How to Export Fashion Tech Packs as Professional PDFs
How to export fashion tech packs as manufacturer-ready PDFs — formatting, page layout, what manufacturers expect, and common export mistakes to avoid.
Why PDF is the standard tech pack format
PDF is the universal tech pack format because it preserves layout across devices and systems, cannot be accidentally edited by recipients, prints consistently, and works offline. Manufacturers in every country can open and work from PDFs.
Other formats (Excel, Google Sheets, web links) are common but problematic. Excel formatting breaks across different versions. Google Sheets requires internet access. Web links can change or expire. PDF is permanent and portable.
Standard tech pack PDF structure
A professional tech pack PDF follows a consistent page order:
- Page 1: Cover page — style info, flat sketches, fabric swatch area
- Page 2: Flat sketches with construction callouts — detailed front and back views
- Page 3: Bill of materials — complete material listing with all specifications
- Page 4: Measurements — POM table with tolerances for base size
- Page 5: Graded size chart — full size range measurements
- Page 6: Construction notes — seam types, stitch specs, assembly sequence
- Page 7: Colorways — component-level color mapping for each colorway
- Page 8: Labels and packaging — care label content, brand labels, packaging
- Page 9: Costing — material cost estimates and margin targets
Page layout best practices
Tech pack pages should be A4 or US Letter size in portrait orientation. Use consistent headers on every page showing style name, style number, brand, and date. Headers allow any single page to be identified if pages are separated.
Use a minimum 9pt font for all specification text — factory workers reading tech packs may not have perfect vision. Tables should have clear borders and alternating row shading for readability.
What to check before sending
Before sending a tech pack PDF to a manufacturer, verify:
- All measurements are in the correct unit system (inches or centimeters — not mixed)
- Flat sketches are clear and legible when printed in black and white
- Color references include hex codes and Pantone numbers, not just color names
- All BOM entries have complete specifications (no blank fields)
- The graded size chart base size matches the measurement page base size
- The date is current and the document reflects your latest revisions
AI tech pack PDF export
AI tech pack generators like Skema3D export directly to professionally formatted PDFs. Each section gets its own page with consistent headers, clear layouts, and professional formatting. No manual assembly in Illustrator or InDesign required.
The export captures the current state of all tech pack sections, including any edits made through the AI chat. Export after each revision round to maintain a clear document trail.