Fabric Inspection in apparel manufacturing

General Inspection Procedures

1. Fabric inspection is done in a suitable and safe environment with enough ventilation and proper lighting.
2. Fabric passing through the frame must be between 45-60 degree angles to the inspector and must be done on appropriate Cool White light 2 F96 fluorescent bulbs above viewing area. The backlight can be used as and when needed.
3.  Fabric speed on inspection machine must not be more than 15 yards per minute.
4.  All fabric inspection must be done when 80% of good or lot is received.
5.  Standard approved bulk dye lot standards for all approved lots must be available prior to inspection.
6.  The approved standard of bulk dye lot must be available before starting inspection for assessing color, hand, weight, construction, finish and visual appearance.
7.  Shade continuity within a roll by checking shade variation between center and selvage and the beginning, middle, and end of each roll must be evaluated and documented.
8.  Textiles like knits must be evaluated for weight against standard approved weight.
9.  Fabric width must be checked from selvage to selvage against the standard.
10.  All defects must be flagged during inspection
11.  The length of each roll inspected must be compared to length as mentioned on supplier ticketed tag and any deviation must be documented and reported to mill for an additional replacement to avoid a shortage.
12.  If yard dyed or printed fabrics are being inspected the repeat measurement must be done from the beginning, middle and end of selected rolls.

Why is fabric inspection important?

Fabric Inspection is an important aspect followed prior to garment manufacturing to avoid rejects due to fabric quality and faced with an unexpected loss in manufacturing.

Fabric inspection is done for fault/defect rate, fabric construction, fabric weight, shrinkage, end to end or edge to edge shading, color, hand feel, length/width, print defect and appearance.

Fabric inspection ensures to minimize the rejection of cut panels or rejected garments due to fabric faults. Cutting inspected and approved fabric ensures not only finished garment quality but also reduce rejects, improves efficiency and timely deliveries.