Quality Inspection Procedures Every Garment Brand Must Know About

Source: <https://blog.qima.com/inspection/garment-quality-inspection-procedures> Published: Jul 28, 2022 Categories: Inspections, Quality Control

Product quality, especially in the apparel sector, doesn’t simply happen. It is the result of continuous quality control efforts and strict quality inspection procedures.

Quality inspections are carried out at the garment supplier’s facilities during and after the production process, before the garments are shipped to the brand’s stores and distribution centers.

Five Fundamental Steps in a Garment Inspection

1. Measuring Garment Dimensions

Dimensions must be consistent and comply with specified sizes. The quality control inspector takes measurements of different parts of the garment and compares them against specifications for every clothing size.

Specifying tolerances: Tolerances can vary for different parts of the garment. For example, ¼ inch may be acceptable for a shirt’s chest width, but the same ¼ inch sleeve deviation would be marked a fail.

Fit test: A quality control inspector places the garment onto a mannequin of appropriate size and performs a visual check.

2. Accessories Testing

Unreliable accessories can destroy the consumer’s overall impression. Tests include:

• Pull test – Uses a gauge to pull on the accessory with predetermined force for 10 seconds (mainly for zippers)
• Fatigue test – Repeatedly buttons and unbuttons 50 times to check for damage
• Stretch test – Tests elastic bands and straps for proper elasticity

3. Garment Appearance, Workmanship and Other Checks

• Checking garment style and colors against approved sample (Pantone color charts)
• Checking artwork or logos match reference
• Stripes check for proper cutting and sewing
• Needle detection check (metal detector)
• Rub tests for colorfastness
• Seam slippage test (for woven garments)
• Odor tests

4. Label Verification

Garment labels must contain:

• Fiber content
• Country of origin
• Manufacturer/importer/distributor information
• Garment sizing
• Care instructions for washing and ironing

Barcode scanning test: Ensure barcode is linked to correct information, properly printed and readable, appropriately sized, properly orientated, and not damaged.

5. Packaging Inspection

Checks include:

• Correct number and assortment per carton
• Appropriate carton size, weight and material
• Inner cartons/polybags properly sealed
• Adequate product protection
• Proper warnings on polybags
• Compliance of desiccant sachets with consumer safety laws
• Shipping marks correct, legible, and consistent

Shipping marking must include:

• Buyer’s name and PO number
• Item number and description
• Carton dimensions and weight
• Number of cartons in set
• Country of origin

TL;DR

• Inspection procedures differ by stage: during production, before dispatch, and on arrival.
• Choose the stage that matches the risk you are trying to remove.
• Each stage has a different cost of failure, so the procedure should be chosen deliberately.

Inspection stages and what each one catches

Stage	What it checks	Best used when
During production	Early output, tooling and process setup	The product is new or the process is complex
Pre-shipment	Finished goods against the approved sample and specification	Before dispatch, once the order is complete and packed
Container loading	Quantity and loading condition at the point of departure	Cargo is consolidated or the packing method matters
On arrival	Condition after transit	You need evidence for a claim or a quality record

Pick by risk, not habit: a during-production check catches tooling and process problems early, while a pre-shipment check confirms the finished order. They answer different questions.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main types of quality inspection?

Typically during-production, pre-shipment, container-loading and on-arrival inspection. Each checks a different stage and answers a different question.

Which inspection stage should I choose?

Choose by the risk you want removed. New products and complex processes benefit from an earlier check; a finished, packed order is what pre-shipment inspection is for.

Is more inspection always better?

No. Each stage costs time and money, and an inspection without a written specification cannot produce a reliable decision.