Count garments in a batch from a photo

Counting garments off the line, at dispatch and in laundry

Garments are counted at the end of a sewing line against the production order, at dispatch against the packing list, between seasons in the stockroom, and in and out of a laundry or hire service. Soft fabric folds, drapes and overlaps, so the count depends on how pieces are laid out: a heap of shirts cannot be counted from a photo, a row of folded ones can.

Fold pieces to the same size and lay them in rows on a table, one deep, with a gap between each. A folded stack seen from the side shows a fold line per piece, so for stacks, photograph the folded edge straight-on and mark one piece as the example in Similar items. Polybagged garments reflect overhead lights, so tilt the camera slightly or use soft light. Garments on a rail overlap too heavily to count; take them down and fold them, or count them as they go into cartons.

Style, size or bundle number makes a useful label for each checked tally row. Garments packed for shipment are counted faster as cartons on a pallet, buttons and trims for the same order can share the stock-take, and fabric rolls in the cutting room cover the material side.

Garment layout checks

• Pieces folded to one size
• Rows one deep, or stacks shot at the folded edge
• Polybags angled away from overhead lights
• One style or size per tally row