What is made in Tiruppur
Tiruppur makes knitted garments, which the trade calls hosiery. DGFT lists the town, as "Tirupur", for hosiery in its Towns of Export Excellence. Knitting, dyeing, compacting, printing, embroidery and sewing are often done by separate units, so one order can pass through several sites before it reaches the packing table, and a fault can start in a unit the garment factory does not control.
| Product | Typical fabrics | Key inspection points |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts and tank tops | Cotton and cotton-polyester single jersey | GSM, side-seam twist, neck rib recovery, print |
| Polo shirts | Piqué with flat-knit collars | Collar curl, placket length, buttonholes, panel shade |
| Children's wear and babywear | Jersey, interlock, rib; snaps and trims | Drawstrings, snap and button pull, sharp points, tracking labels |
| Nightwear and loungewear | Jersey, brushed fleece, cotton-elastane | Waistband elastic, fit, flammability labelling |
Recent trade. Apparel Resources put Tiruppur's garment exports at ₹42,544 crore in 2025-26 against ₹44,747 crore in 2024-25. US tariffs on Indian goods have changed several times since August 2025, so if you buy for the US, check the current duty rate for your product with your customs broker before you order.
What we check for Tiruppur knitwear
Knit faults often appear only after the first wash, so the checks look ahead to it. The product pages carry the full checklist:
| Product | Checks on the day |
|---|---|
| T-shirts and knit tops | Fabric GSM, side-seam position at the hem, neck stretch and recovery, print stretch and tape test, flat measurements |
| Children's clothing | Drawstrings at hood, neck and waist; snap and button pull; small parts; tracking label for the US |
| Nightwear and loungewear | Waistband recovery, fit against the size chart, flammability labels where the market requires them |
| Cotton yarn and fabric | Count and lot on cones before knitting, where you buy fabric or yarn separately |
Every inspection also covers size labels, fibre and care labels, hangtags, barcodes, fold and polybag, and carton markings. Fabric flammability under 16 CFR 1610, lead and phthalates under CPSIA, and certified-fibre claims under OEKO-TEX and GOTS are confirmed by an accredited lab or certificate, not on the factory floor. See garment inspection for the full approach.
Common defects in Tiruppur production
| Defect | Typical cause | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Broken needle tip in a garment | Needle snapped in sewing and not recovered; no needle-control log | Critical |
| Snap or button pulls off a babywear garment | Wrong snap setting or thin fabric without reinforcement | Critical |
| Side seam twists to the front after washing | Fabric spirality from knitting, or panels cut off-grain | Major |
| Barre stripes or holes across the body | Mixed yarn lots or knitting faults missed at fabric inspection | Major |
| Sleeves and body in different shades | Panels cut from different dye lots | Major |
| Print cracks when stretched | Ink under-cured or wrong for stretch fabric | Major |
| Wavy neck rib that does not recover | Rib too loose or overlock tension wrong | Major |
| Untrimmed threads, small marks, crooked labels | Rushed finishing before packing | Minor |
Timing and logistics
We have no inspector based in Tamil Nadu, so an inspector travels in and the travel cost is quoted before you book. Tiruppur lies between Coimbatore and Erode, each under 50 km away in a straight line, so orders across the belt can share one trip.
- Several units per order: a during-production inspection after the first bulk cut and print catches GSM, shade and twist problems while there is still time to fix them.
- Containers: trade press reported in August 2025 that CONCOR's inland container depot at Irugur, Coimbatore, began sending export containers through Kochi and serves exporters in Tirupur. Where cartons are stuffed at the factory, container loading supervision records the count, carton condition and seal.
- Festivals: many units slow down or close around Diwali and for Pongal in mid-January, so allow for this in the ready date.
How to book an inspection in Tiruppur
Send the style numbers, the factory's address and the ready date through the booking form for Tiruppur. Include the size chart with tolerances, the GSM, the approved sample photos and your label and hangtag artwork.
An inspection costs US$249 per man-day plus actual travel cost (Band C); see pricing. Within 24 hours we confirm the inspector, the notice we need, the number of man-days and the price. The report arrives within 24 hours of the inspection, with a verdict of Cleared to load, Hold or Not cleared.
Sources
Are you a quality inspector in Tiruppur?
We work with vetted freelance inspectors near the factories we check. You take assignments in your own area, inspect to our checklist, and Clear To Load pays you, never the factory. Apply to inspect with us.