Finishing, Quality Control and Packaging
Finishing, Quality Control and Packaging
This domain tests pressing, spotting, inspection, defect grading, measurement checks, packing and labelling. You should know the difference between a critical, major and minor defect and how an AQL plan is used.
Core rules
- Finishing: trim threads, remove stains, press at the correct temperature for the fibre, and cool before folding to avoid shine or moisture marks.
- Inspection: check fabric, measurements, symmetry, seam strength, stitch density, colour and accessories against the specification.
- Defect grading: critical defects are safety or legal failures; major defects are likely to cause a customer complaint or return; minor defects are cosmetic and within tolerance.
- AQL sampling: use the agreed AQL, inspection level and sample-size code; accept or reject the lot on the allowed number of defects, not on the inspector’s impression.
- Packaging: fold to the buyer’s specification, use correct polybag and warning, apply barcode and care label, and pack cartons for transit.
Worked example
A fabric roll is 50 m long and 1.50 m wide. Area = 75 m² = 89.7 square yards. A 4-point inspection records 180 penalty points. Points per 100 square yards = 180 ÷ 89.7 × 100 = 201, far above a typical 20-point acceptance limit. The roll should be rejected or reviewed, not passed because the defects look small individually.
Marks-losing traps
Inspecting only the finished garment; treating every defect as minor; confusing AQL with zero-defect inspection; pressing a synthetic at cotton temperature; packing without checking label and barcode.
Key points
- Press at a temperature suited to the fibre.
- Classify defects as critical, major or minor.
- AQL decisions use sample size and accept/reject numbers.
- 4-point fabric grading uses penalty points per 100 square yards.
- Labels, barcodes and polybag warnings are part of quality.