QC Photos: What to Check Before Shipping
Essential QC Angles
Quality control photos are your only opportunity to catch defects before your item leaves the agent warehouse and begins international transit. The most important angles to request are the top-down view, side profile, heel tab close-up, insole logo shot, and sole texture photo. For apparel, you should also ask for front and back flat lays, tag close-ups, and stitching detail shots around high-stress areas like pockets, seams, and collars. Most agents provide three to five free photos, with additional angles available for a small fee.
Lighting matters enormously when evaluating QC photos. Request photos taken in natural or bright white light rather than yellow warehouse bulbs, which can distort colors and hide flaws. If the agent's default photos look dim or unclear, do not hesitate to ask for retakes. A good agent will accommodate reasonable requests without charging extra. We maintain a list of agent-specific QC quality ratings in our community resources to help you choose a warehouse that takes clear, useful photos.
Quick Checklist
- Top-down view for overall shape and symmetry
- Side profile to check proportions and silhouette
- Heel tab and insole logo close-ups
- Sole texture and bottom pattern detail
- Front and back flat lays for apparel
- Stitching detail around pockets and seams
Common Defects to Watch For
Certain defects appear repeatedly across replica categories, and knowing what to look for saves you from disappointment. On sneakers, the most common issues are misaligned stitching around the swoosh or logo, uneven toe box perforations, and glue residue along the midsole seam. For apparel, check that prints are centered and not pixelated, that embroidery has no skipped stitches, and that zippers run smoothly without catching. Accessories often suffer from off-center logos, flimsy hardware, or interior lining that does not match retail specifications.
Not every minor flaw is worth rejecting an item over. A single loose thread or a slightly uneven stitch on an interior seam is usually acceptable and can be fixed at home. However, visible logo misplacement, incorrect colors, or major construction errors should always trigger a return or exchange request. Our spreadsheet includes a defect tolerance rating for each seller, indicating whether they generally produce flawless items or if small imperfections are common and acceptable at their price point.
Acceptable Flaws
Single loose thread, minor interior stitch variance, slight color variation under certain lighting. Fixable at home.
Reject Immediately
Visible logo misplacement, incorrect colors, major construction errors, broken zippers or hardware. Return or exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
Three to five standard angles are usually sufficient. Request extras only for high-value items or if you spot something unclear.
Yes, most agents allow returns within a window of twenty-four to seventy-two hours after QC photos are uploaded.
