Custom Hat & Apparel Tech Pack Template: B2B Sourcing Guide
A tech pack is the single document that decides whether your custom headwear, jerseys and teamwear arrive exactly as approved — on time and on budget. This guide breaks down the standard B2B tech pack template used by OEM/ODM factories, the 7 components every supplier must receive before production, and the exact roster format to submit for team orders.
Built for: brand owners, team managers, club buyers, promotional distributors and sourcing agents placing custom headwear & apparel orders from 50 pcs upward.
Using this page: download the checklist, complete the template, then submit your design files or existing tech pack to our merchandising team for a free counter-sample and quotation within 24–48 hours.
Quick navigation: What is a tech pack · 7 essential components · Free checklist (table) · Team roster guidelines · Download & submit
Section 1: What is a Tech Pack & Why Factories Require It
Direct answer: A tech pack (also called a spec sheet, technical pack or 工艺单) is a standardized technical document that converts a design idea into measurable production instructions. It contains flat sketches, bill of materials, Pantone colors, measurement tolerances, decoration specs, labeling and packaging standards. Factories require it because it is the only way to price accurately, build a counter-sample that matches your intent, and repeat the same quality across multiple bulk runs and future reorders.
Why a factory cannot quote without a tech pack
- Accurate costing. Fabric type, GSM, trim counts, decoration method and packaging all drive unit cost. A sketch alone forces the factory to guess, and guesses are either over-priced (to protect margin) or under-priced (and renegotiated later).
- A repeatable reference. The tech pack is the arbitration document. During QC and final inspection, both buyer and factory measure against the same numbers.
- Sample efficiency. Complete specs typically reduce counter-sample rounds from 3–4 to 1–2, saving weeks of development time.
- Scale consistency. For hats and jerseys sold across seasons, the tech pack is what keeps a reorder in 2027 identical to the original run in 2026.
- Compliance & labeling. Fiber content, country of origin and care instructions are legal requirements in most markets; the tech pack is where they are defined.
Who is responsible for what
| Item | Buyer / Brand provides | Factory (JIUMU Gear) provides |
|---|---|---|
| Design intent | Logo files, layout, color direction | Flat sketch drafting & digitizing support |
| Materials | Preferred fabric, GSM, hand-feel reference | Mill options, swatch cards, GSM verification |
| Measurements | Target size chart or sample garment | Grading, tolerance table, fit sample |
| Decoration | Artwork, placement intent, stitch reference | Digitizing, 3D puff / appliqué engineering |
| Compliance | Market, labeling text, packaging rules | Care labels, hangtags, polybag & carton spec |
Section 2: 7 Essential Components of a Complete Headwear & Apparel Tech Pack
Every production-ready tech pack should answer seven questions. If a buyer can answer all seven, the factory can build a counter-sample without a single clarifying email.
1. Flat Technical Sketches (技术平铺图)
Line-art drawings of the product viewed flat — front, back, side and, for headwear, the sweatband and under-visor views. Each sketch is callout-numbered so that every detail (panel seams, eyelets, closure, taping, side vents) links to a line in the BOM.
- Headwear: front panel, side panel, back closure, sweatband, taping, eyelets, button, visor stitching rows.
- Jerseys/apparel: front, back, sleeve, collar, hem, side seam, insert panels.
- Format: vector (AI / PDF / EPS) preferred; PNG at 300 dpi minimum.
2. Bill of Materials (BOM) with Fabric & GSM
The BOM lists every component, its material, weight and source. GSM (grams per square meter) is the single most important number for apparel and teamwear hand-feel and durability.
| Component | Material spec | Typical weight / gauge |
|---|---|---|
| Cap crown fabric | Cotton twill / poly-cotton / performance mesh | 280–320 GSM |
| Jersey knit body | 100% polyester interlock, moisture-wicking | 150–180 GSM |
| Back mesh panel | Polyester micromesh | 120–150 GSM |
| Q-twill / hood material | Brushed fleece, 2-end or 3-end | 300–400 GSM |
| Sweatband | Cotton twill / moisture-wicking tape | 4–6 cm height |
| Buckram / backing | Poly-cotton stiffener for front panel | Standard or heavy |
| Thread | Polyester core-spun, color-matched | 40s / 2 (or 60s for fine detail) |
| Trims | Snapback closure, strap, buckle, drawcord, zipper | Per construction |
3. Pantone Color Codes & Colorways
Never describe color in words. Specify each colorway with a Pantone TCX (textile) number for fabric, and a Pantone PMS C/U number for threads and prints. Include:
- Primary, secondary and accent colors with Pantone references.
