If your yoga activewear tech pack is ready, the next step is a sample: the OEM factory reads your spec sheet, sources matching high-quality fabric, cuts and sews one garment, and sends it back so you can judge fit and feel before committing to a production run. At Printing Yoga we create samples directly from a buyer's tech pack, and this guide walks through every stage of that workflow so you know what to expect and how to prepare the details that keep the process moving.
What a tech pack actually gives the factory
A tech pack is the technical brief that lets a manufacturer build your garment without guessing. It specifies the fabric composition, construction, measurements, colorways, and print or logo placement. The more complete these details are, the fewer rounds of back-and-forth you need during sampling. A strong tech pack lets us offer accurate feedback on which fabrics we can source and where your design may need small adjustments for manufacturability.
Fabric composition is the single detail buyers most often leave vague. It drives stretch, opacity, moisture handling, and cost. For reference, three real Printing Yoga apparel builds show the range you can request: the letter-printed long-sleeved shirt runs 78% nylon and 22% spandex; the Quick-Dry Pants use a two-layer build with a 94% polyester / 6% spandex outer and a 90% polyester / 10% spandex inner; and the V-neck bra pairs an 82.5% polyester / 17.5% spandex body with a 94% polyester / 6% spandex mesh. Naming a target composition like these in your tech pack helps ensure the sample matches your intended hand-feel.
The OEM workflow, stage by stage
The path from an approved tech pack to a shippable sample follows a predictable sequence. Understanding each stage helps you plan your launch timeline and know which decisions belong to you versus the factory.
- Tech pack review: we read your spec and flag any missing measurements or unbuildable details.
- Fabric sourcing: we match your composition target from our range of yoga-grade knits.
- Pattern and cut: your graded measurements become a physical pattern.
- Sew and print: the sample is stitched and any custom designs or logos are applied.
- Sample delivery: the finished piece ships to you for fit and quality sign-off.
Should you sample first? Conditional guidance
Sampling is not always the right first move, and the wide variation in brand situations means the answer depends on your goals.
If you are launching a premium activewear brand and fit is your differentiator, always sample before production — a physical fit check on your target body is the only way to ensure the garment lives up to your standards.
If you already have a proven garment and only want a new print or colorway on the same block, you may be able to skip a full fit sample and approve a smaller print or fabric swatch instead, which shortens your delivery timeline.
If you do not yet have graded measurements or a finished tech pack, do not request a sample yet — sampling against an incomplete spec wastes a full cycle and usually produces a garment that misrepresents your design. Finish the tech pack first, then sample.
Fabric spec comparison
The three reference builds below show how composition choices map to product type. Use this as a starting point when you create your own spec.
| Product | Fabric composition | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Letter-printed long-sleeved shirt | 78% nylon, 22% spandex | Layering tops where a soft, high-recovery nylon hand-feel matters |
| Quick-Dry Pants (Model 01) | Outer 94% polyester / 6% spandex; inner 90% polyester / 10% spandex | Sweat-forward practice where moisture handling and coverage lead |
| V-neck bra | Body 82.5% polyester / 17.5% spandex; mesh 94% polyester / 6% spandex | Support pieces needing higher spandex in the body and breathable mesh panels |
Frequently asked questions
I'm launching a premium activewear brand and my first tech packs are almost ready — what happens next?
Once your tech packs are finished, send them over and we review them for buildability, then move to fabric sourcing and a first sample. Having the tech pack in hand is exactly the right stage to start an OEM conversation, and it lets us offer accurate feedback early.
How complete does my tech pack need to be before you can sample?
At minimum we need fabric composition, graded measurements, construction notes, and any print or logo placement. Missing details slow sampling down; a complete pack lets us build to your standards on the first try during the sample stage.
Can you match a specific fabric composition I've specified?
Yes — our services cover sourcing to a target composition. Naming a spec such as a nylon-spandex or polyester-spandex blend, like the reference builds above, helps ensure the sample delivers the hand-feel and stretch you designed for.
What if I only want a new print on an existing garment?
If the block and fabric are unchanged, you can often approve a print or fabric swatch rather than a full fit sample, which shortens delivery. We still recommend a physical check for any first-time custom designs.
Do you work with new brands or only established buyers?
We work with new brands regularly. Our OEM capacity and experience span first-time launches through repeat production, so a brand-new label with a solid tech pack is a normal starting point for us.
Ready to move from tech pack to sample? Explore our custom yoga activewear products or reach out with your spec, and the Printing Yoga team will help you plan the right first step.