Quality control and inspection for apparel
Every shipment is checked while it is made and inspected by an independent third party before the balance is due, against the PP sample you approved.
What is included
- A pre-production meeting with the factory to review the PP sample, spec and risks
- Inline checks by our QC team during sewing
- Measurement and workmanship checks against the approved PP sample
- A third-party final inspection at AQL 2.5 before the balance is due
- An inspection report with photos and defect counts
- Corrective action and re-inspection if a lot fails
- A check of packing and labelling against your instructions
What you receive
- Inline-check notes
- A final inspection report with photos and defect counts
- A corrective-action record if anything fails
- Release for shipment against a passed report
How it works
- Step 1
Pre-production meeting
Spec, PP sample and risk points are reviewed with the factory before cutting.
- Step 2
Inline checks
Our QC team checks the lot during sewing so problems are fixed early.
- Step 3
Pre-final check
We confirm the lot is ready, packed and labelled before the inspector arrives.
- Step 4
Final inspection
An independent third-party inspector samples the lot at AQL 2.5.
- Step 5
Report and release
You receive the report; the lot is released for shipment once it passes.
Pricing basis
Inline checks included; third-party inspection quoted separately
- Inline checks by our QC team are part of our service fee, quoted as “from 5%” and confirmed in your costing.
- The third-party final inspection is a separate line on your cost sheet.
Questions about Quality control
What does AQL 2.5 mean?
AQL is the Acceptable Quality Limit: the maximum defect rate a sampled lot can show and still pass. AQL 2.5 for major defects is the apparel norm. For a 3,000-piece lot, inspectors check 125 pieces and accept up to 7 major defects.
Who carries out the final inspection?
An independent third-party inspector, not the factory and not our sales team, so the result does not depend on whoever benefits from the lot passing.
What happens if a lot fails?
The factory reworks it and it is inspected again. The final inspection happens before the balance is due, so you do not pay the balance for a lot that has not passed.
What do I compare the goods against?
The PP sample you approved. It is the contract reference, and the bulk is inspected against it.
Related
- TRUSTPayment protection: how deposits and balances are protected
- GLOSSARYGlossary: AQL, PP sample, inline QC
- SERVICEProduction management
Start with a brief.
Step 1 takes a few minutes. A merchandiser replies within one business day.