4-Point Inspection System
The 4-point system grades fabric quality by assigning penalty points for defects based on length and severity. It's the textile industry's standard quality method.
The 4-point inspection system is the globally accepted method for grading fabric quality. Developed originally by the American Society for Quality Control and now formalized in ASTM D5430, it assigns penalty points to defects based on defect length.
Scoring: defects up to 3 inches = 1 point; 3-6 inches = 2 points; 6-9 inches = 3 points; over 9 inches = 4 points. Holes regardless of size score 4 points. Maximum 4 points per linear yard. Acceptable thresholds vary by fabric class, typically 15-40 points per 100 square yards.
4-point inspection requires specific data capture: defect location (warp/weft position), defect type (hole, stain, slub, color streak), defect length, and roll/piece identification. Inspectors roll fabric across a lit inspection frame at 10-15 yards per minute.
Vastra ERP ships 4-point inspection as a native quality workflow. In a generic ERP this method is not built in and has to be added as custom development — how much that costs depends entirely on the platform and the implementer, so ask for a written quote before you assume it is a small change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 4-point inspection system work?
Fabric is rolled across a lit inspection frame and penalty points are assigned to each defect by its length: up to 3 inches scores 1 point, 3 to 6 inches scores 2, 6 to 9 inches scores 3, and over 9 inches scores 4. No single linear yard can score more than 4 points.
Which standard defines the 4-point system?
It originated with the American Society for Quality Control and is now formalised in ASTM D5430, which is the reference standard used across the global textile trade.
What is an acceptable 4-point score?
Thresholds vary by fabric class, but 15 to 40 penalty points per 100 square yards is the typical acceptance range. The specific limit is normally agreed between mill and buyer before production begins.
Do holes always score 4 points?
Yes. A hole scores the maximum 4 points regardless of its size, because a hole is a through-defect that renders the affected area unusable rather than merely cosmetic.
What data must be captured during inspection?
Defect location in warp and weft position, defect type such as hole, stain, slub or colour streak, defect length, and the roll or piece identifier. Inspectors typically run fabric at 10 to 15 yards per minute.
Related terms
Dye Lot
A dye lot is a batch of fabric or yarn dyed together in a single cycle. Each lot has slight shade variations that must be tracked for order consistency.
Fabric Roll
A fabric roll is the standard shipping unit for textile fabric, typically 50-150 meters. Each roll has unique attributes: dye lot, shade, GSM, width.
GSM (Grams per Square Meter)
GSM (grams per square metre) measures fabric weight per unit area. It is the textile industry's primary metric for classifying fabric density, and it determines how a fabric drapes, wears, costs and is graded.
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