A Buyer Checklist for Fabric Quality Inspection

Most fabric disputes are not caused by bad intentions — they are caused by unclear standards agreed too late. A short, written inspection plan agreed before production removes most of the risk.

Agree the Standard Before Production

Confirm appearance standards, acceptable tolerances and defect definitions in writing. Include colour approval (lab dip or bulk dip), GSM tolerance, width and shrinkage limits.

How the 4-Point System Works

A common acceptance limit is 20 points per 100 square yards. Anything above that is normally rejected or negotiated.

Lab Tests Worth Requesting

• Colourfastness to washing, rubbing and light
• Dimensional stability after 3 washes
• Pilling resistance
• Fibre composition verification
• For performance fabric: moisture wicking and stretch recovery

At Final Inspection

• Check roll length and usable width on every roll
• Compare shade bands between rolls, not only within a roll
• Look for running defects, needle lines and holes under proper lighting
• Keep a retained sample of the approved bulk for future reference

Every order we ship includes a test report and an inspection record, so your compliance and sourcing teams have the paperwork they need.