In today’s time, customers are very particular about what they want from a brand. As a result, maintaining high product quality has become more important than ever. This is one aspect of the business that cannot be ignored in any situation, regardless of the type or size of the business. Especially in the apparel industry, which is one of the fastest-evolving ones, product quality remains the key to success. Effective quality control is the only way to achieve that and offer your customers what they are looking for.
What is Quality Control?
Quality inspection can be defined as a detailed assessment of various characteristics of the end product to ensure the desired quality. In apparel manufacturing, this process involves the quality assessment of a single product at different stages. It starts with an extensive quality inspection of raw materials, followed by an assessment of the production line, and then ends when the finished product gets checked properly. As a part of this process, the QC team maintains a complete record of all the captured defects so that they can be resolved. This helps the manufacturer ensure that all the end products match the specific standards that have already been put in place.
Different Stages of Quality Control:
There are several different steps in the quality control process of an apparel manufacturing business. These steps can vary from one business to another, depending on its specific requirements. However, there are a few stages of quality control that remain the same for every business. These are:
1. Pre-production
This is the first and most important stage of quality control. As the name suggests, this quality inspection takes place right before the raw material goes on a product line. At this stage, all the raw materials, including the fabric and all other accessories, are thoroughly examined. They will be moved to the production floor only if they meet quality standards.
2. Mid-production (In-line Inspection)
This quality inspection is performed when a particular product is somewhere on the production line. At this stage, an assessment is done to ensure that the product is being manufactured as per the given specifications. This also helps in checking if the standard quality is being maintained throughout the production process or not. Mid-production quality assessment helps with the early detection of any quality-related issues. It not only minimizes the chances of any delays but also reduces product waste to a significant level.
3. Post-production (End-line Inspection)
Post-production inspection is the last step of the entire quality control process. It is performed on products that are at the end of the production line and ready to be shipped. This helps to make sure that the end product is free from any kind of defect.
By now, you must’ve understood that effective quality control is an integral part of the manufacturing process in every apparel business. However, performing all the different steps involved in the quality control process manually is not only a tedious task but also leaves room for errors. To overcome challenges like untimely deliveries and a lower accuracy percentage, businesses are now taking the digital route. By using reliable quality control software, apparel manufacturing businesses can streamline their quality control process. The QCs can record a defect as soon as it is captured, and corrective measures can be taken at an early stage.
How Can LT Labs Help?
LT Labs offers a cloud-based solution for quality control, LTquality, that has been specifically designed for apparel businesses. It can streamline the quality inspection process to ensure high quality standards for all the end products. Using LTquality, the QCs can capture any defective products on the sewing lines and report them in real time. This allows the production team to take immediate action to resolve all such issues.
Key Benefits
• Achieve Zero Defects
• Excel Shipment Targets
• Reduce Operational Costs
Key Features
• Fabric Inspection
o Inspection Console
o Defect Photos
o Reporting
o Flexible Integration
o Fabric Type Criteria
• General Inspection (Pre-Production)
• In-line and End-line Inspection
o Real-time Dashboard
o Track Good Quality Output
o Improve Product Quality
o Improve Sewing Line Productivity
• Digital Traffic Light System
o Real-time data for quick response
o Operator TLS promotes ownership
o Configurable Traffic Light Setting
o Smarter Decision-making
At LT Labs, you can explore an extensive range of software to be used in the apparel industry. We can help you find a cloud-based solution that matches the specific requirements of your business.