Neps are defined as one or more fibers occurring in a tangled and unorganized mass. Neps are created when fibers become tangled in the process of harvesting, ginning and other operations. They cause difficulty for mills and detract from the appearance of yarns and fabrics. The current paradigm views neps as contaminants rather then quality defects, this view steers research into detection and removal of neps. The purpose of our research is to shift the paradigm to where neps are seen as a quality defect and focus on controlling and minimizing nep formation.