Fabric inspection is carried out by both fabric manufacturers and garment manufacturers. Fabric inspection is the process of checking the fabric sheet for detecting faults in the fabric and preparing an inspection report. After the fabric inspection, grading of the fabric is done according to the fabric quality level.
In fabric inspection, fabric rolls are opened and passed through a fabric checking machine having the light under the fabric and the fabric checker does the visual inspection of the fabric. While checking fabric checker marks the defects with a chalk or put a sticker on the defects.
At the end of the checking, a fabric roll inspection report is made for that fabricroll. In fabric inspection, fabric rolls are graded and segregated by marking rolls either one of the following categories (in a garment manufacturing unit)
- Passed - these fabric rolls are ready for use
- Failed - Not ready for use in the cutting. Can be accepted after correction.
- Rejected - Not acceptable. rejected fabrics are sent back to the supplier
- Decision pending - Awaiting for approval from the authorized person whether to pass or fail or reject the fabric.
In the textile mills, fabric grading is done different way – like Gold, Silver or grade A, grade B. Textile mills used to send fabric inspection report to their customers with the fabric.
Garment units those don’t have fabric inspection machine, check the fabric on a flat table. While checking the fabric there should be enough light from under thetable and overhead light to detect fabric flaws.
The fabric is a primary raw material for making garments and the costliest item among the items required for garment manufacturing (in most of the apparel product categories). As the standard operating procedure, in textile mills fabrics are checked prior packing fabric and in a garment manufacturing unit fabric is inspected prior to bulk cutting. For inspecting the fabric, garment units use some kinds of inspection systems like the 4-point system, 10-point system or random checking of fabric (5-10% of totalfabric length).
The objective of fabric inspection is delivering quality fabric to the garment makers and making quality garments. A defective fabric will only produce a defective garment. In case a faulty fabric is used in garment making, it will increase the cost of manufacturing due to repair work, part change, and even garment rejection. To avoid processing defective fabric in production, as a preventive action, fabric rolls are inspected. This way defective and damaged fabrics can be separated and sent back to the fabric suppliers.
In case garment unit trusts the fabric supplier for their fabric quality, they may check the fabrics selecting fabricrolls randomly. Some factories used to inspect 10% of total fabric rolls. In case factory found a dissatisfactory result in 10% fabric inspection, they inspect all fabric rolls.
The faults in fabric include weaving defects in woven fabric, knitting defects in knits fabrics, processing defects and handling defects. See the list of defects commonly found in woven fabrics and fabric defects in garments.
Fabric inspection format
In 4-point system following format is used for capturing inspection data and further data analysis.
You can use this format for making fabric inspection report. The process of preparing this format is explained in this post.
FAQs
Fabric inspection is a step of visual examination apart from the performance criteria; It finds various flaws and irregularities. Accordingly, it grades the fabrics as per quality level, fabric weight, shading color, number, and size of the defects.
What is the 4 point inspection of fabric? ›
The 4-Point System provides a means of defining defects according to their severity by assigning demerits or penalty points. The system is under ASTM D5430-93, a standard test method for determining the tensile properties of fabrics.
What is a textile inspector? ›
The textile and apparel inspection procedure also ensures that fabric width, fabric length and fabric appearance (weaving quality, splices, odors) comply with the relevant standards and regulations during the production process.
How to check the fabric quality? ›
How to Check Fabric Quality
- Different Fabrics, Different Standards.
- Fiber Weave. High-quality fabrics feature fibers that are closely and tightly woven together. ...
- Color. A good quality fabric should have a dye job to match. ...
- Thread Count. ...
- Finish. ...
- Price. ...
- Finished Product. ...
- Source.
There are a few basic methods used for testing textile materials. They include physical, mechanical, and chemical testing methods. Physical tests focus more on weather and appearance, mechanical tests check for tension and stress, while chemical tests check for harmful chemical traces and flammable expectations.
What is fabric selection in apparel manufacturing? ›
Fabric selection is a crucial step in designing a project because fabrics are designed for specific applications, a fabric manufactured for one purpose, may not be adaptable for another use. Therefore selecting the appropriate fabric is only the first step in providing serviceable fabrics for apparel manufacturing.
How to calculate fabric inspection? ›
Understanding the 4-Point System for Fabric Inspections
- The 4-Point System.
- How the 4-Point System Works.
- Total defect points per 100 square yard of fabric = (Total defect points in the roll x 36 inches per yard x 100 yards) / (Fabric width in inch x fabric length in yards)
- Acceptable Level.
In the fashion industry, AQL is one of the most frequently used terms, specifically in the apparel export industry. It is referred to as the 'Acceptable Quality Level' and is defined as the percentage of defective pieces which are tolerated/accepted by the buyer from the manufacturer.
What should you look at when evaluating the fabric in a garment? ›
You can also check the softness, smoothness, stiffness, and thickness of the fabric, and see how it feels on your skin. Tactile test can help you assess the durability, elasticity, and breathability of the fabric, and how it will perform in different weather conditions and activities.
What is the 10 point system in fabric inspection? ›
10-Point System:
In this system, penalty points are assigned to defects, based on the following criteria: Basic grading criteria in 10-point system: If total defect points < yardage of the fabric piece inspected, then the fabric is given the 'first' or 'A' grade.
Textile salary in India ranges between ₹ 0.2 Lakhs to ₹ 12.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 2.1 Lakhs. Salary estimates are based on 176 latest salaries received from Textiles.
What do textile factory workers do? ›
Textile manufacturing workers prepare natural and synthetic fibers for spinning into yarn and manufacture yarn into textile products that are used in clothing, in household goods, and for many industrial purposes.
What is the role of fabric inspection? ›
Fabric inspection plays a critical role in maintaining the quality and integrity of textile products. Ensuring that fabrics meet specific standards and performance criteria is essential for various industries, from fashion and apparel to automotive and industrial textiles.
What are the defects in fabric inspection? ›
Needless to say, quality is a must to be inspected. Common defects of fabric include holes, stains, fabric bar, poor finishing, coarse yarn and running knit.
How can you tell if a fabric is 100% cotton? ›
The Burn Test for Cotton Fabric
The fastest way for you to tell if something is pure cotton or not would be for you to use the flame of a candle, or a match. Cotton will not melt, nor will it curl away from the flame.
What is the purpose of fabric analysis? ›
Fabric analysis is the study of the construction, properties, features, orientation and dip of particles within a fabric. Reasons: Identification of face and back side of the fabric. Identification of warp and weft threads.
How does a fabric inspection machine work? ›
Traditional inspection machines are straightforward: fabric is placed on a manually operated machine and passed over a sloped board illuminated from behind to facilitate observation. The machine typically operates at 15-20 meters per minute, making it ideal for special materials or small-scale production.
What is meant by inspection in material management? ›
What is A Material Inspection? A material inspection is the process of examining and evaluating the physical and chemical properties of a material to ensure it meets specific standards, specifications, or product quality.
What is fabric evaluation system? ›
The Kawabata Evaluation System (KES) is the most advanced laboratory testing system for measuring the surface and mechanical properties of fabrics. The KES instruments measure mechanical properties that correspond to the fundamental deformation of fabrics in manipulation that occurs in garment wear.
