Sportswear quality control
AQL Level II Quality Inspection for Custom Sportswear
EQUEST GEAR uses AQL Level II inspection on custom sportswear and teamwear lots. AQL is a statistical sampling method for acceptance decisions. It is not a promise of zero defects, and inspection criteria follow the approved product specification for each order.
What Does AQL Level II Mean?
AQL stands for Acceptable Quality Limit. In garment manufacturing it is used to decide whether a production lot should be accepted, based on how many defects appear in a randomly drawn sample — not by inspecting every piece unless the order says so.
Inspection level (here, Level II) sits between a looser Level I and a tighter Level III. Level II is the general inspection level used for most consumer and commercial apparel lots. It determines, together with the lot size, how many garments are drawn as the sample.
The sampling plan then gives an acceptance number and a rejection number. If defects in the sample are at or below the acceptance number, the lot is accepted under that plan. If they reach the rejection number, the lot is not accepted under that plan. Defects are usually classified (for example critical, major, minor) so that a broken seam is not scored the same as a slightly off-center heat-transfer, if those classes were agreed.
This website does not invent a numeric AQL such as 2.5. If EQUEST GEAR publishes a specific AQL value for major or minor defects, it is set in the quality configuration and displayed here. Until then, the verified statement is: inspection uses AQL Level II sampling against the specification approved for that order.
Terms used in an AQL plan
- Lot size — how many garments are in the batch being inspected.
- Inspection level — Level II for EQUEST GEAR custom sportswear lots.
- Sample size — how many pieces are drawn from the lot.
- Acceptance number — the maximum defects in the sample that still accept the lot under the plan.
- Rejection number — the defect count at which the lot is not accepted under the plan.
- Defect classification — how faults are grouped so they can be scored consistently.
Related reading: What is AQL Level II?, How AQL works in sportswear, manufacturing process, custom sportswear.
Custom uniform quality inspection
Quality inspection process
Twelve checkpoints used on custom sportswear programs. What is checked, and how strictly, still depends on the approved spec — not on marketing language.
Fabric Inspection
Incoming fabric is checked against the agreed type, weight and color reference for that order before cutting proceeds.
Color / Artwork Verification
Printed panels are compared with the approved artwork. Color matching follows the references you supplied (including EQUEST GEAR CMYK Color Book codes where specified).
Size & Measurement Inspection
Garments are measured against the size chart or approved sample for the program — not against an unpublished generic chart.
Logo / Sublimation Inspection
Crests, wordmarks and sublimated graphics are checked for placement, registration and completeness against the artwork map.
Stitching Inspection
Stitch formation, density and obvious sewing faults are reviewed on sampled garments.
Seam Inspection
Seams are checked for security and construction as specified for the garment (for example coverstitch or overlock where those are the agreed methods).
Print Quality Inspection
Print clarity, dye transfer and panel alignment are reviewed. Sublimation is not the same as vinyl or embroidery; each method is judged on its own spec.
Label Inspection
Care labels, size labels and any custom brand labels are checked when they form part of the order.
Finished Garment Inspection
Completed garments are reviewed as a whole: appearance, measurements and the features listed on the specification.
AQL Sampling Inspection
A sample is drawn from the lot using an AQL Level II inspection approach. Acceptance or rejection follows the sampling plan agreed for the order.
Packing Inspection
Polybags, carton marks and packing lists are checked against the packing instruction for that shipment.
Final Dispatch Approval
Cartons are released for dispatch after the inspection decision for the lot. Extra hold points can be written into the purchase terms.
EQUEST GEAR
Brief a manufacturer that inspects the lot
Include sport, quantity, destination and the specification you want inspected against.