How To Create An Apparel Tech Pack, Part 3: Developing the Colorways Page

A colorway page is the section of an apparel tech pack that specifies exact color codes, fabric, and trim details for every version of a garment.

Painting with Pixels: Your Tech Pack’s Color Story

Color is one of the most powerful tools in fashion; it shapes perception, evokes emotion, and defines a brand’s identity. The colorway page in your technical package (tech pack) is where you translate this visual storytelling into a precise, production-ready guide. This section ensures that every shade, fabric, and trim aligns with your vision, helping manufacturers execute your design with accuracy and consistency. 

Whether you’re working with solid colors, prints, or intricate dye techniques, your colorway page is the blueprint that bridges creativity and technical precision. Once completed, it provides a clear roadmap for how the product will look once color, fabrics, and details come together. To achieve the best results, it's important to research trending colors, industry standards, and material compatibility before finalizing your selections. 

Vibrant Visions: Key Components of a Colorways Page 

To ensure consistency and minimize production errors, every colorways page should include the following essential details:

• Flat Sketch of Each Colorway: Provide technical drawings of the garment in all intended color variations. These should be precise, clean, and free of unnecessary artistic details to ensure clarity.

• Color Codes and Names: Use Pantone numbers, RGB, CMYK, or brand-specific color names to maintain consistency across all production stages

• Fabric and Trims Specifications: Details how each color is applied to different components, including main fabrics, linings, stitching, buttons, zippers, and other trims. This prevents mismatches and ensures cohesive final production.

Pro Tip: Always start with the hardest to match item. ie. If you have a visible zipper in your garment, start with one of the many available colors of zippers and match other materials to that, rather than trying to source a custom zipper color.

• Material Swatches (if Available): Attach digital or physical swatches for reference to ensure that the fabric texture, finish, and color align with expectations

• Notes and Special Instructions: Include additional details such as dye techniques, print placement, color blocking instructions, or any production-specific guidance

The Perfect Palette: Flawless Colorways Page Awaits 

A well-prepared colorway page is more than just a color chart; it’s an essential production tool that eliminates ambiguity and ensures that every garment meets your exact specifications. By clearly specifying color details, from fabric and trims to precise color codes and material swatches, you reduce costly mistakes, streamline manufacturing, and maintain brand consistency across collections.

Investing time in creating a clear, well-organized colorways page will ultimately lead to a smoother production process, and the final product will look exactly as you envisioned. 

Next up in our How To Create An Apparel Tech Pack series: we will dive into the Graded Specification Sheet (Spec Sheet), a critical tool that helps manufacturers interpret sizing and fit with accuracy. 

This article is part of our blog series, How to Create an Apparel Tech Pack. Other articles in this series are:

Part 1: Cover Page Explained

Part 2: Mastering Technical Design Sketches

Part 4: Constructing A Graded Specification Sheet

Part 5: Building the Point of Measurement (POM) Page

Part 6: Crafting a Bill Of Materials (BOM)

Part 7: Assembling The Construction Details Page

Part 8: Forming The Renderings and Mockups Page

Part 9: Establishing The Labeling, Folding, and Packaging Information

Part 10: Understanding the Terminology

Related Articles:

Getting Started

For readers in the early planning stages:

I have a great idea for a fashion product – how do I start?

Essential Tips for Small Fashion Business Success

Go from Fashion Influencer to Fashion Entrepreneur using Fashion Index

What Is Adaptive Fashion? A Complete Guide to Inclusive Design

Apparelmark: Turning Fashion Ideas into Market-Ready Brands with Full-Service Design

On-Demand vs. Batch Manufacturing

Before You Source

For readers preparing to contact suppliers:

Are You Ready to Get a Sample Made?

11 Common Mistakes in Starting a Fashion Business

Lowering Costs For Start-Up Fashion Brands

Essential Guide To Tech Packs

How to Write a Sourcing Inquiry That Gets a Response

Are You Ready to Get a Sample Made?

Understanding Knit Fabric Series

How to Start a Fashion Brand: An Essential Guide

Technical Knowledge

For readers building their production fluency:

A Beginner's Guide to Stitch Types

Thread Characteristics: From Fibers to Finishes

Plant-Based Leather Alternatives