Complete QC Photo Inspection Guide

Complete QC Photo Inspection Guide

Quality Control photos are your only defense against receiving defective or inaccurate products. This comprehensive guide teaches you exactly what to examine in every QC photo, common defects to watch for, and when to approve versus request additional inspection.

The Standard QC Photo Set

Hipobuy provides 6-10 photos per item depending on product complexity. For footwear, the standard set includes: front view showing toe box shape and overall proportions; back view displaying heel construction and rear logos; left and right side profiles verifying silhouette accuracy; top-down view showing tongue and lacing alignment; sole bottom pattern verification; insole branding check; and close-up detail shots of logos, stitching, and material texture.

For apparel, expect: front view showing overall cut and logo placement; back view checking rear graphics or tags; close-up of primary logo or embroidery; stitching density shots at stress points; tag and wash label verification; and fabric texture captures under warehouse lighting.

Footwear Inspection Checklist

Toe box shape: Compare against authentic reference images. The toe box should have the correct height, width, and curve profile. Common defects include overly boxy or too-slender shapes that immediately reveal replicas.

Sole pattern accuracy: Check star placement, line spacing, and texture depth. High-tier replicas match authentic sole patterns precisely, while budget versions often use generic molds with approximate patterns.

Logo placement and font: Verify that logos appear at correct heights, angles, and sizes. Font weight and spacing should match authentic references exactly. Even 2mm placement deviations are noticeable on close inspection.

Stitching consistency: Examine stitch density, pattern alignment, and thread color. Authentic-quality stitching uses uniform spacing with consistent tension. Loose threads, skipped stitches, or color mismatches indicate lower-tier production.

Material texture: Leather should show appropriate grain patterns. Suede should display correct nap direction and color depth. Mesh and synthetic materials should match authentic weave patterns and translucency.

Apparel Inspection Checklist

Logo accuracy: For screen-printed graphics, check alignment, color matching, and edge sharpness. For embroidery, verify stitch count, thread thickness, and dimension accuracy. Puff prints should show correct height and texture.

Stitching quality: Shoulder seams, armholes, and hemlines are the most common failure points. Look for straight stitching lines, consistent density, and proper reinforcement at stress points. Double-stitching at shoulders and hems indicates higher construction standards.

Tag verification: Neck tags, wash labels, and hang tags should match authentic typography, spacing, and material. Many replicas fail at tag accuracy, using incorrect fonts or spacing that is immediately noticeable.

Material weight and feel: While photos cannot convey touch, you can assess material weight through drape and thickness indicators. Heavyweight hoodies should show substantial fabric drape. Thin, overly stiff materials suggest incorrect blanks were used.

When to Approve vs. Reject

Approve items when: all major details match the spreadsheet listing; logo placement is accurate within acceptable tolerances; stitching is clean and consistent; materials appear correct for the stated quality tier; and size measurements match your requirements.

Reject items when: obvious defects are visible (scuffs, stains, tears); logo placement is significantly misaligned; stitching is loose, uneven, or missing in critical areas; wrong size or color was shipped; materials clearly differ from the listing description; or the item appears to be a different quality tier than advertised.

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