Use this checklist to define what an inspector should verify against the approved product specification and sample. It can be adapted for bedding, quilts, towels, bath mats, rugs, cushions, curtains and selected home products. The inspection should be based on the purchase order, approved sample, technical file and agreed acceptance criteria—not on a generic visual check alone.
Inspection assignment details
Buyer / PO: ____________________ Supplier / site: ____________________
Product / SKU: ____________________ Inspection date: ____________________
Inspection stage: ☐ Pre-production ☐ Initial production ☐ DUPRO / in-line ☐ Final random ☐ Loading
Lot quantity: __________ Production completion: __________ Sample plan agreed: __________
Specification / approved sample revision: _______________________________________
1. Document and sample control
- ☐ Correct PO, SKU, size, colour and quantity identified.
- ☐ Current approved specification and tolerance sheet available.
- ☐ Approved sample or signed reference available for comparison.
- ☐ Approved material, artwork, labelling and packaging revisions available.
- ☐ Known deviations and buyer-approved concessions recorded.
2. Material and composition checks
- ☐ Face fabric / pile / yarn / base material matches the approved specification.
- ☐ Fibre or material composition evidence is available where required.
- ☐ Filling, backing, coating, trims and other components match the approved bill of materials.
- ☐ Colour and shade are checked against the approved standard.
- ☐ Weight / GSM / thickness is checked using the agreed method and measurement location.
- ☐ Material defects, contamination, odour or foreign matter are assessed against agreed criteria.
3. Dimensions and workmanship
- ☐ Length, width, shape and critical dimensions checked against tolerances.
- ☐ Seams, hems, stitching, binding, edging and closures reviewed.
- ☐ Print, embroidery, quilting, tufting, weave or pattern placement checked.
- ☐ Filling distribution, pile density, backing coverage or construction details checked where relevant.
- ☐ Surface finish, appearance, shade consistency and symmetry reviewed.
- ☐ Functional or assembly checks completed where required.
4. Product-family checks
Bedding and quilts: shell composition, filling type and weight, quilting alignment, filling distribution, finished dimensions, seam integrity, labels and care instructions.
Towels: fibre composition, size, weight, absorbency test evidence where specified, pile or loop condition, hems, pulls, shade and linting requirements.
Bath mats and rugs: face construction, GSM definition, pile or weave, backing material and coverage, edge finish, flatness, shedding, dimensions and wash-care evidence.
Cushions and curtains: fabric, lining, dimensions, closure or hardware, print placement, seam quality, fullness or finished drop, care label and packing.
5. Functional and laboratory evidence
Record the tests specifically required by the product brief and applicable market. Depending on the product, this may include fibre composition, shrinkage, colourfastness, pilling, seam strength, wash performance, flammability, chemical restrictions or other product-specific testing. Check report scope, sample identity, method, limit and result. A visual inspection does not replace a required laboratory test or legal compliance assessment.
6. Defect classification and sampling
Agree defect definitions before inspection. Critical defects can involve safety or a serious legal or functional risk; major defects materially affect saleability, use or the buyer’s specification; minor defects are smaller departures that do not materially affect use. The buyer must define the specific examples for each product.
Use the agreed sampling standard, lot definition, inspection level and acceptance criteria. Where ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 or another sampling standard is specified, select the plan based on the actual order and buyer requirements. Do not choose an AQL value automatically from this template. AQL sampling is not a promise of zero defects and does not replace specification-based or functional testing.
7. Packing and carton checks
- ☐ Correct SKU, size, colour, barcode and retail label.
- ☐ Correct folding, polybag or other packaging configuration.
- ☐ Correct units per carton and assortment ratio.
- ☐ Carton dimensions, gross/net weight and shipping marks checked.
- ☐ Carton condition, protection, moisture controls and stacking arrangement reviewed.
- ☐ Packing list and carton count reconcile to the inspected lot.
8. Inspection results and corrective action
| Finding / defect | Classification | Quantity / sample | Photo / evidence reference | Action owner / due date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ________________ | ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________________ | ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________________ | ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
Inspection outcome: ☐ Pass ☐ Fail ☐ Re-inspection required ☐ Hold for buyer decision
Open issues / buyer decision required: __________________________________________
Inspector: ____________________ Buyer release authority: ____________________
Related inspection resources
See AQL Inspection for Home Textiles, Bath Mats and Rugs, Initial Production and DUPRO Inspection, Pre-Shipment and Final Random Inspection and Container Loading Supervision.
Vanguard Sourcing can coordinate supplier-side quality follow-up and inspection arrangements within an agreed scope. The buyer remains responsible for approving the specification, sampling plan, acceptance criteria and shipment release.
For more India sourcing guidance, visit the International Buyer Sourcing Resources hub or browse the International Sourcing Knowledge Centre. Practical buyer tools are available in the India Sourcing Buyer Toolkit.