On a polo shirt, the collar, the placket and the colour tell a buyer more about quality than anything else, so check those three first, then the logo, seams, measurements and labels. This polo shirt quality checklist is built around those priorities, and it works for the sample you approve and for the bulk delivery that follows it.
A T-shirt can get away with an average neck. A polo cannot, because the collar sits right at eye level when someone is wearing it. Here is what to look at, and why.
The collar
The collar is the first thing people see and the first thing to show wear.
- Shape. Lay the polo flat and look at the collar from above. Both collar points should be the same length and shape.
- Lie. Button the polo and check the collar sits flat around the neck, without rolling or curling at the points.
- Recovery. Fold the collar up and down a few times. A good knitted collar returns to shape.
- Attachment. Look at where the collar joins the body. The seam should be even, with no puckering at the back neck.
- After washing. Wash and dry the sample, then check again. Curling collar points after one wash are a reason to discuss the sample before approval.
Tipped collars
On a tipped collar polo, the contrast stripes on the collar and cuffs should be even in width, straight and in the same colour on both collar and cuffs. Check the tipping colour against your club or brand colour in daylight.
The placket and buttons
The placket is the buttoned opening at the front neck.
- Straightness. The placket should run straight down the centre, not drift to one side.
- Length. Both sides should finish level at the bottom.
- Stitching. The box stitch at the base of the placket should be neat and secure, since it takes strain every time the polo goes on and off.
- Buttons. They should be evenly spaced, firmly sewn and aligned with the buttonholes.
- Buttonholes. Clean-cut, with no loose threads, and the right size for the buttons.
Button and unbutton the polo several times. It should feel smooth, not stiff or loose.
Look at the placket from the inside as well. The facing should lie flat, with no twisted fabric or bulky seam allowance that would push the placket out of line when worn. On long sleeve polos, apply the same checks to the cuffs: even width, neat stitching and buttons, if used, that sit straight.
Colour
Colour matters a great deal on polos because they are often matched to a company or club identity.
- Compare the sample with your swatch or reference in daylight, not under shop or office lights.
- If you have more than one colour in the order, compare them side by side.
- Check the collar and cuffs match the body colour, unless they are meant to contrast.
- After washing, check the colour again, especially on dark shades.
We offer solid colours from our fabric options, and fabric can be sourced to your approved swatch where possible. The sample is where you confirm the colour is right.
Logo, seams and measurements
Logo
Embroidery on the left chest is the usual choice. Check:
- position against your instructions, measured from the shoulder seam and from the placket;
- size against your artwork;
- thread colours against your logo;
- the back of the embroidery, which should be neat, with a backing that does not show through;
- the fabric around the logo, which should lie flat rather than pucker.
Seams and hems
Look at the shoulder seams, side seams, sleeve hems and bottom hem. Stitching should be even with no skipped stitches or loose threads. If the polo has side vents, check both are the same length and finished neatly.
Measurements
Measure chest width, body length, sleeve length and shoulder width, and compare with the size chart you plan to use. Try it on people at both ends of your size range.
Bulk delivery
Bulk should match the approved sample. Check a spread of pieces from different cartons, sizes and colours.
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| Count | Pieces by style, size and colour against your order |
| Collar | Look at collar shape and lie on several pieces per carton |
| Placket | Check straightness and buttons on several pieces |
| Colour | Compare pieces from different cartons in daylight |
| Logo | Measure position on several pieces per size |
| Labels | Neck label, size, wash-care label, hang tag if used |
| Packing | Fold, polybag, stickers, bundling by department or name |
Write down anything that differs from the sample, with photos and the carton number. Specific notes let us check quickly. Our quality check before packing covers the same points: measurements against the approved sample, collar and placket, logo position, colour, labels and finish.
How the polos are folded and packed also affects how the collar arrives. Our post on polo shirt labels, logo placement tags and folded packing explains the options.
Start with a sample from our white label polo shirts. Send us the style, fabric, colours, logo file with position, and the size breakdown, and we will confirm sample terms in the quotation.