As a customer strolling a clothing shop during inspection looking for something that appeals to you. There might be several concerns going about in your mind: the size of the garment,. How it would fit you, the color, the price and many other things. However, what you most probably may not be concerned about is the finish of the garment. Whether there are any loose threads hanging out, or if a button is loose?
You take it as given that all of these matters will be taken care of. And the end product that you receive will be virtually free of all defects. In fact, in the very rare cases where you do find a defect. It would greatly annoy you to have to return the product. And ask for one that is free of all and any defects.
Quality Control Process
However, the process for customers to receive this ‘perfect’ garment isn’t as simple as it might seem to them. There are numerous tasks involved in the quality control process. That ensures that the products received by the customers meet the quality standards. Set by the company as well as the customer’s expectations. And in this regard, pre-shipment inspection is of utmost importance to ensure. That the shipment received by the importer meets the specifications and requirements set by him.
Product inspection of garments requires a keen eye for details as well as knowledge of the materials. And processes involved in the production of garments. The inspection team responsible for ensuring the quality of the garments has to be well-versed in specific terminology. Related to the industry, as well as specific defects and their solutions. When it comes to different kinds of garments.
To Meet The Requirements Needed
The QC professionals also need to be aware of the different industry standards that the garments must fulfill. In order to meet the requirements needed to be sold in the market. A deviation from these standards is likely to result in heavy losses. For the importer as the garments will be deemed unsellable in the market.
Therefore, it is extremely important that you, as an importer. And you QC team like Atihongkong have a thorough knowledge of the different kinds of quality defects. That are common in garments so that you may be able to keep an eye out for them. And avoid these defects in your products. Let’s take a closer look at how you can classify defects found in garments during product inspection.
Garment Defects In A QC Checklist
Firstly, let’s define what garment defects in a QC checklist actually mean
A quality control checklist (also known as an inspection criteria sheet) is a document of utmost importance. As it outlines the basic quality standards that any product. Including garments, should meet in order to be sold in the market. It ensures that the products manufactured in mass-production adhere to a consistent quality standard. By having the same dimensional tolerances for the product. As well as passing any on-site tests that you require to ensure. Not only the quality of the products but the packaging and labeling also.
Among the very important details mentioned in the quality control checklist. It is the classification of known defects into different categories: these are typically known as critical, major, and minor. Depending upon the severity of the defect as well as the overall impact. It has on the quality of the product.
Although there are certain industry standards already prevalent for garments. It is best that you take an active part in classifying defects for your garments. Because it is you, ultimately, who knows best about what you and your customers want out of your garments. Setting the right kind of quality standards in accordance with the image of your brand is extremely important. For example, if you are a high-end brand selling dress shirts for men. You may be much more vigilant about even minor defects. That can impact the visual appearance of the shirt as compared to a shop selling very cheap T-shirts. The standards that you set should comply with other factors of your business. Such as the price point of the products.
Critical defects for garments
These represent the extremely damaging defects to the garment that may either fail to meet mandatory regulations. Or pose a threat to the health and safety of the consumer. Even if a single critical defect is found in the garment. It is likely to result in the rejection of the entire shipment. Because no importer can risk putting the life of his customers at risk. Some of the main reasons why a critical defect results in the immediate rejection of order include the fact the risk:
- Puts consumers at risk of bodily harm
- Threatens the reputation of distributors throughout the supply chain, and
- Exposes the brand to liability and unnecessary costs in the event of a product recall
Example 1:
Finding a needle or any other similar sharp object in the packaging of the garment during product inspection. Due to the nature of the product. It involves being sewn by hand which results in the carelessness of the labor. Resulting in a sharp might object being left behind in the final good when it is packaged.
Example 2:
A splotch of blood on the garment. Suppose the labor cuts himself when cutting the fabric for the garment, and a few drops remain on the garment. This is a critical defect resulting in the immediate rejection of the garment.
Major Defects for Garments
Major defects do not pose a direct threat to the safety of the end-user. But result in the garment not meeting the importer’s specifications. As approved in the golden sample.
These defects can reduce the value of the good by impacting the intended usability of the product. Resulting in a loss of sales as customers return the products. If the numbers of major defects found in the garments are too high. It might result in the importer requesting the manufacturer to hold the shipment. Until these defects are resolved.
Defects
It is possible that the factory workers may be able to rework the garments. In order to fix the defect. In which case the importer will allow the shipment to be sent over following another inspection. To make sure that all the major defects found are resolved. It is also possible for some importers to allow the supplier to send in products. With major defects in them, and then to sell off these products at a discounted price. This is usually for cases where product rework cannot resolve the issue.
Example: the pants manufactured by the supplier do not meet the size chart given by the importer. The supplier will have to alter the products to make sure that the dimensions match those provided by the importer.
Minor defects are those that are typically find in very small quantities. Do not directly impact the salability of the products and are unlikely to be spoty the customer. However, these issues are still not in-line with the requirements order by the importer.
Examples for minor defects found in garments include:
- Misprinting of “small” instead of “Small” on a shipping carton
- Untrimmed threads, missing stitches or uneven stitching on a garment
- Minor variation in shading between garment pieces
- Variation of care label quality or content
- Dirt found on the garment
The Acceptable Quality Limit for Garment Inspection
Unless you’re importing a very luxury brand with a limited quantity of products. It is unlikely that you will be inspecting one hundred percent of the products. Not only would that be extremely costly. But it will also require a lot of time. most businesses. Therefore, rely on the internationally recognized AQL standard.
AQL stands for acceptable quality limits and dictates how many random pieces to inspect based on lot size.
- Determines the maximum number of defects (critical, major and minor) that a sample can have without it being rejected
- The maximum number of defects also depend upon the importer’s quality expectations
It is common for very high-end brands to have a low tolerance for defects keeping in mind their price point. In comparison, very cheap garments are likely to allow a slightly higher margin for defects.
Conclusion
A thorough checklist is vital for making sure that your products meet your intended quality standards and customer’s expectations. It will ensure that the products ship to you are of a consistent quality. So that you do not have to worry about the inconsistency between products in the same range.