- Color-to-component mapping (e.g. TCX 19-4025 → crown; TCX 11-0601 → button).
- Logo color sequence for multi-color embroidery.
- Colour tolerance expectation (typically ±1 Pantone step under D65 lighting).
4. Measurement Spec Sheet with Tolerances (尺寸公差表)
Point-of-measure (POM) charts define where to measure and how much variance is acceptable. Standard industrial tolerance is ±0.5 cm on knitted/cut-and-sew apparel and ±0.3 cm on structured headwear.
| Measurement point | How to measure | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Crown height (cap) | Top of button to bottom of front panel | ±0.3 cm |
| Cap circumference | Inner sweatband all around | ±0.5 cm |
| Visor length | Centre front edge to crown seam | ±0.3 cm |
| Body width (jersey) | 1 cm below armhole, laid flat | ±1.0 cm |
| Body length | HPS to bottom hem | ±1.0 cm |
| Sleeve length | Centre back neck to cuff edge | ±1.0 cm |
| Logo placement | Distance from reference seam to logo centre | ±0.3 cm |
5. Embroidery, 3D Puff & Appliqué Placement Specification
Decoration spec must state method, size, position and stitch data for every logo.
- Method: flat embroidery, 3D puff, chenille, patch/appliqué, woven label, screen print, sublimation, or heat transfer.
- Dimensions: width × height in cm (and stitch count where known).
- Placement: measured from a fixed reference seam, plus left/right and up/down tolerance.
- 3D puff specifics: foam thickness (2–3 mm standard), underlay requirement, and cap-height limit so the puff does not distort on curved panels.
- Thread color sequence: numbered per logo layer, matched to Pantone.
- Digitized file: DST / EMB / PES accepted; we provide free digitizing and a stitch-out photograph for approval.
6. Labeling, Care Instructions & Wash Standards (洗唛)
- Woven main label: brand name, size, country of origin.
- Care label: fiber content and care symbols (ISO 3758) — wash temperature, bleach, tumble dry, iron, dry clean.
- Wash-test standard: specify required cycles (e.g. 5–10 home-laundry cycles with no more than 4% shrinkage and no color bleeding) for logos and fabric.
- Hangtag / UPC / barcode: artwork, size and attachment method.
- Country of origin: statement required for customs and retail compliance.
7. Packaging, Polybag & Carton Standards
| Level | Specification to define |
|---|---|
| Unit | Polybag gauge (e.g. 0.05 mm), suffocation warning, size sticker |
| Inner pack | Quantity per polybag / inner box, hangtag and tissue requirements |
| Master carton | Carton dimensions, ply rating, quantity per carton, gross weight limit (≤20 kg) |
| Carton marking | SKU, color, size breakdown, PO number, carton x of y |
| Logistics | Palletization, edge protection, moisture barrier, shipping marks |
Section 3: Free Headwear & Jersey Tech Pack Checklist (Table)
Use this table as a submission checklist. A tech pack is only “factory-ready” when every Must-have row is supplied for your product type.
