometimes called a proto or fit sample) is sewn, you review fit and details, comments are added to the tech pack, and a pre-production sample is made for final approval. Bulk production then follows that approved sample and the updated tech pack.
Two habits keep this loop short. First, keep one master file and add a revision date every time you change it, so nobody works from an old version. Second, write sample comments against the points of measure in the chart, for example “body length +2 cm on all sizes”, rather than general notes like “a bit short”.
Common tech pack mistakes that delay T-shirt orders
- Measuring a reference shirt laid flat but not saying so, which leaves the workshop guessing whether chest width is half or full circumference.
- Leaving the neck rib, shoulder tape or side seam construction undefined, then being surprised by the sample.
- Sending a low-resolution JPG for print artwork instead of a vector file.
- Giving logo placement as “on the chest” without a measurement from a fixed point.
- Forgetting care label content and country-of-origin marking required in your destination market.
- Changing the brief by email after sampling starts without updating the tech pack itself.
Can the same tech pack work for polo shirts and hoodies?
The structure is the same, but the detail grows. A polo needs collar, placket, button and side vent specifications on top of everything above; a hoodie or sweatshirt adds hood construction, drawcord, rib cuffs and hem, kangaroo pocket and fleece or French terry choice. If you plan a wider range, set up one template and reuse it across the custom garment range, so your size grading and label rules stay consistent between styles.
For T-shirt specific options such as necklines, fits and fabrics we can source, see our custom T-shirts page.
What we check before briefing our partner workshops
When a buyer sends a tech pack, we read it with the workshop’s questions in mind before passing it on. We confirm that every point of measure has a value and a tolerance, that artwork files open and are to scale, that fabric and colour references are physically available, and that labelling meets the rules of the market you are shipping to. Anything missing goes back to you as a short list, so the first sample is built on decisions rather than assumptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a T-shirt tech pack be?
For a basic T-shirt, two to five pages is usually enough: a sketch page, a measurement chart, a materials and decoration page, and a labels and packaging page. Length is less important than completeness. Every point of measure, artwork placement and label should be defined.
Can I send a sample shirt instead of a tech pack?
A reference shirt is a very useful starting point, and the pattern maker can measure it for you. You should still write down what to keep and what to change, plus your fabric, decoration and label choices, so the brief does not rely on memory.
Who owns the tech pack and the pattern?
The tech pack you write is your document. Confirm in writing how your designs, artwork and patterns will be handled before sampling, and keep your own master copy of every revision.
Do I need a different tech pack for each colour?
Usually not. One tech pack can cover several colourways if you add a colour table showing body colour, rib colour, print or thread colours and label colour for each one.
What happens if the sample does not match my tech pack?
Mark the differences against the measurement chart and detail pages, share photos, and request a revised sample. Updating the tech pack at the same time makes sure bulk production follows the corrected version.
Ready to brief your custom T-shirt order?
Send us your tech pack, a reference shirt photo or even a rough brief, and we will review it, list any gaps and come back with options from our partner sewing workshops in Vietnam. Start through our Request a Quote page and we will reply within one business day.