Quality control
Quality built around the approved specification
Quality is easier to manage when the product, packaging, documents and change history are clear before production starts.
QC starts when the sample is signed
Quality follows the locked specification: product, color, accessories, packing, warnings and the written change list. Unwritten comments do not enter production.
Ask for the checkpoint list with the quote if you need incoming, in-line and pre-shipment records, or if you will send a third-party inspector.
Quality path
| Stage | What is checked | What you can request |
|---|---|---|
| Product definition | Dimensions, material, color, function, accessories, age guidance, packing | A written spec sheet for the selected SKU |
| Sample approval | Physical sample against the brief and change list | Signed sample photos and the closed change list |
| Incoming | Materials and parts against the approved sample | Incoming check notes for agreed orders |
| In-line | Function, assembly, print and packing during production | In-line photos or a mid-production update when agreed |
| Pre-shipment | AQL sampling or buyer inspection for agreed orders | Inspection date, AQL level and carton marks |
What to write in the quality brief
| Tell us | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Inspection preference | Factory QC only, AQL sampling, or your nominated inspector |
| AQL / defect focus | Function, print, packing and carton marks are not the same check |
| Photo or report need | Some buyers need photos; some need a written record before sailing |
| Hold points | Whether production may continue if a change is still open |
Questions buyers ask before they enquire
Can I use my own inspection company?
Yes. Tell us the inspector, the date window and what they will check so the factory can prepare cartons and samples.
Do you inspect every order the same way?
No. The checkpoint list follows the SKU, packing and the agreement on the order.
When does QC start?
When the sample and change list are signed. Checking only at the warehouse is too late to correct construction.
Next step