QIMA initial production checks are used to catch any issues that might affect production at the earliest stage possible.
Initial Production Check (IPC)
What is an Initial Production Check (IPC)?
An IPC is an on-site product inspection performed from before your production begins up until 20% has been completed.
In an IPC inspection, inspectors check the quality of raw materials and the first items produced in a production run. They are used to identify quality issues early on in production and to prevent them from causing bigger issues further down the track.
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Production Timeline
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0-20%
Initial Product Check (IPC)
Detect quality issues early in the production process (raw materials machines setup,etc.).
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20%-80%
During Production Inspection(DUPRO)
Ensure that all issues discovered during IPC are corrected before order completion.
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80%-100%
Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)
Verify the quality of the whole production lot before it leaves the factory.
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100%
Container Loading Check (CLC)
Ensure every product you paid for makes it to the truck; reduce the risk of damage during shipment.
0-100%
Production Monitoring (PM)
An inspector will be on-site everyday to keep your factory accountable and provide daily quality and status reports, putting you in control of the entire process.
Sample Picking (SP)
Have samples collected from the production line, for your own reference or lab testing.
Why perform an IPC?
There are a number of good reasons to use an IPC inspection:
- Enforce quality standards early on and provide an early-warning system for potential issues
- Lower the likelihood of having to correct defective goods at the end of a production run
- Identify and potentially mitigate disruptions that may appear at the outset of production
- Verify the quality of raw materials that have been supplied
- Ensure that the factory has set up the production run correctly and that all of your brand’s specifications are clearly understood
- Gain confidence that quality standards will be met
What checks are carried out?
Firstly, the QIMA inspector will randomly select a sample of products to inspect using the ANSI/ASQ Standard Z.1.4-2008 sampling standard.
The checks that are then carried out are tailored to match client requirements and the product in question. QIMA has an extensive range of off-the-shelf inspection checklists available that are designed for particular products. Clients can use these off-the-shelf checklists. Otherwise, where they require specific alternative checks to be carried out, they can add to one of these lists or create their own unique checklist.
However, a typical QIMA IPC includes the following checks:
- Raw material and production process check
- Raw material quantities
- General conditions of storage
- Manufacturing processes to be followed
- Production organization and status
- Product specifications checks
- Quantities of semi-finished, finished and packed products
- Product colors
- Product style and construction
- Artwork including spelling, fonts, dimensions, positioning and general design
- Labels including main labels, care labels, size labels and product tags
- Product dimensions check
- Other product-specific checks and tests to verify quality and workmanship
- Packing and packaging checks
- Unit packing
- Inner packing
- Outer packing
- Export carton dimensions and weights
- Shipping marks on cartons
What happens after an IPC is completed?
Clients receive a detailed inspection report, delivered on the same day as the inspection and accessible via their online QIMA account. The report outlines the findings of the inspection, including photos of any defects found, and gives an overall pass/fail outcome.
It should be noted that, while having an IPC carried out will set production off to a good start, an IPC alone is not enough to ensure the quality of your finished products. We advise combining an IPC with a pre-shipment inspection (PSI), which checks your products once the full quantity has been produced. If a PSI is not carried out, you run the risk that your factory could ship bad quality products despite your IPC.
QIMA expertise
QIMA provides independent quality control designed to protect your business interests. Our highly trained and experienced inspectors are product experts who receive regular training in their field of specialization.
QIMA inspectors can be onsite at your factory within 48 hours of booking, and reports are provided on the same day as the inspection.
Our inspections can be carried out on all types of consumer goods including, but not limited to, apparel and footwear, toys, electronics and furniture.
Take your quality management online
QIMA offers an intelligent online platform to help you seamlessly manage your quality control and global supply network.
You can easily book, cancel or reschedule inspections, make payments or download your inspection reports with a few clicks. We also provide a customizable dashboard with all of your quality control data, so you can identify trends and make informed decisions in real-time.
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With over 2,500 trained and qualified inspectors and auditors, we guarantee to be at any factory within 48 hours. We follow the strictest hiring standards, employing only university graduates, with a minimum requirement of five years experience in quality control and auditing. Each inspector and auditor is native to the area in which they work, with an unparalleled expertise in local business practices.
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