How to edit a tech pack template (with free tools)

Every LabelLaunch tech pack comes as one folder with four kinds of files. Here's what each one is for and how to make it yours, using free tools only.

File	What it is	Edit it with
….xlsx	The editable tech pack: overview, measurements, materials, construction, artwork, sample comments	Google Sheets (free), Excel or Numbers
….pdf	A finished example of how the tech pack looks when it's complete	Read only: use it as a reference
flat-front.svg / flat-back.svg	Technical drawings of the garment	Figma (free), Inkscape (free), Illustrator or Affinity
README.txt	Short instructions	Any text editor

The Excel file is your real tech pack. The PDF shows what a finished one looks like; you edit the Excel and send that, plus a PDF you export from it.

Step 1: open the Excel file in Google Sheets

1. Go to Google Drive and upload the .xlsx file (drag it in).
2. Right-click it, choose Open with → Google Sheets.
3. Click File → Save as Google Sheets so you can edit it freely.

Excel or Numbers work just as well if you already have them.

Step 2: fill in the Overview tab

Replace everything in [brackets]: your brand name, style name and code, season or drop, date and version, your factory and contact details. Keep the version number up to date (V1, V2…) every time you change something, so every sample is checked against the right version.

Step 3: change the fit in the Measurements tab

This is where the fit lives. The tab is built so you only edit two things:

• Size M (the base size): type your own measurements in the M column.
• Grade / size: how much each measurement grows per size (for example +3 cm chest width per size).

All other sizes update automatically. Change chest width M from 66 to 64 and XS, S, L, XL and XXL follow.

The fastest way to get your numbers: lay a garment whose fit you love flat on a table, measure every point exactly as described in the "How to measure" column, and use those numbers as your size M.

Keep the tolerance column (±1 cm is common for chest and length). Without tolerances, every small deviation becomes a discussion with your factory.

Step 4: materials, construction and artwork

• Fabric & BOM: fill in your fabric, weight (gsm), composition, rib, labels and trims, with colours and supplier if you know them. Leave a field as "factory to propose" if you don't.
• Construction: the template already describes a professional construction. Only change what you want differently (for example "add drawcords with metal eyelets").
• Artwork: one row per logo: position, exact size in cm, distance from a seam ("8 cm below collar seam"), technique ("3D puff print") and colours (Pantone or thread codes). Add the file name of the artwork you'll send.

Step 5: put your logo on the flats

You can do this in the browser with Figma (free account) or on your computer with Inkscape (free).

In Figma:

1. Create a new design file and drag flat-front.svg onto the canvas.
2. Drag your logo (SVG or transparent PNG) on top.
3. Scale and place it roughly where it goes. The exact size and position are in your Artwork tab; the flat is there to show the placement.
4. Want to show the garment colour? Select the garment shapes and change the fill.
5. Select everything and Export → PNG or PDF. Repeat for the back.

In Inkscape: File → Open the SVG, File → Import your logo, place it, then File → Save As → PDF.

Step 6: export one clean PDF

In Google Sheets: File → Download → PDF, choose "Workbook" to include every tab, set it to landscape and "Fit to width". Put that PDF, your flats with logos and your artwork files in one folder.

Step 7: send it to your factory

Send three things: the PDF, the editable Excel (factories often fill in their own notes), and your artwork as vector files (AI, PDF or SVG with text converted to outlines). Ask for a quote and a sample in one email; there's a message template you can copy in the manufacturer guide.

Tip: after every sample round, write the changes in the Sample comments tab and raise the version number. Six weeks later you'll be glad you did.

No tech pack yet?

Start with the free boxy tee tech pack, or get every template, the HALFWAY CLUB example and the full course in the Launch Academy.