The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Tech Packs, CADs & Spec Sheets

So, you’ve nailed down your designs. You know exactly what you want to bring to life, and you’re ready to start working with a manufacturer. But how do you translate those beautiful ideas into a language the factory can understand? That’s where tech packs, CAD drawings, and specification sheets come in.
At Melbourne Fashion Lab, we specialise in providing editable digital resources like tech packs and CADs that empower you to confidently communicate your vision to patternmakers and manufacturers. Whether you're working with your own tech pack or choosing one of our pre-made, professionally designed templates, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

What is a Tech Pack?A tech pack (short for "technical package") is a blueprint of your garment. It includes everything a manufacturer needs to produce your product correctly, from design features to measurements and materials. Think of it as your garment’s bible.
A complete tech pack includes:

• CAD/technical drawings (front, back, and detail views)
  
• A detailed description of the garment
  
• Fabric and trim details
  
• Construction methods
  
• Size specifications and measurement charts
  
• Artwork placement and color details
  
• Labels, tags, and packaging requirements
  

The more detailed your tech pack, the better the outcome. A great tech pack reduces sampling errors, speeds up production timelines, and ensures consistency across production runs.

What are CAD Drawings?CADs (Computer-Aided Designs) or technical drawings are clean, flat line drawings of your garment. These show the design from the front and back, and often include zoomed-in views of important features like:

• Stitching and seams
  
• Pockets and flaps
  
• Button placements
  
• Zippers, hooks, or straps
  
• Any unique or functional elements
  

These drawings provide a visual reference that removes any ambiguity for the manufacturer. Even if you're not a fashion illustrator, we can help turn your ideas (or reference photos) into professional CADs.

What is a Specification Sheet?A specification sheet, or spec sheet, is a document that outlines the technical specifications of the garment—like measurements and materials. It’s often included as part of a tech pack, but it can also be purchased separately, especially if you're working with a patternmaker before approaching a manufacturer.
Your spec sheet usually includes:

• CAD drawings with callouts
  
• Point of measurement diagram
  
• A measurement table (sample size and size range)
  
• Tolerance (acceptable variation during production)
  

What We Offer at Melbourne Fashion LabWe offer a range of digital fashion tools, including:

• Editable CAD Templates
  
• Complete Tech Pack Templates
  
• Custom CAD Drawing Services (you send the garment images and notes; we turn them into tech sketches)
  
• Specification Sheet Templates
  
• Design Guides and Checklists
  

Whether you’re starting from scratch or building off an existing file, we make it easy to create professional, production-ready documents.

Your Tech Pack Checklist: What You’ll NeedNot sure what to prepare? Here's a detailed checklist to help you get started. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything yet—we can guide you through the rest:
Brand & Garment Basics

• Your brand name
  
• Designer’s name
  
• Garment name and short description
  
• Style number and sample size
  
• Season and tech pack creation date
  

Design & Fabric

• Technical description of main fabric (e.g., cotton twill, stretch mesh)
  
• Sample fabric swatch image or visual reference
  
• Pantone color codes for fabric, lining, trims, etc.
  

Construction Details

• CAD drawings with special callouts (e.g., secret pockets, waterproof seams)
  
• Stitch type, width, seam orientation, and seam allowance
  
• Labels and care instructions (wording, placement, material, dimensions)
  

Trims & Accessories

• Pictures and descriptions of buttons, zippers, labels, patches
  
• Accessories like hang tags, polybags, carton boxes
  
• Material and print quality preferences for packaging
  

Artwork & Printing

• Original artwork files for any fabric or label printing
  
• Artwork placement instructions (if applicable)
  

Measurements & Specs

• Measurements for at least one sample size
  
• Size range (e.g., XS-XL)
  
• Bill of materials (including item names, SKUs, suppliers, quantities)
  

Final ThoughtsTech packs might seem overwhelming at first, but they are one of the most powerful tools in your fashion business toolkit. They ensure that your designs are accurately interpreted, costed correctly, and brought to life the way you imagined.
With Melbourne Fashion Lab, you don’t have to do it alone. Explore our downloadable templates or reach out for custom CAD services—we’re here to support your design journey, step by step.
Visit melbournefashionlab.com.au to get started today.