Quality problems discovered in your warehouse are ten times more expensive than problems caught on the production line. This is the practical QC checklist professional denim buyers use — and the one we run internally at ASF Moda on every order, piece by piece.
Measurements and fit
- Waist, hip, front and back rise, inseam, thigh and leg opening against the spec sheet with agreed tolerances.
- Check after washing — shrinkage must already be compensated in the pattern.
- Try-on on a live model or form for every size at least once per order.
Construction and seams
- Stitch density (SPI) consistent with the approved sample; no skipped or broken stitches.
- Felled seams flat and even; no twisting of the leg seam.
- Bar tacks present at all stress points: pocket corners, fly, belt loops.
- Seam strength spot-tests on inseam and seat.
Wash, hardware and appearance
- Wash shade within the approved band across the whole batch — lay garments side by side.
- Whiskers and distressing placed consistently; no accidental damage.
- Zippers cycle smoothly; buttons and rivets seated tight; no sharp edges.
- No stains, streaks, loose threads or untrimmed ends; interior as clean as exterior.
Labels, packing and documentation
Verify brand, size, care and origin labels — content and position. Check barcodes scan correctly, polybags and cartons match the packing list, and export documents align with the shipment. A boring checklist — until customs holds a container over a mislabelled carton.
Frequently asked questions
What AQL level is standard for denim?
AQL 2.5 is the common commercial standard for major defects. Premium programs often run tighter internal standards — full piece-by-piece inspection instead of statistical sampling.
When should QC happen during production?
Three times: fabric inspection before cutting, in-line checks during sewing, and final inspection after washing and pressing. End-only QC finds problems too late to fix cheaply.
Can I hire third-party QC for a Turkish factory?
Yes, inspection agencies operate across Turkey. With a transparent full-cycle factory you can also simply attend final inspection yourself — Istanbul is a short flight from most of Europe.