How to Make a Tech Pack for Denim Jacket: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to make a tech pack for a denim jacket, step by step. Covers construction details, wash specs, hardware, and everything factories need.
How to Make a Tech Pack for a Denim Jacket
A tech pack for a denim jacket is a detailed technical document that communicates every construction requirement—fabric weight, wash treatment, hardware specs, stitching details, and measurements—to your manufacturer. Without one, factories will fill in the blanks themselves, and those blanks rarely get filled in the way you imagined.
What is a tech pack and why does it matter for denim?
A tech pack is a document—or set of documents—that replaces verbal briefs and back-and-forth emails with a single, unambiguous source of truth for production. For denim specifically, it matters more than most categories because denim manufacturing involves processes beyond standard cut-and-sew: enzyme washing, stone washing, sandblasting, overdyeing, and garment dyeing all change the final dimensions and colour of the garment.
A factory producing a jersey T-shirt has a relatively predictable output. A factory producing a washed denim jacket needs to know your shrinkage tolerance, your target wash shade, and whether measurements are pre-wash or post-wash. Without that information documented, you will not get consistent results—even from the same factory on repeat orders.
What to include in a denim jacket tech pack
Step 1
Cover page and style information
Every tech pack starts with a cover page. It should contain:
Brand name
Style name and style number (e.g., "Classic Trucker Jacket – STY-001")
Season and year (e.g., SS27)
Designer or technical contact name
Date created and revision number
Prototype or sampling stage (Proto 1, SMS, etc.)
The style number is particularly important for denim. Most brands develop multiple washes of the same jacket—light, medium, dark, overdyed—and each wash should carry a distinct style or colourway code so factories don't confuse them.
Step 2
Technical flat sketches (front, back, and details)
Your tech pack needs clean, accurate flat sketches of the jacket—not fashion illustrations. For a denim jacket, you'll need a front view, back view, and detail callouts for areas like chest pocket flaps, waistband adjustment tabs, button placket construction, and collar facing.
Callout sketches are especially useful for chest pocket flaps, waistband adjustment tabs, and collar construction — areas where a single sketch can't capture all the intent.
Step 3
Fabric and material specifications
This is where denim tech packs diverge sharply from other garment categories. Shell fabric details to specify include:
Fabric content — e.g., 98% cotton, 2% elastane for stretch, or 100% cotton for rigid
Weight — measured in oz/sq yd. Classic trucker jackets typically use 11–14oz
Weave construction — typically 3×1 twill (right-hand or left-hand)
Selvedge or open-end — selvedge is more premium; open-end is more cost-effective at scale
Shrinkage allowance — specify acceptable percentage, or state whether measurements are pre- or post-wash
Thread should be specified separately for construction and topstitching. Denim jackets traditionally use contrasting gold/yellow thread—specify the exact Coats, Amann, or Gutermann reference if colour accuracy matters.
Step 4
Colourway and wash specifications
Wash specs are one of the most technically detailed sections in any denim tech pack, and also one of the most frequently underdeveloped by first-time founders. For each colourway, specify the base fabric shade, target wash shade, wash type (enzyme, stone, acid, bleach, garment dye, overdye, or raw/unwashed), and any whisker or fade placement via a placement diagram.
A dark indigo rinse and a medium stone wash may use the same base fabric but involve completely different factory processes. Treat each wash as its own colourway with its own spec.
Step 5
Hardware and trims specification
Denim jackets are hardware-heavy garments. A poorly specified button will look cheap regardless of how good the fabric is. Specify buttons (shank or sew-through, diameter, material, finish), rivets (placement, size, finish), zippers (brand, coil vs. metal, pull style), bartack locations, and all label placements and attachment methods.
Step 6
Construction and stitch details
This section tells the factory exactly how the jacket should be assembled. Key details to document:
Flat-felled seams on side and sleeve seams — specify stitch width
Stitches per inch (SPI) — 8–10 SPI for topstitching; 10–12 SPI for construction seams
Topstitching width — single needle (1/16") or double needle (3/8" apart)
Chain stitch vs. lock stitch — specify explicitly if you want the "roping" effect of a Union Special chain stitch
Pocket construction — depth, width, and whether the pocket bag is exposed or concealed
Step 7
Size chart and graded measurements
Your measurement chart is the single most critical page in the tech pack. For a denim jacket, measurements are almost always specified post-wash, unless you're producing raw/unwashed denim. Points of measure typically include chest width, waist width, bottom opening, shoulder width, front and back length, sleeve length, armhole depth, collar height, pocket dimensions, and button spacing.
