Free alternatives to paid tech pack software
Compare ways to make a tech pack: paid tools such as Techpacker and Backbone, spreadsheets, Illustrator and free guided tools. Who each option suits and how to choose.
Updated 1 October 2026 · By Hem Apparel
You can make a tech pack in several ways, and the right one depends on your team, budget and how many styles you develop. This page compares the common options honestly, including where a free guided tool is not the best fit.
The options
| Option | Best for | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid tech pack software | Established brands with a team | May offer collaboration, version control, libraries and integrations | Check current features, plan limits and pricing with each provider |
| PLM systems | Larger brands | Full product lifecycle management | Expensive and complex |
| Google Sheets or spreadsheet software you already use | Anyone on a zero budget | Flexible and familiar; software costs vary | You build the layout, flats and grading yourself |
| Illustrator or Figma | Designers who draw flats | Total control over flats and layout | Needs design skills, manual measurement tables |
| Free guided tool (Techpackz) | New brands and first products | Free, no account, templates, auto grading, pre-flight check | Single user and no team workspace yet |
How to choose
- Making your first few products on a small budget: start with a free guided tool or a spreadsheet.
- Developing many styles each season with several people: consider paid software with collaboration and version control.
- Already strong in Illustrator: draw the flats there and use a tool or spreadsheet for specs, then combine them.
- Working with large retailers who require a specific format: ask which system they expect.
What matters more than the tool
Whatever you use, the content decides the result. A factory needs flat sketches, measurements with tolerances, fibre content and weight, Pantone colours, artwork positions, labels and packing. Our tech pack checklist lists what to confirm before you send it.
What Techpackz does
- Free, with no account and no limit on the number of tech packs.
- Garment templates with measurements and materials pre-filled.
- Ready-made flat sketches with colour and call-outs.
- Automatic size grading from a base size.
- A pre-flight check that flags what a factory will ask for.
- PDF export. Your work stays in your own browser.
Pricing and features of other tools change, so check their websites for current details before you decide.