Page 1 of 5

Apparel Quality
How do you define Quality? ISO: the totality of characteristics of an entity that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs Simply, the customer satisfaction is termed as Quality. Quality is "conformance to requirements"; according to the ISO 9000 procedures. Why is Quality important? Apparel Quality Increasing quality increases cost!! With low quality have: Rework Customer returns Complaints Lost sales Which costs more in the long run?

Business Strategies Something different Latest fashion trends Something better Durability Something cheaper Lowest price Quality vs. Value

Page 2 of 5

Quality Features Physical features What the garment is Performance features What the garment does Design Materials Quality as Marketing Strategy Selling points This shirt is 100% cotton. Buying benefits Because this shirt is 100% cotton, it is cool and comfortable.

Apparel Quality

Intrinsic features
Design, materials, construction, finish Cant be changed without altering the garment

Extrinsic features
Price, image, hanger, hang tags, packaging Can be changed without changing the garment

Why is Price so important? 1. 2. 3. Consumers rely heavily on price as a quality cue. They compare a garments price and perceived quality to determine value. Whether or not a consumer can afford to purchase a particular garment depends on price. Quality Control (QC) It is the process of assuring that products are made according to standards. QC activities tend to focus directly on the production process rather than on quality as a responsibility of the entire firm.

Page 3 of 5

Quality Assurance (QA) Quality assurance activities involve a review of quality of services and the taking of any corrective actions to remove any deficiencies OR Quality assurance is the evaluation of conformance to standards involving performance of all the companys divisions as well as the products and services that are produced by the firm. Difference between Fault & Defect Fault is a problematic area in the garment that is detected only by a trained eye. Defect is the problematic area in the garment that can be detected by an untrained eye. Types of Defects Critical Defects A defect that, if conspicuous on the finished product, would cause the item to be rejected for further use is called critical defect. This kind of defect is observed in products used for the safety purpose. Major Defects A defect that, if conspicuous on the finished product, would cause the item to be a second is called major defect. Examples: Woven Defects: Knitted Defects: Slubs, holes, missing yarns, conspicuous yarn variation, soiled yarn, etc. Mixed yarn, yarn variation, needle line, barre, slubs, holes, etc. Dyeing/Printing Defects: Print out, dye spots, color smear or shading Minor Defects A defect, that would not cause the product to be termed a second either because of severity or location is called minor defect.

Page 4 of 5

Difference between Inspection & Testing Piece Goods Inspection If you want to produce high quality garments, you need high quality piece goods. When a sewing factory receives fabric from the mill, it is difficult to conduct a full 100% inspection of the fabric. Apparel Search recommends a minimum 10% inspection of all piece goods prior to spreading the fabric. Many factories attempt to inspect the fabric during the spreading, but this is probably unrealistic to depend on the spreader to control the fabric quality evaluation. The fabric should be inspected prior to the fabric reaching the cutting tables. Inspection Systems: There are several piece good inspection systems for measuring the quality of fabrics. Ten Point System Dallas System Four Point System Ten-Point System This system was developed in the 1950's. That system assigns penalty points to each defect, depending on the length of the defect. The system is a bit complicated because the points per length vary for warp and filling defects. Dallas System This system was published in the 1970's. That system was developed specifically for knits. According to this system, if any defect was found on a finished garment the garment would then be termed a second. In regard to fabric, this system defines a second as "more than one defect per ten linear yards, calculated to the nearest ten yards." For example, one piece 60 yards long would be allowed to have six defects. Four-Point System This system is used to inspect at least 10 percent of the total rolls in the shipment. Make sure to select at least one roll or each color way. The defect classification works as follows. Size of Defect: 3 inches or less Over 3 inches but not over 6 inches Over 6 inches but not over 9 inches Over 9 inches = = = = 1 2 3 4 point point point point penalty penalty penalty penalty

Note: A maximum of 4 points should be charged to one linear yard. Also, note that only "major" defects are charged.

Page 5 of 5

Defects less than 1 from the selvedge of the fabric will not be counted.

The acceptable score varies. Many companies use 40 points per 100 yards as acceptable defect rate. However, others may find this not acceptable... For example: Total Yardage received: Acceptance Point-count: Total Yards Inspected: Total penalty points found in the 5400 40 per 100 yards 540 sample inspection: 150 points

150 divided by 540 times 100 = 27.77 points per 100 yards (because the allowance is 40 points per 100 yards, this shipment would be acceptable).