Critical Defects:
These are serious issues that may pose safety risks, violate regulations, or render the product unusable. Examples include sharp objects in garments, broken soles in footwear, or toxic materials in socks.
Apparel, Footwear and Socks Defect Reference
A practical visual guide to common product defects used in quality inspection, helping buyers, suppliers, and inspectors understand defect classifications and improve quality control.
Table Of Contents
Definition of Defect
Defects in garment, footwear, and sock products are typically classified into three categories: Critical, Major, and Minor. This classification is commonly based on the internationally recognized AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) standard. By studying these defect examples, inspectors can better understand the criteria behind each category and make informed judgments when encountering new defects.
Garment/Apparel Defect Reference
Critical Defectives (CRI)
Double Seam on Care Label
Major Defectives(MAJ)
Asymmetrical 
Asymmetrical 
Asymmetrical 
Broken Stitches 
Distorted or Twisted 
Exposed Stitches 
Extra Materia 
Foreign Fiber 
Hole 
Label Covered 
Label Defect 
Missing Overlock 
Missing Stitches 
Needle Hole 
Open Seam 
Overlapping Stitches 
Runoff Stitches 
Runoff Stitches 
Skipped Stitches 
Snagged Yarn 
Uneven Binding 
Uneven Sewing 
Wrinkles
Minor Defectives(MIN)
Color Yarn 
Misaligned Stitches 
Mixed Color Threads 
Stain 
Uneven Ironing 
Unmached Seam 
Untrimmed Thread
The classification of garment defects into CRI (Critical), MAJ (Major), and MIN (Minor) is a common industry standard, but it is not absolutely fixed. Indeed, some brands or buyers may also assess the severity of defects based on their location, such as visible area, less visible area, or non-visible area, to ensure more precise quality control.
Image Sources: seampedia
Footwear Defect Reference
Critical Defectives (CRI)
Covered Label
Major Defectives(MAJ)
Exposed Filling 
Exposed Stitches 
Fabric Damage 
Flash 
Glue Failure 
Glue Failure 
Glue Mark 
Glue Mark 
Grin Through 
Hole 
Loose Thread 
Material Shortage 
Missing Stitching 
Obstructed Shoelace Eyelet 
Poor Assembly 
Uneven Gluing 
Unpunched Air Hole 
Untrimmed Material
Minor Defectives(MIN)
Excess Fibers 
Foreign Substance 
Stain 
Untrimmed Material 
Untrimmed Thread
For footwear, defects are typically categorized as CRI (Critical), MAJ (Major), and MIN (Minor), which is a widely recognized industry standard. However, this classification is not entirely rigid. Some brands or buyers may also take the defect's location into account, such as prominent areas on the upper, less noticeable sections, or the sole, to achieve more accurate quality assessment.
Image Sources: Gloria Francisco LopezSocks Defect Reference
Critical Defectives (CRI)
Covered Label
Major Defectives(MAJ)
Asymmetrical 
Broken Yarn 
Color Overlap 
Color Yarn 
Exposed Elastic 
Exposed Stitches 
Hole 
Loose Yarn 
Loose Yarn 
Snagged Yarn 
Snagged Yarn 
Stain
Minor Defectives(MIN)
Stain 
Untrimmed Thread
For knitted products, defects are generally classified into CRI (Critical), MAJ (Major), and MIN (Minor), following common industry practices. Nevertheless, this approach can vary. Some brands or buyers may further consider the defect’s position, such as the front-facing area, less prominent sections, or concealed parts, to ensure a more precise evaluation of product quality.
Image Sources: Gloria Francisco Lopez