Quality Control Checklist for Cotton T-Shirts From Bangladesh
A printable quality control checklist for cotton T-shirts from Bangladesh: measurements, defect classification, label checks, tests and packing checks before shipment.
Short answer
A cotton t-shirts quality control checklist turns an approved T-shirt specification into pass-or-fail checks an inspector can complete before shipment from Bangladesh. Work through quantity, fabric and color, measurements, workmanship, labels and packing on a sample drawn from across the order, classify defects as critical, major or minor, and compare the counts with the AQL acceptance numbers agreed in advance.
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Key takeaways
Judge every check against the approved sample, tech pack and purchase order, never against memory.
Draw the sample from across the order and from packed cartons, not only from pieces the factory selects.
Classify defects as critical, major or minor and compare counts with the AQL acceptance numbers agreed in advance.
Check labels against the destination rules for fiber content, origin and care before goods are packed.
Correct, re-inspect and record both results for every failure found before shipment.
Use this cotton t-shirts quality control checklist before a shipment of cotton T-shirts leaves Bangladesh. It turns your approved specification β style, measurements, fabric, colors, print and packing β into pass-or-fail checks on sampled pieces and packed cartons, recorded against the purchase order.
A chest measurement that drifts in one size, shade variation inside one color, a crooked print or a wrong size ratio in a carton will pass a casual look and fail at the warehouse. This checklist prevents that by judging every point against the approved sample and tech pack, not against memory.
Why this checklist matters
A T-shirt order is made in large quantities, in several sizes and often several colors, so one error repeats across hundreds of pieces. One incorrect measurement point can affect an entire size, and one mixed fabric lot can create shade differences across a color.
A written checklist helps in three ways. First, it gives the buyer, the factory and any independent inspector the same standard, so a disagreement becomes a question of evidence. Second, it finds problems while they can still be corrected before shipment, while the same problems after shipment become claims or lost repeat orders. Third, it leaves a dated record linked to the purchase order, which supports the acceptance decision.
Sampling makes the check practical on a large order. ISO 2859-1 defines a system of acceptance sampling plans for inspection by attributes, indexed by acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-by-lot inspection, so an inspector checks a sample and applies set acceptance and rejection thresholds instead of checking every piece.1 See AQL β Acceptance Quality Limit.
Before you start
Do not start until the references are in the room. An inspection without them is only an opinion. Gather:
The purchase order: style, colors, sizes, quantities, destination and packing instructions.
The approved pre-production sample and any later approved sample.
The tech pack: measurement chart with tolerances, fabric composition and weight, stitch details, label and trim requirements, and print artwork.
Approved color references, such as lab dips or a swatch for each color.
Measuring tools: a flexible tape, a ruler for print placement, and a flat, well-lit table.
The agreed acceptance standard: AQL levels, inspection level and defect definitions, recorded in writing before sampling begins.
A camera for defect photographs.
Confirm the quantity presented. Goods should be complete, or at the stage agreed, and cartons accessible so the sample is drawn from across the order, not only from top cartons. If production is still running, record that fact: part-finished goods cannot be reported as a final result. See also how to import cotton T-shirts from Bangladesh.
The full checklist
Work in order. Tick each point, record measurements and defects, and photograph anything that fails.
A. Quantity and style verification
Style number, description and colors match the purchase order.
Total quantity, and quantity per size and color, match the order, allowing only variations the buyer has approved in writing.
The product matches the approved sample for fabric hand feel, construction, trims and finish.
B. Fabric and color
Fabric composition and appearance match the approved swatch, with no holes, stains or knitting faults beyond the approved standard.
The color of the body fabric, ribbing and trims matches the approved reference under consistent, neutral light. Check every color for shade variation within and between pieces.
Print or embroidery, where used, matches the approved artwork for design, colors, size and placement. Check adhesion by gently stretching the print area on sampled pieces.
C. Measurements
Measure sampled pieces flat, without stretching, at every point on the buyer's chart β typically chest, body length, shoulder, sleeve length, neck width and hem.
Record each measurement against its size and tolerance. Flag any point outside tolerance and measure further pieces in that size.
Check that left and right sides are symmetrical, and that measurements are consistent across colors in the same size.
D. Workmanship and defects
Seams are complete, even and secure, with no skipped or broken stitches, open seams or untrimmed threads.
Shoulder, side, sleeve and hem stitching is straight. Hems are even and do not twist.
The collar or neck rib sits flat, is evenly attached and returns to shape after gentle stretching. Shoulder reinforcement is present if the order specifies it.
No stains, oil marks, dirt, holes, snags, needle damage or shiny pressing marks appear on sampled pieces.
Buttons, snaps or other trims, where specified, are correct, securely attached and complete, with spares if the order requires them.
Classify every defect as critical, major or minor under the standard agreed beforehand. In apparel practice, a critical defect is a safety hazard or legal violation and is held to zero tolerance, a major defect affects function, fit or appearance β for example a measurement out of tolerance, an open seam or a missing label β and a minor defect is cosmetic only, such as a loose thread end. Common apparel thresholds are AQL 0 for critical, 2.5 for major and 4.0 for minor defects.2
E. Labels and simple functional checks
Size labels match the actual size of the garment.
