Folding instructions are one of the most overlooked specs in a tech pack — and one of the most visible to the end customer. A garment that arrives at a retailer or customer folded inconsistently, with the back facing up or creased in the wrong places, creates an immediate quality perception problem before the product is even touched.
The standard flat fold is simple, consistent, and designed to fit inside a standard polybag with the front of the garment facing up. Specifying it explicitly in your packing notes eliminates variation across production operators and shifts.
Always include folding instructions in your packing notes. "Flat fold, front facing up" takes 5 words and eliminates inconsistency across your production run.
Standard flat fold sequence for a t-shirt
Lay flat, front up
Place the garment face-up on the folding table. Smooth out any wrinkles from the pressing step.
Fold sleeves in
Fold each sleeve back across the body, keeping the fold line at the shoulder seam. Both sleeves fold to the back.
Fold sides to center
Fold the left third of the garment to center, then the right third over it. Final width should match polybag width minus 2 cm clearance.
Fold bottom up
Fold the bottom half up to meet the neckline. The front graphic or brand logo should be visible on top.
Insert into polybag
Slide into polybag front-facing up. Seal adhesive strip. Attach hang tag or sticker if required.
Production specs for your tech pack
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fold type | Flat fold | Not hanger — folded flat into polybag |
| Front orientation | Facing up | Logo/graphic visible through bag |
| Tissue paper | Optional | Specify if required for premium presentation |
| Final dimensions | Match polybag | Folded size = polybag width minus 2 cm |
| Pressing | Before folding | Steam press recommended for clean fold lines |
In FlatLabs PRO, packing instructions including fold type and orientation appear in the spec sheet's packing section — giving your factory a complete reference from fabric to packed unit.