Streetwear Sampling and Tech Pack Guide
The Ultimate Streetwear Sampling & Tech Pack Guide
A tech pack is the blueprint of your garment — and sampling is where that blueprint comes to life. This guide explains what goes into a professional tech pack, how the sampling process works at Chanjoye, typical timelines and costs, and common mistakes that delay production.
Trusted by 200+ streetwear brands worldwide • ISO 9001 certified factory • 7+ years sampling experience
What Is a Tech Pack?
A tech pack (technical package) is the complete specification document that tells a manufacturer exactly how to produce your garment. It eliminates guesswork and ensures your vision becomes reality. Here are the 8 essential components every professional tech pack must include:
📐 Technical Sketches
Front, back, and side flat sketches with detailed callouts for every design element. Include stitching lines, pocket placements, and panel construction details.
📏 Measurement Specs
Every measurement point defined with tolerance: chest width, body length, sleeve length, shoulder width, neck drop, armhole — each with ±1cm to ±2cm tolerance.
🧵 Fabric Details
Complete specs: fabric composition (100% cotton, 80/20 blend), GSM/oz weight, weave type, color code, hand feel reference, and approved supplier listing.
🔧 Trim Details
Every component catalogued: main label, care label, hang tag, zippers (YKK/SBS), buttons, drawstrings, eyelets, rivets — with sizes, colors, and finishes.
🎨 Print Placement
Exact position, print dimensions, technique (screen print, DTG, embroidery, puff), Pantone color codes, and underbase requirements for dark garments.
🪡 Construction Details
Stitch type per seam (single needle, double needle, overlock, coverstitch), seam allowance, hem type, neck construction, and reinforcement points.
📊 Size Grade Rules
How measurements scale across sizes — S through 3XL. Standard streetwear grading: chest +2" per size, length +1" per size, sleeve +0.5" per size.
📦 Packaging Spec
Fold method (flat fold, hang fold), individual poly bag specifications, carton dimensions, quantity per carton, and any special packaging requirements.
The Chanjoye Sampling Process — Step by Step
Our systematic 8-step approach ensures your samples match your vision — with clear checkpoints and approval gates at every stage.
📤 Submit Tech Pack
Send your complete tech pack, reference images, and requirements. Our team reviews for completeness and flags any missing information immediately.
📋 Review & Quote — 24-48 Hours
We analyze your designs, calculate fabric consumption, and provide a detailed quote. Includes sample cost, bulk MOQ, and estimated production timeline.
✂️ Pattern Making — 2-3 Days
Our pattern makers create the garment pattern from your tech pack or measurements. Digital pattern for precision — graded for all sizes in your range.
🧵 Proto Sample — 5-7 Days
The first physical sample is cut and sewn. Our QC team reviews before shipping. This is where your design becomes tangible for the first time.
🚚 Ship Sample — 3-5 Days
Express shipping to your door. DHL, FedEx, or UPS — tracked and insured. Most clients receive samples within 3-5 business days of dispatch.
👀 Client Review
Try it on, feel the fabric, check the fit. Document any changes needed. We recommend reviewing in person — photos alone miss hand feel and drape.
🔄 Revision Samples — 3-5 Days
Address every comment. Most projects need 1-2 revisions. We track changes systematically — nothing gets lost between rounds.
✅ Final Approval → PP Sample → Bulk Production
Once approved, we produce a pre-production (PP) sample with actual bulk fabrics and trims. After your sign-off, bulk production begins — typically 25-35 days.
Sample Timeline & Cost Breakdown
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees. All costs include domestic shipping within China. International shipping quoted separately based on destination.
| Sample Type | Timeline | Cost (USD) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🧵 Proto / First Sample | 7-10 Days | $80 – $200 | Initial fit and design review — first physical version of your garment |
| 🔄 Revision Sample | 3-5 Days | $40 – $100 | Addressing specific changes from previous round — faster turnaround |
| 📐 Size Set Sample | 10-14 Days | $150 – $300 | Verifying grade rules across all sizes — one garment per size requested |
| 🏭 PP (Pre-Production) Sample | 7-10 Days | Included in Bulk | Final approval using actual bulk fabric and trims — last checkpoint before production |
| 📦 Shipment Sample | Pulled from Bulk | FREE | Random QC sample pulled from finished production for your records |
Prices vary by garment complexity. T-shirt samples start at the lower end; jackets, outerwear, and cut-and-sew pieces with multiple panels fall at the higher end.
