Quality Control for Softlines

Contact Us

Softlines

Pro QC’s global team includes quality professionals specializing in the softlines (soft goods) industry. With local knowledge, industry-specific training and hands-on experience, we provide solutions that help reduce cost and ensure the quality and timely delivery of your purchase orders.

With over three decades of experience, we offer expertise in a wide range of industrial sectors. Examples include:

  • Footwear
  • Garments & Apparel
  • Fashion Accessories
  • Soft Toys
  • Textiles & Fabrics
  • Luggage & Bags

 

We provide the following quality solutions

Whether you’re evaluating new partners, or focused on continuous improvement with existing suppliers, Pro QC’s auditors provide timely, detailed feedback regarding process and capability. Our audit reports provide critical insight useful for decision-making.

  • Initial Supplier Evaluations
  • ISO 9001 – General Quality Management System Audits
  • SA8000 – Social Accountability Audits (CSR)
  • ISO 14001 – Environmental Audits (Sustainability)
  • C-TPAT – Security Audits
  • Manufacturing Process Audits

Product Inspections & Testing

Pro QC’s quality engineers leverage their experience and use client-specific product specifications to evaluate orders on-site. Depending on our clients’ needs, we generally use ANSI Z1.4 sampling to perform pre-production, in-process and pre-shipment quality inspections. However, sampling requirements may vary by product. For example, for fabrics (rolls), we use the 4 Point System.Pro QC’s team works closely with each client to ensure inspection criteria is documented and understood by all applicable parties. We accommodate full-time, part-time or single man-day on-site projects as necessary.

A QC inspection of softlines products typically includes :

  • Quantity Verification
  • Visual / Workmanship Evaluation
  • Functional Evaluation (Measurements, Hardware Function, etc.)
  • Packaging Integrity Evaluation (ISTA 1A Drop-Test)
  • Labeling Verification

 

Commonly noted major, minor or critical defects discovered during softlines inspections includes:

  • Defects in appearance, such as marks, fraying fabric or unfinished edges, etc.
  • Defects with seams and stitching, including open seams, incorrect thread selection, skipped stitches, etc.
  • Defects concerning color, such as dye spots and color fastness
  • Defects concerning fabric, such as its material, fabric weight, cuts or tears, slubs or misweaves, etc.
  • Defects concerning sizing, labeling and packaging, such as labels missing or top/bottom sizes are mismatched
  • Defects with polybags that are not marked with applicable child suffocation warnings
  • Defects concerning care label information, content label information, hangtag descriptions, correctness of components or trims, zip teeth smoothness, etc.
  • Defects concerning measurement and fit
  • Defects concerning loose or broken snaps, zippers or other hardware
  • Defects concerning foul odors from dyes or other chemicals used in the process
  • Defects concerning safety, such as pins, needles and staples not being removed

 

Pro QC’s softlines inspectors regularly perform the following evaluations on-site as well:

  • Stitches per inch (SPI) verification
  • Wash test in the factory to make sure the color fastness and shrinkage is acceptable
  • Needle detector checking to make sure no metal is within the garment (Note that the factory must have a detector machine for this evaluation on-site.)
  • Broken stitch record to make sure the broken stitches are under control
  • Child safety using the button fastness test (Note that the factory must have the equipment for this evaluation on-site.)
  • Mechanical safety review on children’s clothing to verify the product meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for small parts, sharp edges, drawcords, etc.
  • Nickel free and pH test, if the chemical reagent is available.

 

In-house laboratory testing of soft goods includes lead and phthalates content evaluation and color fastness.

Depending on the product and intended market, Pro QC uses applicable international standards to ensure requirements are met.

We offer additional services, such as product specification development, sample collection, translation services, etc. Contact us for more information.

Contact Us

Get a Quote Sample Reports  

Pro QC Blog Posts & Related Offerings

Making Sure Your Personal Protective Equipment Suppliers Are Verified
Pro qc Blog

Environmental impacts & solutions within the textile & garment industry

Read more

Medical Device Solutions
Pro qc Blog

Case Analysis: Reducing Risk in Supply Chain Management (Textiles)

Read more

Medical Device Solutions
Pro qc Blog

Textile & Garment Quality: Inspecting a T-Shirt

Read more

Click Below to Improve Product Quality with Pro QC

Contact us

Get a Quote or Book a Service

We will be happy to give you more information about our quality solutions. Please fill in this form to contact us. We will respond as soon as possible.

    File Upload (doc, docx, pdf, jpg or PNG, maximum size 5MB)

    By contacting Pro QC International, you agree to our Privacy Policy.

    Contact Us by Phone

    Follow Us

    Stability

    Pro QC has been providing quality assurance, engineering and consulting services since 1984.

    Global Presence

    We offer quality solutions in over 88 countries and we are continuously expanding our network.

    Timely Feedback

    We offer online reporting and detailed reports within 24 hours of job completion.

    Quality Experts

    Our global engineering team has the requisite industry expertise to verify quality and conformance.

    Contact Back to top
    Pro QC

     

    Quality assurance, supplier development and factory consulting services provided since 1984. We offer solutions in over 88 countries.

    Contact Your Local Office

    North America

    +1 813 252 4770

    Latin America

    +52 81 2721 0928

    India & South Asia

    +91 120 4291971

    Europe, Middle East & Africa

    +33 9 7303 6784

    Germany, Eastern Europe

    +49 172 38 759 50

    Asia & Asia Pacific

    +886 2 2832 2990

    Follow Us

     

    Newsletter

    Global Coverage Local Expertise Local Expertise

    © 2023 Pro QC International | Privacy | Terms of use | Terms of service