Quality Checkpoints in Clothing Production: What to Check, and When

Short answer: quality in clothing production is checked at three stages — before production (materials and the approved sample), during production (measurements, workmanship and branding on garments coming off the line) and before dispatch (finished garments, labels and packing). Each check is only as good as the standard behind it, so agree that standard in writing before bulk production starts.

Before production

• Approved sample and written specification on file
• Fabric and trims checked against the specification: composition, weight, colour and quality
• Colour references confirmed, ideally against a physical standard
• Size chart and measurement tolerances agreed

During production

• Measurements checked against the size chart at the agreed points of measure
• Stitching and seam quality, stitch density and finishing reviewed
• Print or embroidery placement, size and quality checked
• Problems found early are corrected before they repeat across the order

Before dispatch

• Finished garments compared with the approved sample
• Labels, hangtags and packaging checked against your instructions
• Folding, packing and carton marking checked
• Quantities checked against the order by style, colour and size

Sampling inspections and AQL

For larger orders, final inspection is often done on a statistical sample rather than every piece. Many buyers use an AQL (acceptable quality limit) based on the ISO 2859-1 sampling tables, which set how many garments to inspect for a given order size and how many defects of each severity are acceptable. If you use AQL, state the inspection level and the limits for major and minor defects in your specification.

How to set a clear standard

1. Approve a sample in writing and keep a reference sample
2. Give a size chart with tolerances for each measurement
3. List what counts as a defect for your product (for example open seams, stains, misplaced logos)
4. Agree how and when inspection results are shared before shipment