Quality Control Checklist for Cardigans From Bangladesh

A cardigan is worn open, closed, buttoned, and pulled on and off through the day, and most of its quality problems show at the front. A closed knit can hide a weak join. A cardigan cannot, because the front edges meet in full view, the closure is worked every time it is worn, and pockets, collar, and front band are on display at once. This checklist starts at that front opening, then covers knit, measurements, color, surface, lab evidence, labels, and packing.

Why this checklist matters

Cardigan faults concentrate where the garment opens and closes. One garment inspection account lists lapel faults that include a skewed collar, an exposed collar base, and mismatched collar tips, plus a twisted placket.¹ Those faults are visible at first wear.

The closure is also a working part. A garment checklist lists buttons as attached, aligned, and pull-strength tested, and zips as operating smoothly without catching.² A button that loosens after repeated fastening is a failure even when the knit is sound.

A checklist also settles, before production, what counts as a fault and who decides. A sweater inspection account describes pre-production, in-line, and final checks.³ For cardigans, add the front opening to each stage.

Before you start

Gather the reference set first.

• Approved sample and tech pack. Keep the sealed, approved cardigan with its tech pack, yarn details, gauge, stitch structure, closure type, button or zip specification, pocket construction, and finishing route. A first-sample guide advises reviewing a knit garment in this order: silhouette and fit, hand feel, surface and density, measurements, then make-up and finishing.⁴

• Closure specification in writing. State whether the cardigan closes with buttons, a zip, or another closure, plus closure size, color, number, and spacing.

• Measurement method in writing. State each point, the lay-flat condition, and whether the cardigan is measured open or closed, relaxed or stretched.⁴

• Defect list with classes. Write which faults count as critical, major, or minor for this cardigan, with photos for borderline cases.

• Sampling plan in writing. Record the standard, inspection level, and AQL values the buyer has specified per defect class, plus the action on a fail.⁵ AQL figures here are buyer-specified values only, never a universal rule for cardigans.

• Light, wash, and test details. Record the light source for color, the wash cycle for shrinkage and rib recovery, and the lab method for each test.³

The full checklist (numbered, printable)

Work through the list in order, marking each item pass, fail, or not applicable, and photograph each fail.

1. Front opening alignment. Closed, the front edges meet without overlap, gap, or step at the hem.

2. Front band width and stability. Band width is even from neck to hem, and the band lies flat.

3. Button placement and spacing. Each button sits at its specified position, spacing is even, and end buttons sit at the specified distance from neck and hem.

4. Button attachment. Each button is secure, with no loose thread or cracked button.²

5. Buttonhole size and finish. Each buttonhole is cut cleanly, and each button passes through its own buttonhole without forcing.¹

6. Button and buttonhole match. Button color, size, and type match the approved sample.

7. Zip operation, where specified. Where a zip is specified, it runs the full length without catching, and the tape lies flat.²

8. Collar and lapel shaping. Collar and lapel shape match the sample on both sides, with no skewed collar or mismatched tips.¹

9. Neck opening and back neck. Neck opening matches the chart, and the back neck lies flat.

10. Pocket placement and symmetry. Pocket height, distance from the front edge, and size match left and right.¹

11. Front length, left and right. Front length is measured on each panel separately, and the two sides match the chart and each other.

12. Back length. Back length is measured the same way.

13. Chest width, closed. Chest width is measured closed, in the agreed lay-flat condition, against the chart and tolerance.

14. Shoulder width and slope. Shoulder width and slope match the chart, left and right.

15. Sleeve length and cuff width. Sleeve length and cuff width match the chart, and both sleeves match each other.

16. Yarn and knit structure. Fiber content, yarn count, and stitch structure match the tech pack.

17. Gauge and stitch density. Gauge and stitch density match the sample, checked close up and at normal distance.⁴

18. Rib recovery at cuffs and hem. Cuff and hem ribs recover after gentle stretch and join the body without a step.

19. Color against the standard. Color matches the standard under the agreed light, and shade matches between body, band, collar, pockets, and ribs.

20. Surface and fabric faults. Holes, snags, pulls, stains, distortion, and uneven tension are checked front, back, inside, and along the band and pocket edges.

