Garment Quality Control Checklist

Before production

• Approved and sealed PP sample in both hands
• Graded spec sheet with tolerances agreed in writing
• Bulk fabric approved against the sample fabric (hand, weight, shade, shrinkage)
• Trims and labels approved, including care/content for your market
• Artwork placement and dimensions confirmed on an actual garment

During production (inline)

Inline inspection at roughly 20% of the run is the cheapest quality you can buy. A systematic error found here is a correction; found at final, it is a rework of the entire order.

• Cutting: shading, grain direction, marker accuracy
• Sewing: seam type, SPI, allowance, operator substitutions
• First-off measurement against spec for each size
• Shade bands across rolls

Final (pre-shipment)

• Random sample across cartons and sizes, to an agreed AQL
• Measured against the graded spec, not the sample size only
• Workmanship against the sealed PP
• Labeling, care content, barcodes and carton markings
• Packing: fold, polybag, carton count and weight

Classify defects so they get fixed

• Critical: unsafe, non-compliant or unsellable in any condition
• Major: affects appearance, fit or function enough to cause a return
• Minor: cosmetic, within commercial tolerance

Report with quantity, photo, location and the spec it violates. “Quality is bad” produces an argument. “12 of 80 units measure chest 2cm over tolerance, see photos” produces a correction.

Hold the payment to the report

Tie the balance payment to a passed inspection. It is the only leverage that reliably works, and it should be in the production agreement from the start.