Provide measurements for each size in your range and include grading increments. Standard woven grading for a unisex denim jacket is typically 1" per size across chest and body length.
Step 8
Fit notes and prototype comments
On the first tech pack (Proto 1), describe the intended fit in plain language. After receiving a physical sample, this section becomes your revision log. Keeping proto comments in the tech pack itself—rather than in email threads—means your factory has a single document that reflects the complete revision history.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tech pack for a denim jacket?
A tech pack is a technical document communicating all production requirements to a manufacturer—fabric weight, wash specs, hardware, construction methods, and graded measurements. It acts as the single source of truth between your design intent and what the factory produces.
Do I need wash specs in my tech pack?
Yes. They define the target shade, wash treatment type, and whether measurements are taken pre- or post-wash. Without them, factories will interpret the finish themselves and results will vary significantly between sampling rounds.
What fabric weight should I specify?
Most classic denim jackets use 11–14oz fabric. Lighter weights (9–10oz) suit women's or summer-specific styles. Anything below 9oz tends to lack the structure and durability associated with denim outerwear.
How many pages should a denim jacket tech pack be?
A complete tech pack is typically 12–20 pages, depending on the number of colourways and construction details. More complex styles with multiple washes or custom hardware will sit at the higher end.
Can I use the same tech pack for multiple denim washes?
You can use the same base tech pack, but each wash should be documented as a separate colourway with its own wash specification page. The construction details and measurements stay the same; what changes is the wash type, target shade, and any wash-specific detail placement.
How to Make a Tech Pack for Denim Jacket: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to make a tech pack for a denim jacket, step by step. Covers construction details, wash specs, hardware, and everything factories need.
How to Make a Tech Pack for a Denim Jacket
A tech pack for a denim jacket is a detailed technical document that communicates every construction requirement—fabric weight, wash treatment, hardware specs, stitching details, and measurements—to your manufacturer. Without one, factories will fill in the blanks themselves, and those blanks rarely get filled in the way you imagined.
What is a tech pack and why does it matter for denim?
A tech pack is a document—or set of documents—that replaces verbal briefs and back-and-forth emails with a single, unambiguous source of truth for production. For denim specifically, it matters more than most categories because denim manufacturing involves processes beyond standard cut-and-sew: enzyme washing, stone washing, sandblasting, overdyeing, and garment dyeing all change the final dimensions and colour of the garment.
A factory producing a jersey T-shirt has a relatively predictable output. A factory producing a washed denim jacket needs to know your shrinkage tolerance, your target wash shade, and whether measurements are pre-wash or post-wash. Without that information documented, you will not get consistent results—even from the same factory on repeat orders.
What to include in a denim jacket tech pack
Step 1
Cover page and style information
Every tech pack starts with a cover page. It should contain:
Brand name
Style name and style number (e.g., "Classic Trucker Jacket – STY-001")
Season and year (e.g., SS27)
Designer or technical contact name
Date created and revision number
Prototype or sampling stage (Proto 1, SMS, etc.)
The style number is particularly important for denim. Most brands develop multiple washes of the same jacket—light, medium, dark, overdyed—and each wash should carry a distinct style or colourway code so factories don't confuse them.
Step 2
Technical flat sketches (front, back, and details)
Your tech pack needs clean, accurate flat sketches of the jacket—not fashion illustrations. For a denim jacket, you'll need a front view, back view, and detail callouts for areas like chest pocket flaps, waistband adjustment tabs, button placket construction, and collar facing.
Callout sketches are especially useful for chest pocket flaps, waistband adjustment tabs, and collar construction — areas where a single sketch can't capture all the intent.
Step 3
Fabric and material specifications
This is where denim tech packs diverge sharply from other garment categories. Shell fabric details to specify include:
Fabric content — e.g., 98% cotton, 2% elastane for stretch, or 100% cotton for rigid
Weight — measured in oz/sq yd. Classic trucker jackets typically use 11–14oz
Weave construction — typically 3×1 twill (right-hand or left-hand)
Selvedge or open-end — selvedge is more premium; open-end is more cost-effective at scale
Shrinkage allowance — specify acceptable percentage, or state whether measurements are pre- or post-wash
Thread should be specified separately for construction and topstitching. Denim jackets traditionally use contrasting gold/yellow thread—specify the exact Coats, Amann, or Gutermann reference if colour accuracy matters.
