Guides
Quality guides
13 guides on quality for apparel importers.
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Quality · How to
Combed vs carded cotton: why it decides print quality and pilling
Combing is the fibre-preparation step that separates premium tees from budget ones: what it removes, why combed cotton prints sharper and pills less, how it pairs with ring spinning, and when carded cotton is honestly good enough.
26 August 2026 · 2 min read
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Quality · How to
How much do cotton t-shirts shrink? Shrinkage, compacting, and the spec that prevents it
Why cotton knits shrink (spinning and knitting tension, not magic), how much shrinkage is normal, what compacting does at the mill, the tolerance to put in your tech pack, and how to wash-test a sample before approving bulk.
26 August 2026 · 2 min read
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Sourcing · Quality
CVC vs TC vs 100% polyester for uniform programmes: the blend decision
The three fabric families uniform buyers choose between, cotton-rich CVC, poly-rich TC, and full polyester, compared on comfort, industrial washing, embroidery, colour life and cost, with plain guidance by role and industry.
26 August 2026 · 2 min read
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Quality · How to
Hoodie GSM guide: fleece weights from 250 to 450+, from the factory floor
What hoodie GSM actually means, the weight bands (250–300 everyday, 300–350 standard, 350–450 heavyweight, 450+ ultra), how much hoodies weigh in grams, brushed vs loopback at each weight, and which GSM to order for your market.
26 August 2026 · 2 min read
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Quality · How to
The pre-shipment inspection checklist for garment orders (use it or lose it)
What a final inspection actually checks before your garments ship: quantity and assortment, AQL workmanship sampling, measurements, labels and compliance, packing, the complete checklist, who should inspect, and what to do when a lot fails.
26 August 2026 · 2 min read
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Quality · How to
Ring-spun vs open-end cotton: the yarn decision that decides your tee
The single yarn choice behind why two “100% cotton” t-shirts feel completely different: how ring-spun and open-end cotton are made, what each does to softness, printing, pilling and price, and which to specify for your programme.
26 August 2026 · 2 min read
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Quality · Sourcing
Single jersey vs interlock vs piqué: knit constructions explained for buyers
The three knit constructions behind almost every tee and polo: how each is made, what it does to weight, stretch, print quality and cost, the curling-and-twisting quirks factories manage, and which construction fits which product.
26 August 2026 · 2 min read
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How to · Quality
Size charts and grading: what your factory actually needs from you
How garment sizing really works between brand and factory: the base-size spec, grade rules, points of measure and tolerances, what to send, what happens if you send nothing, and the sizing traps (unisex, UK vs US, kids’ heights) that cause returns.
26 August 2026 · 2 min read
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Private label · Quality
Tri-blend vs CVC vs cotton for decorators: choosing blanks by print result
The decorator’s fabric decision: how 100% cotton, CVC and tri-blend each behave under screen printing and DTG, the vintage-soft-print effect tri-blends give, durability and cost trade-offs, and which base to choose per job.
26 August 2026 · 2 min read
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Quality · Private label
French terry vs brushed fleece: specifying sweatshirt fabric like you mean it
Terry and fleece start life on the same knitting machine — the difference is what happens at finishing, and it changes warmth, breathability, print behaviour, and durability. Constructions (why 3-thread fleece is the premium marker), GSM bands, blends, dye methods, and what decorators should spec.
5 August 2026 · 4 min read
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Quality · How to
The most expensive email in apparel: “approved, go ahead”
Bulk production copies your sample — including its mistakes. Why buyers approve samples too fast (excitement, deadlines, sunk cost), and the disciplined checklist that catches problems while they still cost nothing: measure against spec, wash before approving, check the inside, archive the standard.
5 August 2026 · 3 min read
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Sourcing · Quality
The polo, specified properly: piqué vs jersey, collars that stay flat, and the details buyers miss
Everyone thinks they know polos — which is exactly why they get under-specified. The fabric choice is really a decoration choice, the collar is where quality is judged in one second, and the failures (curl, twist, fade) are all preventable at spec stage. A buyer’s guide for uniform and promo programmes.
5 August 2026 · 3 min read
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How to · Quality
Garment QC and AQL inspection: an importer’s guide
How garment quality control and AQL inspection actually work — defect classes, inspection stages, a copy-and-use QC checklist, and how to inspect an order before it ships.
13 July 2026 · 2 min read
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