Fiber-content and origin labels match the ordered fabric and the destination rules. For goods sold in the United States, the Federal Trade Commission states that labels must accurately reflect fiber content and country of origin, must show the name or registered identification number (RN) of the manufacturer or marketer, and apparel labels must also show a safe cleaning method.3
Care symbols match the approved label artwork. ISO 3758 sets the international care label sequence as washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional textile care, in that order.4
Gently pull the main seams on sampled pieces to confirm they do not open or crack.
Check print fastness on a sample only by a method agreed with the buyer, and record the method used.
Stack folded pieces of the same size. Any obvious length or width difference should be re-measured, not ignored.
F. Pressing, folding and packing
Pieces are clean and properly pressed, without scorch or shine, and folded to the specified dimensions and method.
Individual packing matches the instruction, with correct size identification where required and any inserts or hangtags attached.
The size and color ratio in each carton matches the packing list. Carton markings show style, color, sizes, quantities and carton number as instructed.
Cartons are sound and correctly closed. The total carton count matches the packing list.
Draw a final sample from packed cartons, not only loose pieces, and recheck style, size, label and packing before signing.
Run this final stage as a formal pre-shipment inspection when the order value or the buyer's policy calls for one.
Common failures and how to fix them
Measurement drift. One size moves outside tolerance because a pattern, cutting or sewing setting has shifted. Isolate that size, measure a larger sample, and rework or replace the failing pieces.
Shade variation. Pieces in the same color differ, or body fabric and ribbing do not match, usually because fabric lots were mixed. Sort suspect cartons under consistent light, separate the lots and replace mismatched pieces.
Print faults. Compare misplaced, crooked, cracked or wrongly colored prints with the approved artwork. A faulty print generally cannot be repaired invisibly, so replace the affected pieces and correct the print setting.
Stitching and finishing defects. Open seams, skipped stitches, loose threads and uneven hems can often be repaired β restitch, trim, re-press β then re-inspected. A repair that is not rechecked is not a fix.
Stains and soiling. Clean only by a buyer-approved, fabric-safe method, then re-inspect. Pieces that cannot be cleaned to the standard should be replaced.
Wrong labels or packing ratio. A correct garment with a wrong label is still a failed product, and a wrong carton ratio disrupts distribution. Relabel or repack the affected cartons completely, then draw a fresh sample to verify the correction.
In every case: correct, re-inspect, and record both results.
Summary table
Use this table as the cover sheet for the checklist above in each order's inspection file.
Section | What is checked | Result to record |
|---|---|---|
Quantity and style | Quantities per size and color against the order | Counts found and any variance |
Fabric and color | Fabric, shade and print against approved references | Pass or fail per color, with photographs |
Measurements | Every chart point on sampled pieces, per size | Actual measurements against tolerance |
Workmanship | Seams, collar, hems, stains, labels and trims | Defects counted as critical, major or minor |
Functional checks | Seam strength and agreed print checks | Method used and result |
Packing | Folding, individual packing, ratio and carton marks | Carton sample result and total cartons |
How Exportain helps
Exportain is a marketplace where buyers find Bangladeshi suppliers, share a tech pack and approved requirements, and compare quotations for the same specification. Exportain does not inspect goods itself. Use your own inspector, the factory quality team or an independent provider to run this checklist, with everyone working from the same written standard.
FAQs
When should this checklist be used?
Use it at the pre-shipment stage, when production is complete and packing is finished, or at the stage agreed with the inspector, so both loose pieces and packed cartons can be checked. Parts of it can also be used during production, which gives the factory time to correct a drift. A checklist completed before goods exist in final packed form is not a final inspection result.
Who should complete it?
A competent inspector working from the buyer's approved sample, tech pack and purchase order should complete it β the buyer's own representative, an independent provider, or a factory quality manager, provided the acceptance standard was agreed in advance and findings are recorded with measurements and photographs. The buyer makes the final acceptance decision.
What are the most common failures?
The most frequent failures are measurements outside tolerance, shade variation, print faults, stitching defects such as open seams and skipped stitches, stains, and packing errors including wrong size ratios and incorrect labels. Most can be corrected and re-inspected before shipment if they are found in time.
Can a third party do it?
Yes. A third-party provider can complete this checklist at the factory on the buyer's behalf, using the buyer's approved references and agreed acceptance standard, and report measurements, defect counts and photographs directly to the buyer. Confirm in advance the sample size, the acceptance limits, and that packed cartons will be sampled.
Next steps on Exportain
Browse suppliers, read how to buy, and post an RFQ with your tech pack, sizes and quantity so suppliers quote against the same specification you will inspect against.
Sources
- ISO 2859-1:2026 - Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes β Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-by-lot inspection. International Organization for Standardization (accessed )
- AQL Inspection in Apparel: A Practical Guide (2026). Wave PLM (accessed )
- Cachet of Cashmere: Complying with the Wool Products Labeling Act. Federal Trade Commission (accessed )
- ISO 3758:2023 β Textiles β Care labelling code using symbols. International Organization for Standardization (accessed )
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