Step 4
Colourway and wash specifications
Wash specs are one of the most technically detailed sections in any denim tech pack, and also one of the most frequently underdeveloped by first-time founders. For each colourway, specify the base fabric shade, target wash shade, wash type (enzyme, stone, acid, bleach, garment dye, overdye, or raw/unwashed), and any whisker or fade placement via a placement diagram.
A dark indigo rinse and a medium stone wash may use the same base fabric but involve completely different factory processes. Treat each wash as its own colourway with its own spec.
Step 5
Hardware and trims specification
Denim jackets are hardware-heavy garments. A poorly specified button will look cheap regardless of how good the fabric is. Specify buttons (shank or sew-through, diameter, material, finish), rivets (placement, size, finish), zippers (brand, coil vs. metal, pull style), bartack locations, and all label placements and attachment methods.
Step 6
Construction and stitch details
This section tells the factory exactly how the jacket should be assembled. Key details to document:
Flat-felled seams on side and sleeve seams — specify stitch width
Stitches per inch (SPI) — 8–10 SPI for topstitching; 10–12 SPI for construction seams
Topstitching width — single needle (1/16") or double needle (3/8" apart)
Chain stitch vs. lock stitch — specify explicitly if you want the "roping" effect of a Union Special chain stitch
Pocket construction — depth, width, and whether the pocket bag is exposed or concealed
Step 7
Size chart and graded measurements
Your measurement chart is the single most critical page in the tech pack. For a denim jacket, measurements are almost always specified post-wash, unless you're producing raw/unwashed denim. Points of measure typically include chest width, waist width, bottom opening, shoulder width, front and back length, sleeve length, armhole depth, collar height, pocket dimensions, and button spacing.
Provide measurements for each size in your range and include grading increments. Standard woven grading for a unisex denim jacket is typically 1" per size across chest and body length.
Step 8
Fit notes and prototype comments
On the first tech pack (Proto 1), describe the intended fit in plain language. After receiving a physical sample, this section becomes your revision log. Keeping proto comments in the tech pack itself—rather than in email threads—means your factory has a single document that reflects the complete revision history.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tech pack for a denim jacket?
A tech pack is a technical document communicating all production requirements to a manufacturer—fabric weight, wash specs, hardware, construction methods, and graded measurements. It acts as the single source of truth between your design intent and what the factory produces.
Do I need wash specs in my tech pack?
Yes. They define the target shade, wash treatment type, and whether measurements are taken pre- or post-wash. Without them, factories will interpret the finish themselves and results will vary significantly between sampling rounds.
What fabric weight should I specify?
Most classic denim jackets use 11–14oz fabric. Lighter weights (9–10oz) suit women's or summer-specific styles. Anything below 9oz tends to lack the structure and durability associated with denim outerwear.
How many pages should a denim jacket tech pack be?
A complete tech pack is typically 12–20 pages, depending on the number of colourways and construction details. More complex styles with multiple washes or custom hardware will sit at the higher end.
Can I use the same tech pack for multiple denim washes?
You can use the same base tech pack, but each wash should be documented as a separate colourway with its own wash specification page. The construction details and measurements stay the same; what changes is the wash type, target shade, and any wash-specific detail placement.
How to Make a Tech Pack for Denim Jacket: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to make a tech pack for a denim jacket, step by step. Covers construction details, wash specs, hardware, and everything factories need.
How to Make a Tech Pack for a Denim Jacket
A tech pack for a denim jacket is a detailed technical document that communicates every construction requirement—fabric weight, wash treatment, hardware specs, stitching details, and measurements—to your manufacturer. Without one, factories will fill in the blanks themselves, and those blanks rarely get filled in the way you imagined.
What is a tech pack and why does it matter for denim?
A tech pack is a document—or set of documents—that replaces verbal briefs and back-and-forth emails with a single, unambiguous source of truth for production. For denim specifically, it matters more than most categories because denim manufacturing involves processes beyond standard cut-and-sew: enzyme washing, stone washing, sandblasting, overdyeing, and garment dyeing all change the final dimensions and colour of the garment.
A factory producing a jersey T-shirt has a relatively predictable output. A factory producing a washed denim jacket needs to know your shrinkage tolerance, your target wash shade, and whether measurements are pre-wash or post-wash. Without that information documented, you will not get consistent results—even from the same factory on repeat orders.
What to include in a denim jacket tech pack
Step 1
Cover page and style information
Every tech pack starts with a cover page. It should contain:
Brand name
Style name and style number (e.g., "Classic Trucker Jacket – STY-001")
Season and year (e.g., SS27)
Designer or technical contact name
Date created and revision number
Prototype or sampling stage (Proto 1, SMS, etc.)
