QUALITY IS NOT AN INSPECTION. IT’S A SYSTEM.
Living Ikon’s quality control process is designed to prevent this — not catch it at the end.
We manage quality at every stage of production, with documented checks, digital reporting, and daily presence in our factory network. By the time your goods are loaded, every piece has been inspected against your approved specification.
Living Ikon uses Qarma — a professional, cloud-based digital quality management platform — to manage and record inspections across our factory network.
Qarma gives us:
- Digital inspection checklists tied to each product specification
- Photographic documentation at key production stages
- Real-time reporting accessible by our team and, where applicable, by buyers
- Audit trails for every inspection, tied to specific production lots
- Non-conformance tracking and resolution records
This means quality is not a verbal assurance — it is a documented, photographed, timestamped record that we stand behind.
PRE-PRODUCTION
Before manufacturing begins, we confirm:
- Raw material receipt and specification check (timber grade, species, moisture content, hardware specifications)
- Sample approval documentation signed off
- Production specification sheet distributed to factory floor and QC team
- Production timeline and checkpoint milestones confirmed
IN-PROCESS (DURING PRODUCTION)
Our team conducts checks at critical production stages:
- Subassembly inspection (joints, dowels, fasteners, and structural integrity before surface finishing)
- Finish application check (colour consistency, coverage, and surface preparation quality)
- Mid-production dimensional check (against approved drawings and specifications)
- Any non-conformances are flagged and documented immediately — production does not continue on a rejected component
PRE-SHIPMENT (FINAL INSPECTION)
A comprehensive inspection of finished goods before container loading:
- Random sampling across the full production run (sample size determined by AQL standard)
- Full dimensional check against specification
- Finish and colour comparison against approved reference sample
- Hardware and mechanism function testing
- Packaging inspection (correct carton, labelling, and protection)
- Photography of packed goods and documentation for buyer records
CONTAINER LOADING
- Loading supervision to confirm correct goods, quantities, and packing
- Container condition check before loading
- Documentation review and confirmation
Structural integrity
- Joint strength and construction method confirmation
- No movement, racking, or instability in assembled pieces
- Hardware correctly installed and functioning
Surface and finish
- Colour matching against approved reference sample
- Surface finish quality (no drips, runs, orange peel, or missed areas)
- Distressing and texture technique consistency across production lot
Dimension and fit
- Key dimensions within agreed tolerance (typically ±3mm for furniture)
- Drawer and door operation
- Flat packing confirmation (where applicable)
Presentation
- Clean surfaces, no scuffs, scratches, or handling damage
- Correct packaging, cushioning, and labelling
- Assembly hardware included and complete
When a non-conformance is identified, our process is clear:
- Document and photograph the issue
- Assess scope — isolated or production-wide
- Determine corrective action — rework, replace, or hold
- Confirm corrective action and re-inspect before release
- Record the event and resolution in Qarma
We communicate non-conformances to buyers promptly. We do not hide problems — we report them and resolve them.
- Pre-shipment inspection report (Qarma-generated, photographic)
- Certificate of conformance confirming goods meet specification
- Container loading report with photographs
- Documentation package for import compliance
