QC photos are your last chance to catch a problem before it ships internationally. After that, returning an item becomes expensive, slow, or impossible. Here are the six things I check on every single QC - and the mistakes that cost me money before I learned to check them.
1. Logo Placement and Size
This is the most obvious thing and the one beginners fixate on. Yes, check that the Nike swoosh isn't backwards. But the real trap is logo positioning - is it centered? Is it the right distance from the collar or hem?
I once GL'd a Stussy hoodie where the chest logo looked fine in isolation. Got it in hand and realized it was sitting 2 inches lower than retail - basically on my stomach instead of my chest. The QC photo was cropped too tight to show the full garment context. Fix: If a QC photo doesn't show the full item with logo visible in relation to collar/hem, request a wider shot. Kakobuy agents will retake this for free.
2. Stitching Consistency (Especially on Footwear)
Zoom in. For sneakers, check: toe box stitching (should be even, no loose threads), heel stitching (should be straight, not wandering), and midsole paint (should be clean, no bleeding onto the upper). For clothing: collar stitching, cuff hems, and seam alignment under the arms.
The most common flaw I see on budget batches is inconsistent stitch density - tight in some spots, loose in others - which causes the seam to pucker or pull. It's subtle in photos but obvious in person.
3. Color Accuracy
QC warehouse lighting makes everything look slightly different from reality. Kakobuy uses fluorescent warehouse lights that tend to wash out dark colors and make everything look a bit cool-toned. A navy hoodie will look lighter. A cream tee will look white.
What to do: Compare the QC photo against retail photos taken in similar flat lighting (not studio-lit product shots). YouTube reviews and Reddit in-hand photos are better references than the brand's website. If the color is a critical part of the item (e.g., a specific shade of green on a Bape hoodie), request a QC photo in natural light. Some agents will do this if you ask nicely.
4. Material Weight and Drape
Hard to judge from photos, but there are clues. A tee that's too thin will look slightly translucent under warehouse lights - you'll see the outline of the back neck tag through the front. A hoodie that should be heavyweight but drapes like a thin towel is probably using the wrong blank.
If you're unsure, request a close-up of the fabric texture. Good French terry has visible loops on the inside. Cheap fleece looks flat and felted. The difference is obvious once you know what to look for.
5. Measurements Match the Size Chart
The #1 cause of "this doesn't fit" is not checking measurements against the size chart. But the #2 cause is the size chart being wrong. Sellers copy-paste generic size charts all the time. Your Large hoodie arrives with a 54cm chest when the chart said 60cm.
Fix: For any item over 150 yuan, request measurement QC photos. Kakobuy will lay the item flat with a measuring tape showing chest width, length, shoulder, and sleeve. Takes an extra day but saves the heartbreak of a beautiful piece that fits like a crop top.
Acceptable variance: 1-2cm for tees and hoodies, 0.5cm for tailored items. More than 3cm off = RL or exchange.
6. The Tag Test
Check wash tags and neck tags against retail references. I know, I know - nobody sees your tags. But wrong tags are often a canary in the coal mine. If the seller couldn't be bothered to get the tag right, what else did they cut corners on?
More practically: wrong size tag can cause problems if your package gets inspected by customs and the declared value doesn't match the "brand" on the tag. It's a minor risk but worth noting.
My QC Checklist (Copy This)
- Logo: centered, correct size, right placement relative to garment landmarks
- Stitching: zoom in on collar, cuffs, toe box, heel, seams
- Color: compare against natural-light retail photos, not studio shots
- Material: check for translucency, drape quality, fabric texture close-up
- Measurements: request tape-measure QC for items over 150 yuan
- Tags: correct format, correct size labeling, no red flags
It takes about 2 minutes per item once you get the rhythm. Over 10 hauls, this checklist has probably saved me 2,000+ yuan in bad purchases. Not bad for 2 minutes of work.