The style number is particularly important for denim. Most brands develop multiple washes of the same jacket—light, medium, dark, overdyed—and each wash should carry a distinct style or colourway code so factories don't confuse them.
Step 2
Technical flat sketches (front, back, and details)
Your tech pack needs clean, accurate flat sketches of the jacket—not fashion illustrations. For a denim jacket, you'll need a front view, back view, and detail callouts for areas like chest pocket flaps, waistband adjustment tabs, button placket construction, and collar facing.
Callout sketches are especially useful for chest pocket flaps, waistband adjustment tabs, and collar construction — areas where a single sketch can't capture all the intent.
Step 3
Fabric and material specifications
This is where denim tech packs diverge sharply from other garment categories. Shell fabric details to specify include:
Fabric content — e.g., 98% cotton, 2% elastane for stretch, or 100% cotton for rigid
Weight — measured in oz/sq yd. Classic trucker jackets typically use 11–14oz
Weave construction — typically 3×1 twill (right-hand or left-hand)
Selvedge or open-end — selvedge is more premium; open-end is more cost-effective at scale
Shrinkage allowance — specify acceptable percentage, or state whether measurements are pre- or post-wash
Thread should be specified separately for construction and topstitching. Denim jackets traditionally use contrasting gold/yellow thread—specify the exact Coats, Amann, or Gutermann reference if colour accuracy matters.
Step 4
Colourway and wash specifications
Wash specs are one of the most technically detailed sections in any denim tech pack, and also one of the most frequently underdeveloped by first-time founders. For each colourway, specify the base fabric shade, target wash shade, wash type (enzyme, stone, acid, bleach, garment dye, overdye, or raw/unwashed), and any whisker or fade placement via a placement diagram.
A dark indigo rinse and a medium stone wash may use the same base fabric but involve completely different factory processes. Treat each wash as its own colourway with its own spec.
Step 5
Hardware and trims specification
Denim jackets are hardware-heavy garments. A poorly specified button will look cheap regardless of how good the fabric is. Specify buttons (shank or sew-through, diameter, material, finish), rivets (placement, size, finish), zippers (brand, coil vs. metal, pull style), bartack locations, and all label placements and attachment methods.
Step 6
Construction and stitch details
This section tells the factory exactly how the jacket should be assembled. Key details to document:
Flat-felled seams on side and sleeve seams — specify stitch width
Stitches per inch (SPI) — 8–10 SPI for topstitching; 10–12 SPI for construction seams
Topstitching width — single needle (1/16") or double needle (3/8" apart)
Chain stitch vs. lock stitch — specify explicitly if you want the "roping" effect of a Union Special chain stitch
Pocket construction — depth, width, and whether the pocket bag is exposed or concealed
Step 7
Size chart and graded measurements
Your measurement chart is the single most critical page in the tech pack. For a denim jacket, measurements are almost always specified post-wash, unless you're producing raw/unwashed denim. Points of measure typically include chest width, waist width, bottom opening, shoulder width, front and back length, sleeve length, armhole depth, collar height, pocket dimensions, and button spacing.
Provide measurements for each size in your range and include grading increments. Standard woven grading for a unisex denim jacket is typically 1" per size across chest and body length.
Step 8
Fit notes and prototype comments
On the first tech pack (Proto 1), describe the intended fit in plain language. After receiving a physical sample, this section becomes your revision log. Keeping proto comments in the tech pack itself—rather than in email threads—means your factory has a single document that reflects the complete revision history.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tech pack for a denim jacket?
A tech pack is a technical document communicating all production requirements to a manufacturer—fabric weight, wash specs, hardware, construction methods, and graded measurements. It acts as the single source of truth between your design intent and what the factory produces.
Do I need wash specs in my tech pack?
Yes. They define the target shade, wash treatment type, and whether measurements are taken pre- or post-wash. Without them, factories will interpret the finish themselves and results will vary significantly between sampling rounds.
What fabric weight should I specify?
Most classic denim jackets use 11–14oz fabric. Lighter weights (9–10oz) suit women's or summer-specific styles. Anything below 9oz tends to lack the structure and durability associated with denim outerwear.
How many pages should a denim jacket tech pack be?
A complete tech pack is typically 12–20 pages, depending on the number of colourways and construction details. More complex styles with multiple washes or custom hardware will sit at the higher end.
Can I use the same tech pack for multiple denim washes?
You can use the same base tech pack, but each wash should be documented as a separate colourway with its own wash specification page. The construction details and measurements stay the same; what changes is the wash type, target shade, and any wash-specific detail placement.