| # | Tech pack element | Headwear (caps / beanies) | Jerseys & Teamwear | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flat technical sketches (front/back/side) | Required — incl. under-visor & sweatband view | Required — incl. sleeve & collar detail | Must-have |
| 2 | Bill of Materials + fabric GSM | Required — crown, visor, sweatband, buckram, snap | Required — body knit, mesh, rib, drawcord | Must-have |
| 3 | Pantone TCX / PMS color spec | Required — fabric, visor, button, thread | Required — body, trim, number, print | Must-have |
| 4 | Measurement spec + tolerance chart | Required — circumference, crown height, visor | Required — chest, body length, sleeve | Must-have |
| 5 | Decoration spec (embroidery / 3D puff / print) | Required — 3D puff, flat, patch placement | Required — sublimation, tackle twill, sponsor logos | Must-have |
| 6 | Care label, fiber content, wash standard | Required | Required | Must-have |
| 7 | Woven main label & size label | Required | Required | Must-have |
| 8 | Packaging, polybag & carton spec | Required | Required | Recommended |
| 9 | Team roster (names / numbers / sizes) | Optional | Required for personalized orders | Must-have (teams) |
| 10 | Colorway / size ratio breakdown | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| 11 | Approved sample or reference garment | Recommended (fit & crown shape) | Recommended (fit & fabric hand) | Recommended |
| 12 | Target price, quantity, in-hands date | Required for scheduling | Required for scheduling | Must-have |
Status key: Must-have = production cannot start without it · Recommended = improves accuracy and reduces revisions · Optional = only for personalized/roster orders.
Section 4: Team Roster Submission Guidelines
For custom jerseys, hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer and any personalized teamwear order, the roster is a production document — not just a name list. Submit it as a spreadsheet (XLSX / CSV) with one row per player, using the exact columns below.
| Column | Format | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player Name | UPPERCASE, max 12 characters | JOHNSON | Long names may be condensed; confirm nickname policy |
| Jersey Number | 1–2 digits, no duplicates on one team | 23 | Leading zero only if requested (e.g. 07) |
| Size | YS–YXL / S–5XL per your size chart | L | Use one consistent size system for the whole order |
| Garment Style / SKU | Exact style code | JM-JS-001 | Mandatory when the order mixes styles |
| Colorway | Home / Away or Pantone reference | Away | Prevents home/away mix-ups in split orders |
| Name Placement | Back / Front / Both | Back | State arch or straight lettering |
| Number Placement | Back / Front / Sleeve | Back + Sleeve | Confirm whether sleeve numbers are included |
| Captain / Special Mark | C / A / GK / None | C | Position and size must be confirmed in the tech pack |
| Quantity | Integer per row | 1 | Spare blanks recommended for mid-season replacements |
| Notes | Free text | Player prefers loose fit | Reviewed at sample stage |
Roster rules that prevent costly rework
- One row per garment. If a player needs two jerseys, use two rows.
- No duplicate numbers within the same style and colorway.
- Finalize before bulk. Roster changes after cutting begins may be treated as a new order.
- Spell-check names twice. Personalization is irreversible once stitched or sublimated.
- Confirm lettering style: font, height in cm, arch or straight, and color per the tech pack.
- Order spares. Add 5–10% blanks for late roster additions and replacements.
Section 5: Download & Submit Your Project
Send your design files or existing tech pack — get a free sample & quote in 24–48 hours
You do not need a finished tech pack to start. Send whatever you have — a logo file, a reference photo, a sketch on paper, an old garment, or an existing spec sheet. Our merchandising team will organize it into a production-ready tech pack, return a counter-sample plan and a firm quotation.
What you receive:
- Free technical review of your artwork, measurements and roster file
- Free digitizing and stitch-out photo for embroidery approval
- Counter-sample (pre-production sample) for fit, color and decoration sign-off
- Itemized quotation with fabric, GSM, decoration and packaging broken out
- Production timeline with confirmed in-hands date
Minimum order quantity: 50 pcs per design / colorway — suitable for clubs, schools, corporate programs and growing apparel brands.
Submit your project → Request a free quote & sample
Please attach: logo files (AI / EPS / PDF / vector SVG), design references, size chart or sample measurements, colorway Pantone references, roster spreadsheet (for team orders), target quantity and required delivery date.
Ready to build your tech pack?
A complete tech pack turns a good idea into a repeatable product. Use the checklist in Section 3, fill in the seven components from Section 2, and submit your project through the link above — our team will confirm feasibility, sampling time and pricing within 24–48 hours. Golf headwear brands can apply the checklist through our private label golf hats manufacturing program. Uniform dealers can also review our factory-direct support for uniform dealers.
