KOL Quality has a best practice inspection checklist for softgoods, and it includes the following key elements:
In our inspection services, we meticulously monitor the humidity and temperature of the warehouse to ensure it meets the required conditions for storing clothing, apparels, garments, fashion, textile, and softgoods. This step is crucial in maintaining the quality of the products. Additionally, we assess the cleanliness of the facilities, as a well-managed environment reflects a reliable supplier and enhances overall quality control inspection.
During our product inspection, we verify the product quantities against the packing list to confirm the packing and finishing percentages. This inspection process ensures that the correct quantities and assortment according to size and color are maintained.
Our shipment inspection includes a thorough check of the carton size, thickness, and weight, along with performing a drop test to assess the strength. We verify the sealing method used for the cartons and inspect all relevant details on the shipping mark. The inspection criteria also cover the polybags, checking for thickness, airholes, color, odor, and printing quality. We ensure the presence of desiccants in the boxes and verify the correctness of labels, tags, barcodes, and size stickers, adhering to strict inspection standards.
In our pre-shipment inspection, we compare bulk goods with approved samples and digital photos to ensure consistency. We examine the quality of materials or fabrics, workmanship, and any effects from washing and pressing. Our inspection methodology includes checking accessories such as buttons and zippers for proper fit and smooth operation. We also perform measurements according to the size chart and mark any points of measurement (POM) that are out of tolerance, following a the designers’ measurement chart.
Our third-party quality inspection services include special tests such as the color shading test, where we check color consistency using a grey card and across bulk quantities. We conduct a button tension test, especially important for children’s clothing, to ensure buttons can withstand the required tension. Our inspection procedures also involve metal detection tests using machines or handheld devices to check for any unwanted metal in the garments. Finally, we perform a fitting test to verify that the garment’s cutting and production provide a proper fit according to the designer’s expectations.
By following these comprehensive inspection guidelines, we ensure that the garments meet the highest quality standards, providing peace of mind to our clients and maintaining the quality of their products and brands in the competitive eCommerce market.
Critical Defects | Safety – broken needle, mildew, insects or bugs, wet, odor etc. Packaging and label – incorrect or missing of regulatory required label such as fiber composition, incorrect thickness of poly bag, warning clause etc. |
Major Defects | Salability – obvious fabric defects, missing accessories, poor workmanship, permanent mark, wrong and weird cutting |
Minor Defects | Deviate from requirements but not affect salability – improper folding excessive threads, removable marks, wrong printing |
Pre-shipment inspection is the best practice to manage the quality of production if you are buying a significant quantity of products. Normally buyers spend 3-5% of cost of product in pre-shipment inspection. The benefits of pre-shipment inspection include but not limited to the following:
There are several parties can help to perform pre-shipment inspection and the pros and cons are illustrated as below:
| Pros | Cons | Best Practice |
Third party inspection company | – Impartial – Only represent you – Resourceful – Professional – Good after sales service – Systematic – Clear whistle blower channel | – Not worth for low shipment value
| If your shipment is worth more than USD 4,000 or if you have faced quality problem before, it is worth to buy inspection service from third party inspection company |
Sourcing/Trading Company | – Can be focus – Resourceful – Good after sales service
| – Usually they represent both buyer and factory – Not professional in quality control | If your shipment value is lesser than USD 4,000, you may delegate the inspection job to sourcing/trading company by setting up a good resolution contract |
Individual/Freelancers | – Lesser cost – Can be professional – Can be flexible | – Lack of systematic approach – Vary service quality depends on the individual’s ability – Risk of no after sales service | If you have been introduced to a trustable individual/freelancer and you have done the due diligence. |
Factory self-inspection | – Save cost – Professional in product making | – Potential of negligence as no other perspective to check the quality – Conflict of Interest | If this is a continuous lot of production, there is no significant changes of production and no quality issues in first shipment. Occasional inspection by third party is advice. |
Firstly you will be contacted by a quality facilitator to discuss your product and the quality checking criteria. Once you place order to the supplier, you are encouraged to share the contact of supplier with the quality facilitator as he/she will help you to follow up on the production schedule and arrange for the inspection once the product is ready for pre-shipment inspection. A pre-shipment inspection shall be conducted when 100% product is finished produced and 80% is packaged.
A pre-shipment inspection shall be conducted when 100% product is finished produced and 80% is packaged. For first inspection, you are advised to contact us 5 working days in advanced as our quality facilitator will tailor made a best plan for you.
KOL Quality has built a library of checking criteria for a broad range of products. Having said that, we believe all products are unique to the brands and our quality facilitator love to discuss the checking criteria together with you.
You will normally get the pre-shipment inspection report within 24 hours in working days (Monday to Friday).
We will inform you the result on the same day of inspection if the result is failed and we advise you to discuss with suppliers for a resolution or rework plan. Quality facilitator from KOL Quality is always aside if you need help in the communication.
