# Garment inspection checklist: major and minor defects > What our inspectors check on garments: critical, major and minor defects, seam and colour fastness tests, measurements, labels and EU, UK and US marks. Source: https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/apparel-and-textiles/ Inspection checkpoints · Apparel # Garment inspection: what we check. A garment inspection checks workmanship, measurements, labels and packing on a random sample drawn to ANSI/ASQ Z1.4. Below is exactly what our inspectors look for on apparel and fabrics, and how each defect is classed. [Book an inspection](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/book-an-inspection/?product=Apparel%20and%20textiles) [Open the checklist](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/inspection-checklist/?cat=apparel) 18 defects we look for 6 on-site tests 0 / 2.5 / 4.0 typical AQL Apparel and textiles **Critical** Broken needle, needle fragment or other metal left in the garment **Major** Hole, cut or tear; open, broken or skipped stitches on a seam **Minor** Untrimmed thread ends T-shirts, shirts, dresses, knitwear, denim, outerwear, sportswear, childrenswear and fabrics by the metre. Defects by class ## Critical, major, minor: how we class them. Each defect in the sample is photographed and counted in its class. Your AQL plan sets how many are allowed; for critical defects the answer is none. AQL 0 ### Critical defects Likely to injure the user or breaks a mandatory rule of the destination market. One critical defect in the sample means the lot is not accepted. * Broken needle, needle fragment or other metal left in the garment * Sharp edge or point on a button, rivet, zip or trim * Children’s wear: cords or drawstrings at the hood or neck outside EN 14682 (EU and UK) or 16 CFR 1120 (US) * Children’s wear: button, snap or trim that comes off in the pull test * Mould, or live insects in the garment or carton AQL 2.5 typical ### Major defects Likely to cause a failure, reduce usability or make the product unsaleable, so a customer would return it. * Hole, cut or tear; open, broken or skipped stitches on a seam * Measurement outside tolerance at a key point: chest, length, waist, hip or inseam * Shade difference between panels of one garment, or against the approved colour * Wrong or missing size, care or fibre composition label * Zip that does not run; button or snap missing or not closing * Stain or oil mark in a prominent area (zone A: front and upper body) * Stripes or checks mismatched at the front; twisted leg or body AQL 4.0 typical ### Minor defects A departure from the specification that does not affect use and is unlikely on its own to cause a return. * Untrimmed thread ends * Slightly uneven stitch density or light puckering away from the front * Small mark in a less visible area that cleans off * Pressing creases or shine * Label slightly off position but fully legible * Small slub or knot in the fabric in a hidden area Your specification and approved sample decide the final class. Where a buyer defines zones (for example, zone A for the most visible surfaces), a defect in zone A is usually classed higher than the same defect in a hidden area. On-site tests ## Tests we run at the factory. 1. 01 **Seam strength pull test** Stress seams (crotch, armhole, side seam) pulled at the force in your specification. 2. 02 **Colour fastness to rubbing** Dry and wet white cloth rubbed on dark shades and graded against the grey scale. 3. 03 **Fabric weight (GSM)** Round cutter and scale, compared with the fabric specification. 4. 04 **Button and snap pull test** Pull gauge on children’s wear at the value in your specification or standard. 5. 05 **Fit check** Base size on a dress form or fit model, where agreed. 6. 06 **Barcode scan** Hangtag and polybag barcodes decode and match the SKU and size. Measurements ## Points we measure. Measurement points for apparel and textiles Point| How we measure ---|--- Chest width| 1 cm below the armhole, laid flat Body length| From the high point shoulder Sleeve length| Shoulder point to cuff edge Waist and hip| Relaxed, laid flat Inseam| Crotch point to hem (trousers) Neck opening| Stretched and relaxed, knits Unit: cm unless stated. We measure at least five units per size or version against your specification and tolerances, and report every reading. Packing and labelling ## Packed right, labelled right. * Folded to the folding instructions, with tissue, clips and inserts as specified * Size stickers on polybags match the garment inside * Polybags carry a suffocation warning where required * Solid or mixed assortment matches the packing list by size and colour * Hanging garments: hangers, sizers and covers as specified * Cartons dry, sealed, marked and within the weight limit * Shipping marks, carton count, gross weight and dimensions agree with the packing list Market marks ## What your market expects. EU Fibre composition with the names in Regulation (EU) 1007/2011; care symbols to ISO 3758 are standard practice. UK Fibre composition under the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012. US Fibre content, country of origin and maker identity (name or RN) under the Textile Act; permanent care label under the FTC Care Labeling Rule. Australia Permanent care label under the care labelling information standard. Children’s wear Cords and drawstrings: EN 14682 in the EU and UK; 16 CFR 1120 in the US. We check marks and documents against your specification. Your compliance team or test lab confirms which rules apply to your exact product. How we inspect it ## On the floor, step by step. We check the order is finished and at least 80% packed, draw cartons at random, then inspect every garment in the sample on a lit table against the approved sample and your size spec. Stress tests and measurements use separate units so the sample stays saleable. Suggested planLevel II with AQL 0 / 2.5 / 4.0 suits most apparel. Premium lines often tighten major to 1.5. * [Sampling**AQL sampling planner** Sample size and accept numbers for AQL 0 / 2.5 / 4.0.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/aql-sampling-planner/?lot=3500&level=II&crit=0&major=2.5&minor=4.0) * [Checklist**Apparel inspection checklist** A printable form with these checks, ready for your inspector.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/inspection-checklist/?cat=apparel) * [Testing**Test advisor** Which lab tests your product needs before it ships.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/test-advisor/) * [Report**See an example report** A full pre-shipment report, page by page.](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/sample-report/) Other categories * [Home textiles](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/home-textiles/) * [Metal hardgoods](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/metal-hardgoods/) * [Plastic products](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/plastic-products/) * [Electronics and electricals](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/electronics/) * [Furniture](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/furniture/) * [Leather goods and footwear](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/leather-goods-and-footwear/) * [Ceramics and glass](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/ceramics-and-glass/) * [Toys](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/toys/) * [Packaging](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/packaging/) Apparel inspection questions ## Straight answers. Anything else, ask us directly. A principal replies, not a bot. [anirudh@sourcesquid.co](mailto:anirudh@sourcesquid.co) ### What is a major defect in a garment? A defect that would make a customer return the garment or stop it selling: a hole, an open seam, a measurement outside tolerance, a wrong size label or a clear shade difference. Minor defects, such as untrimmed threads, do not affect use. ### What AQL is used for garment inspection? Most apparel buyers use General Inspection Level II with AQL 0 for critical, 2.5 for major and 4.0 for minor defects. For an order of 3,500 pieces that means inspecting 200 garments. ### How many garments do you measure? At least five pieces per size and colour, at every point on your size spec, plus any garment that looks off during the visual check. Without a spec, we measure against the approved sample and report the differences. Book a check ## Your apparel, checked point by point. Tell us the product, the factory and the date. We confirm the inspector and the fixed price the same working day. [Book an inspection](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/book-an-inspection/?product=Apparel%20and%20textiles)[Talk to a principal](https://sourcesquid.co/contact/)