Guide
How to create a tech pack without Illustrator
Illustrator is still the industry default for flat sketches — but most first-time founders don't have vector skills or four hours per style. You can still produce a quotable first draft without CAD.
Option 1: Photo to AI tech pack (fastest)
Upload a clean front photo of your prototype, blank, or bought sample. SendToSample drafts flats, BOM, POM, grading, and construction notes from that image in about 60 seconds. You review before export.
This replaces the Illustrator step for the first draft — not the final sign-off. You still verify measurements and supplier names before production.
Option 2: Form-based generators
Some free tools ask you to fill spreadsheets and upload hand sketches. They work if you already have measured specs; they don't infer construction from a photo.
Option 3: Hire a freelance technical designer
Freelancers deliver polished packs in three to seven days at $150–$500+ per style. Best when the garment is complex; expensive for a ten-style first drop.
Related questions
- Can factories accept a tech pack made without Illustrator?
- Yes. Factories reject vague packs, not the tool that made them. A clear flat, BOM, and POM chart matter more than whether it was drawn in Illustrator.
- What photo should I upload?
- A clean front of the actual garment — collar and hem in frame, natural light, no heavy filters. A phone photo of a proto or blank beats a Canva mockup.