IPC / FAI — 10–15% Completion
Initial Production Check (IPC) in India
Validate the first 10–15% of finished output against the golden sample, before the factory commits to producing the rest. Catches machinery, calibration and workmanship drift before momentum builds.
Book an IPC InspectionIPC inspection scope
First-article verification
Inspector pulls the first 10–15% of finished output. Verifies fit, finish, function, dimensions, weight, colour against the signed golden sample.
Process & machinery validation
Confirms the production line set-up matches what was approved at PPI — same machinery, same operators, same calibration.
Workmanship calibration
Documents the workmanship standard the rest of the run will be measured against. Becomes the visual reference for DUPRO and PSI.
Early defect detection
Surface dimensional drift, colour bleed, soldering issues, stitching defects in the first 10% — before they're locked into 100%.
Buyer-spec compliance
Verifies buyer-specific requirements: hangtag placement, FNSKU barcodes, polybag suffocation warnings, country-of-origin labels.
Photo-documented baseline
Full photo set of first-article units becomes the audit trail for any future quality dispute — invaluable for chargeback defence.
Why IPC pays for itself in one batch
Locks the workmanship standard early
IPC sets the visual benchmark for the entire production run. Without it, factories drift quietly toward 'good enough'.
Catches set-up errors at 10%, not 100%
A miscalibrated stitching machine on a 50,000-unit run will produce 50,000 defective units. IPC catches it at 5,000.
Required for first orders & new SKUs
For any first order, new SKU, or production-line change, IPC is the single highest-ROI inspection in the QC programme.
Bridges PPI and DUPRO
PPI verifies materials, DUPRO checks mid-run, PSI checks finished. IPC fills the gap — proving the line is producing to spec before momentum builds.
IPC FAQs
What is an initial production check (IPC)?
Initial Production Check (IPC), also called First Article Inspection (FAI), is an on-site inspection conducted when 10–15% of the order has been produced. It verifies that the first units coming off the line match the approved golden sample, that the machinery is correctly calibrated, and that the workmanship standard is being maintained — before the factory commits to producing the remaining 85–90%.
How is IPC different from PPI and DUPRO?
PPI (Pre-Production Inspection) happens before any unit is cut — it verifies materials and golden sample. IPC happens at 10–15% production — it verifies the first finished units. DUPRO (During Production Inspection) happens at 20–80% production — it catches systemic defects mid-run. All three are checkpoints in a complete QC programme, with IPC being the bridge between materials approval and mid-run verification.
Is IPC the same as 'first article inspection' (FAI)?
Effectively yes. 'Initial Production Check' is the term used in consumer goods QC (textile, homeware, electronics). 'First Article Inspection (FAI)' is the term used in engineering, automotive (PPAP / AS9102), and aerospace. The methodology is similar: pull the first units, verify against drawing/sample, document with photos and measurements.
When should I run IPC vs. DUPRO?
Run IPC for: first orders, new SKUs, new factories, after any tooling change, after any factory holiday/shutdown. Run DUPRO for: long production runs (>30 days), repeat orders where workmanship drift is a risk, lots over 25,000 units. For high-risk orders run both: IPC at ~10% and DUPRO at ~50%.
How much does IPC cost in India?
$220–$280 per inspector per 8-hour man-day in Tier-1 hubs. One man-day is usually sufficient. For engineering-intensive products (automotive, aerospace, medical devices) requiring dimensional CMM measurement, allow 1.5–2 man-days.
Inspection & Audit Hub
Complete Quality Inspection Services in India
Independent third-party inspections and factory audits across 15+ Indian manufacturing hubs — supporting buyers in the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada and UAE since 1994.
Third Party Inspection
Independent AQL-based product inspections
Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)
Final QC before goods leave the factory
Quality Control Company
End-to-end QC programmes & supervision
Inspection Company India
Full-service inspection partner since 1994
Product Inspection Services
Category-specific quality checks
Factory Audit
On-site capability & compliance audits
During-Production Inspection (DUPRO)
AQL 2.5 mid-run quality check at 20–80%
Pre-Production Inspection (PPI)
Raw material, trims & golden sample verification
Container Loading Supervision
Carton count + ISO 17712 seal at loading
AQL Inspection Services
ISO 2859-1 / ANSI Z1.4 sampling inspections
ISO 17020 Inspection Body
Type A independent inspection methodology
Amazon FBA Inspection
FNSKU, polybag, carton & AQL for FBA sellers
QC Inspection Cost (2026)
Per-man-day pricing benchmarks vs QIMA/SGS/BV
Supplier Audit
Verify suppliers before placing orders
Garment Inspection
Apparel QC in Tirupur, Ludhiana, Delhi NCR
Furniture Inspection
Wood, metal & upholstery QC across India
Electronics Inspection
Mobile, EMS, battery & LED QC in India
Leather Inspection
Footwear, bags & saddlery — Chrome VI, SATRA, LWG
Home Textile Inspection
Towels, bed linen, rugs — OEKO-TEX & ISO 105
Toy Inspection
EN 71, ASTM F963, CPSIA & BIS IS 9873
Ceramics Inspection
Morbi tiles, tableware, sanitaryware — ISO 10545
Jewellery Inspection
Gold, silver, diamonds — BIS HUID & XRF
Auto Components Inspection
IATF 16949, PPAP, dimensional CMM
Cosmetics Inspection
EU CPNP, US MoCRA, ISO 22716 GMP
Inspection — Tirupur
Knitwear & T-shirt QC specialists
Inspection — Moradabad
Brass, metal & home-décor QC
Inspection — Delhi NCR
Garments, leather & fashion QC
Inspection — Jaipur
Block-print, quilts & jewellery QC
Inspection — Panipat
Towels, blankets & home textile QC
Inspection — Jodhpur
Wooden furniture & moisture QC
Inspection — Ludhiana
Sweaters, bicycles & hand tools QC
Inspection — Mumbai
Chemical, pharma & JNPT loading QC
Inspection — Chennai
Leather, auto & Karur textile QC
Inspection — Kolkata
Jute, leather & tea QC
Inspection — Bengaluru
EMS, PCBA & aerospace QC
Inspection — Ahmedabad
Denim, chemical & Morbi ceramic QC
QIMA Alternative
30–40% lower cost, same AQL standards
SGS Alternative
India-specialist QC, 24-hr reports
Bureau Veritas Alternative
Same ISO 2859-1, 30–40% lower cost
Intertek Alternative
Same AQL methodology, 25–35% lower cost