Why to do Fabric Inspection (FI) ?
"BUILD GOOD QUALITY INTO THE PRODUCT AT SOURCE THAN REMOVING BAD QUALITY AT FINAL STAGE"
In view of globalization of business, exporters, converters and fabric importers would like to ensure that fabrics supplied to them meet their specifications and standards and thereby they face less customer returns and further to ensure that they face minimum hurdles during further manufacturing/conversion process on account of substandard quality of fabric.

"CONTROL QUALITY AT SOURCE"
The main objective of the inspection is, the detection of defects and non-conformances as early as possible in the manufacturing process, so that time and money are not wasted later on in either correcting the defect or writing off defective goods.

Early detection of defects, feedback of this information to appropriate people and determination of the cause would help in taking corrective actions in the initiative.
Apparel or home furnishing or upholstery whatever be your final merchandise the quality of your final product depends on the quality of the fabric that goes into its making. We have a team of qualified professionals who works towards that you get the right fabric.

Who is it For?
Many a times, the garments manufacturers, exporters, importers/retailers may not have their associates or agents to monitor the progress at the manufacturing centers, which would cost them time and considerable amount of money. Under such circumstances, the clients require the services of a professional service provider to evaluate quality of the fabrics supplied to them at the supply point.

It is a well-accepted fact that, an unbiased INSPECTION of the merchandise by a third party would give credence and enhance controls before the dispatch of the shipments from the factories.

Fabric Importers, Exporters, Converters, Mills, Trade agents. If your raw material is fabric we work towards the right fabric enters your system. You leave this intricate task to our team so that you can concentrate more on your core process.

Techniques
A Detailed visual inspection is carried out with reference to :

• Design/Color/shade/hand feel (against client’s reference sample)
• Yarn defects/weaving defects/processing defects/Fabric defects
• length/width/construction/weight (where required)
• On site Visual inspection of fabric using 4 point system or 10 point system
• On site assessment of fabric construction
• On site and off site color matching with approved sample.

Services
What type of services we offer in Fabric Inspection?

• Final Random Fabric Inspection (Ex-4 % to 20% ordered meters/yards in random)
• Color Evaluation
• LAB-Test Management

Products Cover
What types of Fabrics we cover?

We cover all types of fabric like

• Grey Fabric
• Bleached Fabric
• Dyed Fabric
• Yarn dyed and
• Printed Fabric

Inspection Reports
On completion of the inspection critical defectives are reviewed with the factory representative and a report is sent to the client within 24 hours to enable the client to take a decision on the shipment. We present our inspection results in a comprehensive and user friendly format.

Booking
What we require to conduct this fabric inspection?

We need the following to conduct the Fabric inspection.

• Duly filled Inspection booking form
• Approved samples/ swatches
• Quality Manual (Includes)
• Tolerance (Fabric Width, weight, Construction etc).
• Light source (Primary and Secondary).
• Minimum Spice Length, Maximum / Minimum Roll Length etc.
• Acceptable point count per roll : ……… points per 100 meters or yards.
• Acceptable average shipment points : ……points per 100 meters or yards.
• Packing details
• Factory need to provide “Fabric Inspection Machine”

This Inspection is conducted at the Stage of 15 - 30% merchandise production has been completed.
A good First Article Inspection ( FAI ) Will help to early detect and prevent of Potential problems on Product, Which might creep up & can make serious damage during Production Stage.

Steps Including are as below.

• Random fabric quality checking.
• Fabric Inspection report review.
• Colour & Shade verification against the required standard before starting production.
• Pattern Checking against the measurement Sheet.
• Pattern Marker on layout verification.
• Cut Size Check.
• First Piece Sample Check against the Approved Sample.
• Testing in labs according to the Product Standards.
• AQL Inspection on completed production of 15 to 30%.

This Inspection is conducted at the Stage of 40% - 60% of goods been completed with Production. We Inspect the Semi Finished & Finished Goods thoroughly according to the AQL requirements & advise factory on corrective action Plans to ensure that the Quality of the Product is maintained throughout the production Phase to avoid any shortcomings at the final or at a later Stage.

