Quality Control

Capability Overview

Our knitwear quality control capability helps buyers reducing measurement variance, pilling risk, color difference, trim problems and final packing issues. The work focuses on practical B2B development decisions rather than retail-style visuals, connecting product direction, material choices, sample review, production feasibility and export-ready quality control. Buyers can use this page to understand what information should be prepared, which technical decisions affect cost and lead time, and how Licheng Knitwear turns an initial sourcing request into a sample-ready or production-ready plan.

Technical Details

Technical review covers yarn checking, knitting inspection, linking review, washing and finishing checks, measurement control, label inspection and final packing review. The goal is to make each development route clear before sampling: what the buyer should provide, what the factory needs to confirm, which risks may affect cost or lead time, and which details should be checked again before bulk production. In a normal project review, the team checks the buyer's reference photo, tech pack, target quantity, expected price level, yarn direction, gauge preference, trim requirements, label plan and target market. If information is missing, the page should guide the buyer toward practical next steps instead of forcing a retail-style product decision too early. This helps reduce unclear quotation requests, sample revisions caused by missing specifications, and production delays caused by late packaging or QC requirements.

The inspection standard is explicit rather than a matter of judgement. Final inspection uses a sampling plan drawn to AQL 2.5 under ISO 2859-1 at general inspection level II, so the sample size and the accept/reject numbers follow from the lot size instead of being negotiated per shipment. Measurement control is against your approved size chart with the tolerance written into the tech pack before bulk, so a garment either passes or does not. The recurring test set on knitwear is dimensional stability after ISO 6330 domestic washing, pilling to ISO 12945-2 (Martindale), colourfastness to washing ISO 105-C06 and to rubbing ISO 105-X12, and care labelling to ISO 3758. Every carton passes needle detection before packing. Two 2026 dates change the chemical baseline and are worth confirming against your own retailer requirements: the revised OEKO-TEX Standard 100 limit values applied from 1 June 2026, and the REACH entry 77 restriction on formaldehyde emissions applies from 6 August 2026, though it does not add a limit for consumer knitwear: entry 77 excludes articles already covered by entry 72, under which formaldehyde in textiles, clothing and footwear stays capped at 75 mg/kg of content, in force since 1 November 2020.

Suitable Products

This capability is suitable for sweaters, cardigans, knit jackets, jacquard items, private label knitwear and repeat production programs. It is especially useful when buyers need consistent product specifications, repeatable sample feedback, private label presentation or a sourcing plan that can move from idea to production without unnecessary rework. Buyers working on multi-style programs can use the same capability framework across sweater, cardigan and knit jacket developments so that yarn, gauge, workmanship, packaging and inspection expectations remain consistent across the collection.

Recommended Markets

Recommended for Europe, Germany, the UK, North America and Canada where consistent sizing, workmanship and final presentation support buyer trust. The emphasis is on sourcing confidence, clear communication, realistic product development and material decisions that match buyer positioning instead of generic fashion imagery. For North American buyers, the focus is usually practical development, commercial styling and clear RFQ information. For European, German and UK buyers, the focus often includes material handfeel, restrained styling, quality consistency and careful documentation. For Nordic and Canadian buyers, the capability is frequently connected with cold-weather layering, heavier gauges and wool-blend directions.

Production Notes

Quality control should begin before bulk production. Confirm measurement tolerance, key workmanship points, sample approval standards, label requirements and packing method so inspection is based on clear buyer expectations rather than vague visual judgment. For buyers selling into the EU, inspection records and material test documentation (OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GRS, REACH/SVHC) can be provided to support your retailer and GPSR compliance — the verifiable basis is on our Trust Center.

Inspection is only as good as what was agreed before bulk. Fix five things at sample approval: measurement tolerance per point of measure, the workmanship points that count as major versus minor defects, the approved sealed sample, label and packing specification, and who signs off. With those written down, an AQL 2.5 / ISO 2859-1 result is a fact both sides can act on rather than an argument. Test reports and inspection records (OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GRS chain of custody, REACH / SVHC) are available for your retailer and GPSR file on request.