21. Linking and seams. Linking alignment, seam ridges, skipped stitches, and loose ends are checked at shoulder, armhole, side, and rib joins.³

22. Shrinkage and dimensional change. The same points are measured before and after the agreed wash cycle, against the buyer-specified allowance. No universal shrinkage percentage is stated here.³

23. Pilling and colorfastness evidence. Lab reports cover pilling and colorfastness under the named methods, against the buyer specification.

24. Labels, hangtags, and barcodes. Label content, spelling, and position are correct, the size label matches the measured size, and barcodes scan where required.²

25. Folding, packing, and carton marks. Folding keeps the band flat, polybag size and sealing match the packing list, and carton assortment, dimensions, weight, and marks match the packing instructions.

26. Sampling decision. The agreed plan is applied to the finished, packed lot, and the lot is decided only on counts against the agreed acceptance numbers.

Common failures and how to fix them

Front band that rolls or twists. Check band width and gauge against the sample, then correct the band construction.

Buttons that do not align with their buttonholes. Re-measure button and buttonhole positions on the same closed cardigan.

Buttonholes that fray or will not close cleanly. Rework the buttonhole construction, and check each button through its own hole after the fix.¹

Collar or lapel that sits unevenly. Check collar shaping on the sample first, and correct the collar join.¹

Pockets that sit at different heights or bag open. Measure both pockets from the same points, front edge and hem, and check the pocket bag after closing.¹

Ribs that lose recovery at cuffs or hem. Check rib recovery in the same condition used for the sample.

Shade variation between band, collar, and body. Band, collar, and body may come from different lots. Sort by shade only if the buyer specification allows it.

Zip that catches or will not run straight. Where a zip is specified, check tape alignment and slider operation on the closed cardigan.

Wrong or missing labels and barcodes. Check content, spelling, position, size match, and barcode scan on sampled units in each size.

Downloadable template / summary table

No file download is offered with this article. Copy the table below into your own inspection sheet, add your buyer-specified tolerances and AQL values, and use one row per group.

For the sampling row, use the standard table values for your agreed plan. As a published example only, the Exportain AQL guide gives, for a lot of 281 to 500 units at General Inspection Level II, a sample size of 50, with acceptance and rejection numbers of 3 and 4 for major defects at AQL 2.5 and 5 and 6 for minor defects at AQL 4.0.⁵ Those numbers are buyer and supplier agreed, not standard-mandated for apparel.⁵ A pre-shipment inspection is a sampling inspection, not a check of every piece and not a guarantee.⁶

How Exportain helps

Exportain does not inspect goods itself, and its supplier checks are document and photo reviews, not factory inspections.⁶

Use Exportain to put the checklist into the order. Post the cardigan requirement, including the sample reference, closure type and spacing, front-band and pocket specification, measurement method, defect list, lab test methods, and sampling plan. Note that the Exportain inspection services category page currently renders "No services published in this category yet", so do not rely on that page for a listed provider: arrange inspection directly with a provider.

FAQs

When should this checklist be used?

Use it at three points: on the first sample, during production, and on finished, packed goods before shipment.³ Check the front band, closure, collar, and pockets at each point.

Who should complete it?

The buyer, the supplier, and any third-party inspector should all work from the same checklist. The supplier checks its own work; the buyer, or an inspector working to the buyer's checklist, makes the sampling decision.

What are the most common failures?

The most common failures here are a front band that rolls or twists, buttons that do not align with their buttonholes, buttonholes that fray, a collar or lapel that sits unevenly, pockets at different heights or bagging open, ribs that lose recovery, shade variation between band, collar, and body, a zip that catches, and wrong or missing labels. Each is listed above with its fix.

Can a third party do it?

Yes. A pre-shipment inspection is usually arranged through an independent third-party firm, and whoever books it is the firm's client and receives the report, so if you book it, the inspector works to your checklist.⁶ Give the firm the purchase order, specification, sample details, closure and pocket specification, measurement chart, and packing requirements.

Next steps on Exportain

Write the cardigan closure, front-band, pocket, measurement, defect, and sampling specification into one requirement, then read the AQL guide and the pre-shipment inspection guide before you set values. Post the requirement through RFQs.