Why FRI ?

• Findings in the Final Random Inspection can help you to know about your shipment when the shipment is still at manufacturing location like :
• Information on Product Quantity and Quality.
• Compliance with the specifications (PO, Style, Measurements, Labeling& Markings, Functionality , safety and regulatory requirements etc)
• Nature and percentage of defects in the shipment

All this advance information gives advantage to :

• Avoid last minute surprises in shipment & helps to take correction where necessary in timely manner
• Avoid/minimize business risks like costly recalls / corrections in the destination/ Import Country.
• Maintain the positive Brand value and integrity

Is it necessary to do FRI for all your deliveries?
Yes, it is always suggested to have Inspections in all shipments. This helps keep monitoring on the factory's quality level.

• Critical situations where Inspection is Must;
• In case of the value of shipment is higher and quantities are more.
• When you are making 100% advance payment prior to receiving merchandise.
• While working first time with the factories.
• If you have faced any quality issue with particular factory in the recent past shipments or their submitted samples.
• High Risk - Regulatory /Safety products Example Infants/ Kids

Disclaimer - Inspection is not Insurance or guarantee for all quality related issues, it is a tool with certain risk factors due to Random sampling & statistical methods.

What is FRI ?
FRI stands for Final Random Inspection. It is also called as Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI) or Final Inspection.

This Inspection is normally conducted :
At on-site or source where product is manufactured and sometimes at forwarder's premises.
At the stage when 100% production is completed and at least 80% goods are completely packed in cartons and ready for shipment.

This Inspection is conducted on the standards of internationally recognized ANSI/ASQC Z1.4-2008 (Equivalent to MIL-STD-105 E, ISO 2859) statistical sampling procedures.

The Final Random Inspection covers various aspects of the production; (Refer techniques page for details).

All these inspections are carried out in an accurate and detailed manner by experts who are having knowledge in products and inspection techniques. The actual findings during the Inspection are marked in the Arts detailed report and sent to the customer within 24 working hours for their final decision on the shipment.

Your Ears & Eyes in the Factory
The report of Final Random Inspection mentioned with the findings of all aspects of product quality in a detailed manner helps customer to view the product standards from their place instead of travelling or visiting the manufacturing country/ locations to take decisions of shipment.

Techniques
Customized QC checklist for each inspection is prepared based upon contract specifications, customer/ regulatory / safety requirements, and product category before a day of Inspection date.

The Final Random Inspection covers below aspects of the production;

• Quantity Check against PO/ Packing List
• Product style/appearance/description - Whether is it same as what ordered or approved sample etc
• Workmanship (Visual Inspection)
• Measurement / weight / specification,
• Inner packing / Labelling / Packing and Packaging / Shipping marks etc
• And On site test which includes Functionality / safety/ Regulatory etc

Workmanship Check
The products are randomly pulled as per the sample size, the QC will check the products visually against customer approved sample or contract specification and all non-conformities are record based on below category of defects;

• Critical defect : Critical defects are those that render the product unsafe or hazardous for the end user or that contravenes mandatory regulations.
• Major Defect : Major Defects can result in the product's failure, reducing its marketability, usability or saleability.
• Minor Defect : Minor defects do not affect the product's marketability or usability, but represent workmanship defects that make the product fall short of defined quality standards.

ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL
Generally for the workmanship check, Internationally most widely followed AQL - Accept or Reject criteria for consumer goods is: critical 0.0, Major 2.5 and Minor 4.0 defectives for consumer goods. However, the customers are free to choose any other AQL depending upon the product category, as they feel appropriate.

Who is it for ?
Any one from small supplier to multinational retailer who need to ensure their merchandise quality - eg consumer goods, except Food - (click here to know full Arts product coverage), quality at source particularly in Asia (click here to exact coverage locations).

Some of Arts client's categories are

• Importers
• wholesalers
• Retailers
• E-com
• catalogue
• Brand owners
• Buying office
• Trading company and agents
• Exporters
• Manufacturer