Introduction
Garment inspection is visually inspecting items randomly from delivery to ensure that they are generally in accordance with instructions/descriptions and appear as described.
The best way to ensure that the garment is of the highest quality is to have unbiased TPI (Third Party Inspection) quality control inspectors conduct factory floor inspections before and after the production phase, just before the garments are dispatched to their target markets.
The key to a good quality control process for garments is to provide the inspectors with precise requirements on your specifications. The EC Global Inspection quality control inspectors follow checklists that outline acceptable standards for any problems that you, the supplier, require. The more thorough these checklists are, the better EC Global Inspection quality control inspectors will be able to uphold the high-quality standards of your garment brand.
How EC Global Inspection Helps On Garment Inspection
Below, we explain some of the ways EC Global Inspection helps with garment inspection:
Performing Professional Garment Dimensions Measurement
When a portion or all of the garment production process is performed by hand, which can lead to significant error margins compared to the accuracy of machined sewing and cutting, it is particularly crucial to ensure that the dimensions of garments adhere to their prescribed dimensions.
Nevertheless, there are bound to be differences in dimensions, regardless of how exact the manufacturing process is. Suppose these are not discovered before the garments leave the production factory. In that case, you risk receiving customer complaints, having entire batches recalled, and eventually seeing brand loyalty decline.
Defining the Allowances for Garment Dimensions
The acceptable allowances for garment dimensions, which establish an acceptable error margin for any flaws or discrepancies identified to “pass” or “fail” garments, should be known to EC Global Inspection quality control inspectors and your supplier.
Depending on their importance to the overall garment, individual components of the garment may have differing allowances for acceptable error margins. For instance, a sleeve that is 1/8 inch too long or short may be considered within an acceptable margin and still pass. In contrast, a discrepancy of 1/2 inch would be considered unacceptable.
Carrying Out Physical Tests on Zippers, Buttons, and Other Accessories
A button coming loose or a zip falling off after only a brief period of use could be signs that the producer is using substandard accessories.
These are the flaws that EC Global Inspection quality control inspectors look for when using physical testing techniques on garment accessories, including ribbons, snaps, zippers, and elastic, such as “fatigue tests” and “pull tests.” In each batch, a specific number of garments are subjected to tests such as:
Pull Test
An EC Global Inspection quality control inspector uses a gauge to pull the accessory for 10 seconds with a predefined level of force to test zippers.
Fatigue Test
The fatigue test establishes whether the accessory can last as long as expected under normal use by the costumer. When testing snaps or buttons, it is common practice to button and unbutton the accessory 50 times before looking for any damage to the garment.
Stretch Test
Testing straps and elastic bands will determine whether they have the right amount of elasticity and can withstand being stretched or pulled. There is just a tiny number of final garments that require stretch testing.
Composition Tests & Fabric Density
Fabrics used to make garments are tested for density or thickness to see if they adhere to the right quality specifications. A manufacturer may not be employing fabric of the standard of quality you have specified to ensure the garment has a sufficient lifespan under typical washing and wearing if the fabric is too thin or not dense enough.
EC Global Inspection quality control inspectors perform three tests on-site for composition tests and fabric density:
Fabric Grams per Square Meter (GSM) Check
EC Global Inspection quality control inspectors employ an electronic balance to measure the GSM of a fabric sample and then compare that measurement with the customer’s specifications.
Fabric Stitches per Inch (SPI) Check
EC Global Inspection quality control inspectors only count sample garments’ stitches in square inches. The more stitches per inch (SPI) a fabric has, the more robust it is and the less likely it is to stretch or tear with regular use and washing.
Material Composition Check
Due to the legal requirements for properly labeling garments, it is crucial to confirm the fabric composition used in garment production. This also helps to ensure that the manufacturer is not using substandard materials. For instance, if a garment label claims that it is made entirely of leather or wool, qualified quality control inspectors must confirm it is true.
EC Global Inspection Performs In-Depth Packaging Inspection
Making sure the packaging is appropriate for the garments so they will arrive at their destination in excellent shape is among the final on-site inspections performed on garments before it is shipped from the factory.
Moisture damage and soiling can result from improper storage and packaging. Desiccant sachets are one-way manufacturers might try to reduce moisture damage. Still, strict rules control the chemicals used to manufacture these moisture-absorbing packets.
Chemical testing should be done in a lab to test for Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF). A secure desiccant sachet ingredient is silica gel. On the other hand, Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) is occasionally used by manufacturers. However, it is prohibited in most developed international markets because of its toxicity and the potential for allergic reactions in consumers of contaminated garments.
Packaging must also adhere to destination market standards, including those outlined by laws that protect consumers in various countries, like clear labeling that informs the consumer of the product’s type, composition, and origin.
Conclusion
Irrespective of your specific requirements, it’s critical that you, your inspection team, and your supplier all know exactly what is expected of them. Current specifications, inspection requirements, and other quality documents must be readily available to all concerned parties. After inspection, make sure to regularly update your product specifications to account for any unexpected quality problems discovered during an inspection and other changes.
Here at EC Global Inspection, we are well-known for our expertise in providing outstanding garment inspections. To know more about us, get in touch with our expert team.
