10 Point System for Fabric Inspection
10 Point System is a fabric grading system developed by the Textile Distributors Institute (U.S.A.) and National Federation of Textiles for woven finished fabrics. It is widely used method in the textile and garment industry to evaluate fabric quality. This grading system is used to determine primarily whether finished woven fabrics are to be graded as a first or second quality. Under this system, standards for defects are explained and then penalty points are applied against defects.
Ten point system separates defects by the warp and weft directions, which adds another layer of fabric grading. This system is challenging in everyday use. Penalty points are determined by the number of defects and length of each defect. If the penalty point total does not exceed the total yardage, the fabric is considered first quality. If the penalty point total surpasses the total yardage, the fabric is considered second quality.
10 point system, a standard for the examination of finished goods. They cover all market wide fabrics of manmade and/or natural fibres alone or in combination and apply to all fabrics regardless of width or construction. While primarily intended for finished materials, they can also be used for grey or unfinished goods. These standards explain the penalties to be assigned to both warp and filling defects and conditions, what constitutes defects, and the penalties in points to be applied against each defect.
The grading shall apply to every imperfection according to size, but in the case of fabrics that are over 50 inches in finished width, an increase of not more than 10 percent in penalty points will be allowed in “first” quality. If the total number of penalty points is less than the number of yards in the piece, the piece is graded a first; if the total points exceed the yardage, the piece is graded as second. With print cloth, any piece of grey goods which contains less than 50 percent more penalty points than the yardage may be passed for printing purposes. No single yard should be penalized more than 10 points. Any warp or filling defect occurring repeatedly throughout the entire piece makes it a second.
The face side of finished goods should be examined in one complete piece and in full width either by a machine or over a perch. Inspection shall be made using north daylight free from reflections or shadows or an approved type of lighting system. The machine or perch shall be placed perpendicular to rays of light, and the material shall be run at an angle of 45 percent to the vertical.
Imperfections are defects which can be prevented under normal conditions and with normal care. Normal irregularities, which are defects beyond the reasonable control of the manufacturer or natural to any particular quality or construction, should not be considered as a defect. Imperfections appearing within one half inch from either edge should be disregarded. Imperfections are classified as follows:
a) Vertical imperfections or those running parallel to the warp.
Warp Defects | |
| Size of Defect | Penalty Points |
| 0 to 36 inches | 10 points |
| 5 to 10 inches | 5 points |
| 1 to 5 inches | 3 points |
| Up to one inch | 1 points |
b) Horizontal imperfections or those running parallel to the filling thread.
Filling Defects | |
| Size of Defect | Penalty Points |
| Full width | 10 points |
| 5 inches to half width | 5 points |
| 1 to 5 inches | 3 points |
| Up to one inch | 1 points |
First Quality:
A piece is graded as “First” if the total quality points do not exceed the total yardage of the piece. E.g. 100-yard piece got the penalized of 70.
Second Quality:
A piece is graded as “second” if the total penalty points exceeded the total yardage of the piece.
Example:
If a 120-yard fabric roll (48″ width) has 25 points of defects, then:
……………………………………….25
Points per 100 sq. yd= ——————————– x 100
……………………………….120 x 48/3600
If result ≤ 40 → First Quality.
Advantages of the 10 Point System
- It is the oldest and most widely used method for woven finished fabric inspecting.
- Quick method compared to other inspection systems.
- Reduces risk of supplying defective fabric to buyers.
Disadvantages of the 10 Point System
- It has width limitations in its application.
- Only considers the size of the defect, not its type or seriousness.
- Small but serious defects (like shade variation) may not be judged properly.
- Quality judgment may vary depending on inspector’s skill.
Conclusion
10 point fabric inspection system is a simple and practical method for grading fabrics. It helps textile mills and garment factories ensure better quality and reduce problems in production. 10 Point System is not a perfect method, but it is an incredibly effective and efficient one. It is still one of the most commonly used systems worldwide because of its simplicity and effectiveness.
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