Not only does footwear act as a protection against the harsh ground that you walk on, nowadays footwear acts as an integral part in completing your entire look. Consumers want an optimal combination of both style and comfort- this is why the quality of the footwear is a huge determinant of how profitable your business will be. Production of footwear is a rather complex task, especially given the fact that it is dominantly a labor-intensive industry, which means that footwear is inevitably prone to defects. Thus, no matter what kind of shoes you are dealing with, if you want them to be of an adequate quality that will satisfy customers you are highly advised to carry out product inspections.
Highlights of quality control for footwear:
- The inspector must make sure that the shoes fit the measurements of the sample: this includes carefully measuring the insole length, width, toe lift, heel height as well as the back height to ensure that they properly fit the foot.
- It is crucial to check for any issues that might arise in the stitching of the footwear: this includes thoroughly conducting seam strength tests, checking for any signs of fraying, any skipped stitches, feed abrasion marks, or open and crooked stitches. All these defects lower the durability and longevity of the shoes.
- The eyelet inspection comprises of the inspection team examining the shoes for any denting, webbing, or any sharp parts that may cause deformation and looseness of the shoe.
- Another important aspect of the shoe is the heel. To inspect the heel, inspectors examine any signs of denting, webbing, and make sure that the heel is properly attached using nails, screws or staples.
- The on-site tests are also a significant step in ensuring the quality of the footwear being produced. These tests include: and vulcanization tests for rubber outsoles, function and fatigue tests on closures, bonding tests, flex tests, rocking tests, fabric testing and verification of special features like waterproofing and stain resistance
- Without meeting legal requirements, it is impossible to sell footwear. Thereby, a part of the inspection process is to make certain that the footwear being produced meets with all the legal requirements which predominantly include the protective footwear standards, as well as different material composition and labeling requirements.
- Without proper packaging, now matter how well-built shoes are, they will not reach the consumers in the shape and form that you intend. This is why it is important to inspect the packaging and make sure that it is adequate. It will also include looking for proper sizing stickers, tissue paper or paper card form as well as silica gels.
- Lastly, the shoes need to be tested by an accredited laboratory to test shoe properties that are vital to its functioning such as slip resistance, sole wearing resistance and shoelace durability. These labs also help to identify any issues in the fabric used in the footwear, such as harmful substances, colorfastness, flammability, fiber analysis, light exposure, as well as, wet and dry cleaning properties.
Why should you hire ATI for your footwear inspections?
ATI has a team of experienced professionals who have the required background to make sure that they are able to thoroughly inspect the footwear and spot any areas that need improvement.
The following are features exclusive to ATI that ensure high customer satisfaction:
- ATI carries out a thorough inspection and reports back to you within 24 hours.
- The report is easy to understand, yet thorough, with pictures and different categories to help you understand each and every aspect of the footwear in detail.
- Industry-standard sampling and inspection methods that ensure your result reflects the overall quality of the order
- Attention to important checkpoints like shoe sizing, sole bonding and shoe symmetry
- Special importance to your customized requirements- We’ll make sure your products are exactly how you need them to be.
