SUBJECT – UNDERSTANDING APPAREL QUALITY

ASSIGNMENT – 1

TOPIC – STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS

SUBMITTED TO: MR. SUMIT KUMAR

SUBMITTED BY: SUSHREE PRIYABRAT

ROLL NO.: BFT/19/1286

SEMESTER: IV
 SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications:
A specification or spec is a precise statement of a set of requirements to be satisfied by a
material, product, system, or service that indicates the procedures for determining whether
each of the requirements is satisfied.

Requirements:

 Requirements indicate that these expectations are nonnegotiable.

 Requirements must be met for the specifications to be satisfied.
 Specifications describe requirements. In other words, specific terms and numerical
values with the measurement units are listed so that it is clear what issues are
considered important.
 The expectations for performance, quality, or condition are expressly defined.

Two Important elements in Specifications:

 The numbers used in writing specs address two important elements in Specifications:
(1) MINIMUMS & (2) TOLERANCES

Minimums:

 A minimum is the least or low acceptable value for any given parameter or dimension.
 Establishing minimums can be very difficult task because it is these values that
encompass performance, appearance, and quality of the product.

Tolerances:

 A Tolerance describes the range of acceptable values, or in other words, it describes

allowable deviations from specified values.
 Tolerances may be listed in several ways; as range from X to Y, as plus/minus values
such as X + Y, or as a minimum with any value greater than the value listed is being
acceptable.
 A major problem with tolerances is that they can accumulate or stack up in a product.
The result is an unacceptable product, even though no single specification is outside the
acceptable limit. Tolerances are included when a range is acceptable. However, not all
the specs include tolerances.
Key element in Specification:

 The final key element in specifications is the inclusion of procedures for analysis and
evaluation. The procedure, test method, or process must be identified in detail in the
specification.
 In terms of materials performance, this detailed procedure usually refers to a standard
test method, such as those developed by ASTM or AATCC.
 In terms of other aspects, such as product dimensions, diagrams and detailed
explanations or procedures may be included. Identification of procedures is critical,
because they ultimately measure whether the product conforms to specifications and is
acceptable to the company and its target.

Types of Specifications:
Companies develop specifications for a product or a material as

 An open or
 Closed Specification

Open Specification:
An open specification allows for consideration of multiple vendors and includes a description of
character and/or performance desired in the product or material to be purchased. An open
specification describes what is wanted and leaves the field open to any supplier who can meet
the requirements specified. Open specifications can include general information or very specific
information regarding fabric mass, resistance to fading, or whatever performance and design
features are required. Open specifications are used to locate appropriate materials that would
satisfy the target market.

Closed Specification:
A closed specification specifies the exact material, component, or product by the manufacturer
or vendor and includes style numbers, trade names, or other specific identifiers. All producers
or vendors except for the one specified are restricted in submitting a bid.

Closed specifications are used for the production purposes, pricing and for items that must
incorporate specific materials.

Types of specifications used by various Industries:

Some of these are having little relation to textile products. Others may be of interest when
dealing with specific textile products.
1. Target Specification:
Target specifications relate to the understanding the company’s focus in terms of the
product type, price point, and target market needs and expectations. Target
specifications for textile products may be stated in nebulous terms in the company’s
mission and philosophy statement.
For example, a company describes its mission as “we provide high fashion, upscale
furnishings for discriminating consumer” incorporates some general aspects related to
their market and types of products produced.

2. Functional Specifications:
Functional specifications for textile products relate to performance requirements.
Understanding customer expectations for products will assist in developing the
functional specifications.
Several laws and regulations incorporate functional specifications that must be met. For
example, functional requirements for flammability are defined by the federal law for
mattresses and mattress pads.

3. Product Specification:
Product specification includes elements related to production: seam and stitch type,
equipment to be used for each operation, and the aspects related to quality.
This would include a description of each seam, the thread to be used, seam type, stitch
type, stitch density, and the precision of matching required for the plaids and when
seams meet. For example, what is the acceptable precision when arms-eye and sleeve
seams meet at the underarm.

4. Materials Specification:
Materials specification for textile products combines identification of the characteristics
of each material (its type, quality characteristics, description, and condition) with the
function or performance aspects.
For materials, this would focus on how the materials, not the product, react to various
conditions of use. Functional specifications need to focus on the product.

5. Process Specification:
A process specification addresses all processes, including pattern and marker making,
spreading and cutting, sewing, finishing, packaging and shipment. Product specifications
should address the issues related to product quality. For example, specifications for
packaging might address the number of items to be placed in a box and the kind of
 labels needed on the exterior of the box. These criteria are important for large
companies that operate from distribution centers because of the space available,
conveyor belt size restrictions for moving merchandise, and in tracking merchandise
deliveries.

6. Inspection Specifications:
Inspection specifications include in-process inspection, final inspection, or acceptable
inspection. These specifications, will describe how and when to inspect products.

7. Test Specifications:
Test specifications may be combined with functional and materials specifications. Test
specifications describe the procedures to follow in evaluating the process or the product
before, during, or after production.
Testing done before production focuses on the materials – their character and
performance.
Testing done during the production focuses on the processes, often during the finishing
step.

8. Acceptance Specifications:
Acceptance Specifications describe the frequency, type and the location of the defects
that will be acceptable in the finished product.
Acceptance specifications often address aspects relate to the appearance, performance,
labeling, and packaging.

9. Installation Specifications:
Installation specifications most often relate to the installation of the contract and home
furnishings and industrial products. It is the detail instructions necessary for installing
products on site ready for use. Probably prepared by the design or product
development and engineering divisions.

10.Use Specifications:
Use specifications include information and special instructions that users will need to
enable them to use the product in its intended manner. Probably prepared by marketing
with assistance from the design and engineering divisions.
 11.Maintenance Specifications:
Maintenance specification gives in details the procedures to be followed to ensure that
the product receives correct maintenance at required intervals. Probably prepared by
the design and engineering divisions.

12.Disposal Specifications:
Identifies any special requirements in terms of disposal of the product. May be included
with the recyclable products. Probably prepared by the design and engineering
divisions.

13.Procurement Specifications:
Provide a total picture of the what, where, when and how expected of the product so
that prospective suppliers know what is expected of them. Used by buying organizations
to procure relatively complex products that must meet variety of requirements related
to materials, functional, test and acceptance areas. Probably developed by design,
product development, and engineering divisions.

TOLERANCES:
Tolerances identify the acceptable range of variation from a specification. When reviewing
specs for products, tolerances are more likely to be listed as ranges of behavior than as
minimums, as was the situation with the materials.

If dimensions for any given size are too far above or below the specifications, the product is
outside that size and does not meet customer expectations. Thus, if dimensions differ too
much, a garment will no longer fit within the dimensions that define a size.

In addition, the function of a product or component may be critical to its target market.
Components are the products pieces that are sewn together or otherwise attached and treated
as one piece in a later production stage, such as collars, cuffs, sleeves, and plackets. If a product
or a component of a product exceeds the acceptable range, it may no longer function. For
example, buttons and buttonholes must match within a narrow range or the closed placket will
not line up with the correct button hole, and the product will hang in a distracting or
uncomfortable manner.