Fashion terms / Technical Flat
What Is a Technical Flat?
A technical flat (also called a flat sketch or fashion flat) is a black-and-white line drawing of a garment shown as if it were laid flat, with no model, shading or pose. It shows the exact shape, seams and details, like pockets, zips and stitching, so pattern makers and factories know exactly how to make it.
Technical Flat Meaning
A technical flat is the blueprint drawing of a garment. Where a fashion sketch shows how a design looks on a body, a technical flat shows how it's built.
Other names for a technical flat:
- Flat sketch
- Fashion flat
- Technical drawing or technical sketch
- CAD (when drawn on a computer)
Technical flats are a key part of a tech pack. They communicate the garment’s construction alongside its measurements, materials and production notes.
What a Technical Flat Shows
- Exact shape and proportions: true to the real garment, not stretched like a fashion sketch
- Seam lines: where every piece of fabric joins
- Darts and pleats: how the garment is shaped
- Stitching: topstitching and decorative stitch lines, often shown as dashed lines
- Closures: zips, buttons, snaps and hooks
- Pockets, collars and cuffs: their exact shape and position
- Hems and trims: finishing details at the edges
Views in a Technical Flat
- Front view: the main drawing, always included
- Back view: shows back seams, yokes, vents and closures
- Side view: for garments with side details or a special shape
- Detail close-ups: enlarged drawings of complex parts, like a collar, pocket or zip
Flat Sketch vs Technical Flat
The terms are often used interchangeably. In a workflow that distinguishes them, “flat sketch” can mean a simpler presentation drawing, while “technical flat” refers to the version developed for production.
| Aspect | Flat sketch | Technical flat |
|---|---|---|
| Level of detail | Shape and main details | Seams, stitches and construction details |
| Callouts and notes | Few or none | Labels, measurements and construction notes |
| Main use | Line sheets, presentations, catalogues | Tech packs and factory production |
| Who uses it | Designers, sales and buyers | Pattern makers, technical designers, factories |
How Technical Flats Are Drawn
- By hand: with a pencil, ruler and fine-liner, often over a garment template
- Digitally: in vector drawing software such as Adobe Illustrator, or in drawing apps like Procreate
- With templates: ready-made garment outlines that designers adjust for each style
Tips for clear technical flats
- Keep lines clean and use consistent outline thickness.
- Use dashed lines for stitching.
- Draw the front and back at the same size and proportion.
- Add close-ups for any complex details.
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Start free: 3 credits, no cardRelated Terms
Tech Pack
The blueprint document a factory uses to make a garment.
Fashion Croquis
A figure outline designers use as a base for sketching clothes.
Colorway
The specific combination of colors a garment is made in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a technical sketch in fashion?
A technical sketch is another name for a technical flat: a precise, flat line drawing of a garment that shows how it's constructed, without a model or shading.
What app can I use to draw technical flats?
You can use vector drawing software such as Adobe Illustrator, a drawing app such as Procreate, or start from ready-made flat templates.
Why are technical flats black and white?
Black-and-white lines keep the drawing clear and easy to read. Colors and prints are shown separately, in the colorways and artwork sections of the tech pack.
Are fashion flats and technical flats the same?
In fashion design, yes. “Fashion flat”, “flat sketch” and “technical flat” all describe flat line drawings of a garment, though the level of construction detail can vary. “Flats” can also mean flat shoes, which is a different meaning.
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