8 Common Mistakes That Derail Sampling
After producing samples for hundreds of brands, we have seen these mistakes repeatedly. Avoid them and save weeks of back-and-forth.
No Tech Pack
Submitting just a photo or rough sketch — the factory guesses details and the result rarely matches your vision.
Skipping Fit Sample
Going straight to bulk without a fit sample leads to sizing issues discovered only after 500 units are already produced.
No GSM Specified
Not specifying fabric weight (GSM/oz) — the factory uses whatever is available, resulting in the wrong weight and feel.
No Pantone Codes
Saying "light blue" or "olive green" — color is subjective. Always specify exact Pantone TCX codes for fabric and TPX for prints.
Photo-Only Approval
Approving samples from photos only — misses fabric hand feel, drape, stretch, and how it actually fits on a body.
Tolerance Not Communicated
Without stated tolerance, ±2cm is default. If you need ±1cm for chest and length, specify it in the tech pack.
Rushing to Approve
Approving the first proto without wearing and washing — hidden construction issues only appear after real-world use.
No Wash Test
Not wash-testing samples — shrinkage, color bleeding, and twisting only show up after laundering. Test before bulk.
💡 Pro Tip: Chanjoye reviews every tech pack for completeness before starting — we flag missing specs and catch these mistakes before they cost you time and money.
What Goes in Your Tech Pack — Complete Checklist
Every professional tech pack should include these 8 sections. Use this as your checklist before submitting to any manufacturer.
Cover Page
Style name & number, season, date, brand details, contact information, and collection overview
Technical Flat Sketches
Front, back, side views in black & white with callouts for every design detail and seam
Bill of Materials (BOM)
Complete list of every material — fabric, lining, interlining, trim, labels, thread, hang tags
Measurement Chart
Full spec sheet with every POM (point of measurement), tolerance, and graded sizes
Fabric & Trim Sourcing
Composition, weight (GSM/oz), color codes, approved suppliers, and reference swatches
Print / Embroidery Diagram
Position, dimensions, technique (screen print, DTG, embroidery, puff), Pantone, underbase
Label & Packaging Spec
Main label, care label, hang tag placement and design, poly bag, fold method
Size Grade Rules
How each measurement scales from XS to 3XL — consistent grading formula for your brand
No Design Team? No Problem.
Our ODM service includes professional tech pack creation. Send us your concept — a sketch, reference image, or even a written description — and our experienced design team creates the full tech pack for you.
Includes: technical flat sketches, measurement chart, BOM, fabric specs, trim list, print placement diagram, and size grade rules — everything a factory needs to produce your garment exactly as you envision it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I do not have a tech pack — can you still make a sample?
Absolutely. Our ODM design service creates the tech pack for you. Send us your concept (sketch, reference photo, mood board, or detailed description) and our design team handles the rest. Tech pack creation costs $50–150 per style and is fully creditable toward your bulk order over 300 pieces.
Q: How many samples do I need for a full collection?
For a standard 8-style collection: one proto sample per style minimum, plus revision samples as needed (typically 1-2 revisions). We also recommend one size set sample per style if you are offering multiple sizes. Budget for 12-16 total samples for a smooth process.
Q: Are sample costs refundable or credited toward bulk?
Sample costs are credited toward your bulk order when the order exceeds 300 pieces per style. Tech pack creation fees are also creditable. PP samples are included free with your bulk order. Sample costs are not refundable if you decide not to proceed with production.
Q: Can I get just one sample without placing a bulk order?
Yes. We offer standalone sampling for brands that want to test a design or evaluate our quality before committing. Standalone samples without a bulk order are priced at the standard proto rate ($80-200 per style) and are not eligible for credit.
Q: How do I provide measurements if I do not have a size chart?
The easiest method: send us a reference garment that fits how you want. We reverse-engineer the measurements from it. Alternatively, we can use our standard streetwear size chart as a starting point. For custom sizing, just measure chest width, body length, and sleeve length from a well-fitting garment and we will build from there.
Ready to Bring Your Designs to Life?
Start your sampling journey with Chanjoye today. Here is what we need from you:
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