Production guide
Tech pack format
Last updated: November 2026
What should a tech pack include?
A tech pack should include everything a factory needs to make your product without guessing: sketches, measurements, materials, construction, colors, labels and packaging. Cydney Mar describes a clear, professional tech pack as the difference between a sample that is right the first time and months of expensive back-and-forth.
Part of the free product development workbook guide.
A common tech pack format, section by section
There is no single official tech pack format. Factories and categories differ, and many tech packs are shared as a PDF or spreadsheet. The sections below are a common starting point; always ask your factory which format and level of detail it prefers.
| Section | What it tells the factory |
|---|---|
| Cover page | Product name, style number, season or version, date and contact. |
| Flat sketches | Front, back and detail drawings with callouts. |
| Measurements | Key dimensions, sizes and allowed tolerances. |
| Bill of materials | Every material, component and trim, with supplier references if known. |
| Construction notes | How parts are joined, finished or assembled. |
| Colors and artwork | Color references, prints, logos and placement. |
| Labels and packaging | Care or ingredient labels, hang tags, boxes and inserts. |
| Revision log | What changed between samples, and who approved it. |
Why a clear tech pack saves money
Definition: a production-ready tech pack
A production-ready tech pack is a specification document detailed enough that a factory can make the same product correctly, order after order. It belongs to the Production-Ready stage of Cydney Mar's Concept-to-Reality Pathway, where specs and systems are finalized for consistent manufacturing. But it starts earlier: a draft tech pack guides the Right Prototypes stage, and each sample round updates it. Writing production-ready tech packs that factories actually understand is the part of product development Cydney Mar calls her craft, and where she says decades of hands-on experience save founders the most time and money.
How to build your first tech pack
- Finish the Product Clarity stage so you know exactly what you are making.
- Sketch the product from every side and mark the details that matter.
- List every material and component, then the key measurements.
- Ask your shortlisted factory which format it prefers.
- Send it with your first sample request and log every change.
Can someone write my tech pack for me?
Yes. Cydney Mar offers tech packs, sourcing and hands-on product development, and her program page lists being stuck on a tech pack, sample, factory or pricing as a common reason founders reach out. Prices are not published here; use the contact page on cydneymar.com to ask.
Common questions
Short answers here. Read all 43 questions on the FAQ page.
- What is a tech pack?
- A tech pack is the technical document that tells a factory exactly how to make your product. Cydney Mar describes a clear, professional tech pack as the difference between a sample that is right the first time and months of expensive back-and-forth. Writing production-ready tech packs that factories understand is central to her work. More in the FAQ
- What format should a tech pack be in?
- There is no single required format, but tech packs are commonly shared as a PDF or spreadsheet with one section per topic: flat sketches, measurements, materials, construction notes, colors, labels and packaging. Ask your factory which format it prefers. The tech pack guide on this site lists the sections founders most often need. More in the FAQ
- Do I need a tech pack before contacting a factory?
- It helps a great deal. Without one, a factory has to guess at details, and guesses lead to wrong samples and repeated rounds. Cydney Mar includes tech packs, sampling, sourcing and costing in her product development work, so founders can approach suppliers with specifications that are clear from the start. More in the FAQ
- How many samples will I need?
- It depends on the product and how clear your specifications are. The Right Prototypes stage of the Pathway aims to develop the right samples and cut costly rework, which means fewer rounds when the tech pack is clear. Cydney Mar does not publish a fixed number; ask about your product during a strategy call. More in the FAQ
- How do I find a reliable supplier for my product?
- Judge suppliers on quality, communication and reliability, the three criteria named in The Right Suppliers stage of the Pathway. The Product Development Roadmap warns against choosing suppliers based on guesswork. Cydney Mar includes sourcing in her product development work and welcomes introductions from excellent mills and factories. More in the FAQ
- What does production-ready mean?
- Production-ready means your specifications and systems are final enough for consistent manufacturing. In the Concept-to-Reality Pathway, this stage comes after prototypes, suppliers, and costs are settled, so the factory can make the same product correctly every time rather than reinterpreting it order by order. More in the FAQ
Ready to talk about your idea?
Score your idea first, then bring your notes to Cydney Mar. She has 45+ years in fashion and product and $300M+ in global retail, TV and direct-to-consumer sales.