A quality control checklist should be used while the shipment inspection is done by an auditor and quality inspector. In apparel manufacturing, checking of raw materials, semi-stitched garments, stitched garments, and finished garments are done by the internal quality assurance team. The manufacturer aims to pack quality garments for shipping. However as a buyer, one should not completely trust the manufacturer’s inspection report. Therefore, the buyer’s QA representative needs to do the shipment inspection after the complete shipment is packed by the supplier factory.
As a buyer or quality assurance personnel or shipment auditor, you need to follow a quality control checklist to ensure everything is covered during the inspection process. Assessment of the product quality should be done unbiased. A quality checklist is beneficial in this regard.
In the post, I will show you the quality control checklist that needs to be followed for product sourcing. While doing a quality inspection of the shipment, various parameters are considered to ensure product quality, packaging quality, and product safety.
ALSO READ: 17 Tips to improve garment quality
As a buyer or quality assurance personnel or shipment auditor, you need to follow a quality control checklist to ensure everything is covered during the inspection process. Assessment of the product quality should be done unbiased. A quality checklist is beneficial in this regard.
In the post, I will show you the quality control checklist that needs to be followed for product sourcing. While doing a quality inspection of the shipment, various parameters are considered to ensure product quality, packaging quality, and product safety.
Quality Control Checklist
1. Workmanship and stitching quality
Through stitching, process fabric is converted into garments. Therefore, the stitching quality must be as per the standards.- The workmanship of the garment is as per the approved sample
- Check no open seam
- Check for jump stitch
- No undesired puckering in the seam lines
- In case different fabrics are used in the garment, check fabric quality and color combination is correct
- Check whether the correct thread size and thread color are used for stitching or not
- All trims and accessories (like drawstrings, and beads) are attached to the garment as per safety norms.
2. Visual Inspection
The visual inspection covers the following points:- Check if the garment is balanced (left and right sides of the garment) and falls properly when holding with two hands.
- There is no twisting in the garment
- Check all labels (main label, size label, care label, and special label) are attached as per instruction - at the right place
- Text and print layout in the content label and care label are matched with the buyer-approved labels.
- Size label - Check the garment size and the label is matching
- All trims and fasteners are secured and attached right place.
- Print and embroidery (if applicable) placement are as per the design.
- No undesired stain, oil mark, chalk mark, pressing mark, or soiling is there on the garments (invisible zones).
3. Fabric and raw material quality report
You may also need to check the quality of the trims. For this follow the fabric and trims test report.
- All the fabric, lining, and material used in the garments are as per the approved design
- Compare trim details against the approved trim card.
- Check the fabric quality test report (FPT and GPT) for the order you are inspecting – parameters like - fabric GSM, fabric weight, color fastness properties, seam slippage, button pulling strength, dimensional stability, fabric shrinkage user limit (whichever is applicable for the shipment.
- Compare the print and embroidery work with the approved samples (swatch)
- If you found shade differences between garments, look at the approved shade band and compare that all shades are within the approved fabric shade bands
- Do a visual inspection for any kind of defects
- There should not be an iron mark (shiny mark) and should not be an unwanted crease on the pressed garments.
- Measurement checking - check the measurement of all sizes of garments. If there is measurement variation in some point of measure (POM) compared to the spec sheet, it must be within the tolerance level
- If required check the garment fit in a dress form
- In case pattern matching is required (for prints, stripes, check patterns) – check it is under allowance
- Check garment hand feels and washing quality (if applicable) are as per standards.
4. Garment Packing
Follow this checklist for checking garment packing. If available refer to the approved packed garment.- Packing list - check the complete packing list and verify whether packing is done as per buyer’s instruction.
- Garments are folded as per specified dimensions
- All tags and stickers on the tags are correct
- Garments are packed as per buyer size ratio (if the buyer asked for a ratio packing). correct polybag size and poly bag material are used.
- All garments are passed through a broken needle detection machine (metal detection machine) – if applicable
5. Carton box quality and labeling:
- Carton quality – check carton quality for its size and cardboard strength. Carton shape and no space inside the carton.
- The carton labeling should be checked thoroughly. Check all the required information and the carton number is there.
- All carton boxes are closed with tape (as per standard packing)
ALSO READ: 17 Tips to improve garment quality
Conclusion
The above checklist is a primary guide for the quality inspection of the shipment. Follow the detailed inspection instructions from the buyer’s quality manual (if available). The same quality control checklist can be used during internal quality checking and quality inspection.
A checklist for quality control saves time and improves productivity in the inspection process. This checklist is a part of the inspection process and the complete inspection procedure.
A checklist for quality control saves time and improves productivity in the inspection process. This checklist is a part of the inspection process and the complete inspection procedure.