Caring for Your Custom Printed Apparel: Do's and Don'ts

Learn how to wash, dry, and store your custom printed t-shirts, hoodies, and apparel to keep prints looking fresh. Tips for DTF, screen print, and embroidery care.

You invested in custom printed apparel — now make it last. Whether your gear was produced with screen printing , DTF printing , or embroidery , proper care makes the difference between a shirt that looks great for years and one that cracks after a few washes. Here's the complete care guide from The Extreme Print Lab . General Rules for All Printed Apparel Turn garments inside out before washing — this protects the print from friction and agitation Wash in cold water — hot water breaks down adhesives and causes ink to crack faster Avoid bleach and harsh detergents — use a mild, color-safe detergent Skip the dryer when possible — hang dry or tumble dry on low heat Never iron directly on the print — if you must iron, turn inside out or place a cloth over the design Screen Printing Care Screen-printed designs are cured into the fabric at high temperatures, making them very durable. However: Avoid high heat in the dryer — it can cause thick ink deposits to crack over time Don't dry clean screen-printed garments — the chemicals can dissolve plastisol inks Wait 24 hours after receiving your shirts before the first wash (allows full cure) DTF Print Care DTF transfers bond to fabric via adhesive and heat. They're flexible and durable but need slightly different care: Wait 24–48 hours before first wash to allow the adhesive to fully set Always wash inside out — DTF prints can stick to other garments in the wash if face-to-face Low or no heat in the dryer — high heat can reactivate the adhesive and cause peeling Do not use fabric softener — it coats the transfer and can cause lifting at edges Embroidery Care Embroidered items are the most durable — thread doesn't crack, peel, or fade like ink can. Still: Wash on gentle cycle to prevent thread pulls and snags Avoid washing with items that have zippers, hooks, or Velcro — they catch threads For hats , hand wash or use a hat cage in the dishwasher (top rack, no heat dry) Store embroidered caps on a hat rack or stuffed with tissue to maintain shape Storage Tips Fold printed shirts with the design facing inward to prevent transfer marks Store in a cool, dry place — humidity and heat degrade prints over time Don't stack heavy items on top of printed garments For long-term storage, use acid-free tissue paper between layers What to Do If Your Print Is Damaged If a print starts to crack or peel prematurely (within the first few washes), contact us. We stand behind our work and will reprint or replace garments with defective prints. Take a photo of the damage and reach out to our team. Frequently Asked Questions How many washes should a custom print last? With proper care, screen prints and DTF prints should last 50+ washes. Embroidery is essentially permanent — it will outlast the garment itself. Can I put my custom hoodie in the dryer? Yes, but use low heat and turn it inside out. High heat is the number one killer of printed apparel longevity. My DTF print is peeling at the edges — what happened? This usually means the transfer wasn't fully pressed (insufficient heat or pressure) or the garment was washed too soon. Contact us and we'll make it right. Ready to Get Started? Need fresh custom apparel? Whether it's printed tees , embroidered polos, or DTF gang sheets you press yourself, we've got you covered. Get a Quote Now and let's get your brand looking sharp.