The four-point system is the most widely used method for grading woven fabric quality, and it works by giving each defect a penalty of 1 to 4 points according to its length, then expressing the total as points per 100 square yards. Defects up to 3 inches score 1 point, over 3 to 6 inches score 2, over 6 to 9 inches score 3, and anything longer than 9 inches scores 4, with a maximum of 4 points per linear yard however many defects that yard contains. ASTM D5430 describes the method, and most Indian mills and third-party inspectors apply it as standard. A running defect, such as a streak or a faulty selvedge that continues along the roll, is scored at 4 points for every yard it runs.
How the score is calculated
The inspector runs the roll over a lit inspection frame at a controlled speed, usually face up, and records each defect and its length. Points are totalled for the roll and then normalised to 100 square yards: the total points are multiplied by 3,600 and divided by the roll length in yards times the cuttable width in inches. This lets rolls of different lengths and widths be compared on one scale.
Holes, and any defect that is clearly severe irrespective of length, are usually scored 4 points automatically. Points are counted on one face of the fabric only, and defects inside the selvedge are generally not counted unless they intrude into the cuttable area.
Typical defects you will see on reports
- Warp-wise: broken ends, double ends, reed marks, tight or slack ends and knots.
- Weft-wise: broken picks, double picks, thick and thin places, and weft bars from yarn lot changes.
- Processing: dye streaks, side-to-centre shade variation, stains, oil marks, crease marks and stenter holes.
- Structural: holes, floats, slubs above tolerance, and skew or bow beyond the agreed limit.
What it does not cover
The four-point system grades visible defects only. It does not measure shade against the approved standard, width, GSM, fastness, shrinkage or skew, and a roll can pass on points yet fail on any of these. A good inspection report therefore combines the points score with shade grouping, width and length checks, and a note of any cutting restrictions.
Buyers should also agree in advance how shade variation within a roll will be handled, because a roll with a perfect points score and visible side-to-centre shading is still unusable for large panels. The system is a tool for comparing rolls and holding a mill to a limit, not a complete description of the fabric.
How Creston & Co helps
We carry out four-point inspection of rolls before loading, with the points limit, shade grouping and width checks agreed with you in advance. Where a result is disputed, sealed samples go to an NABL-accredited lab. We also supervise the loading and send weekly updates through the order, and a free 20-minute sourcing review is an easy way to set the inspection terms for a new mill.