Keeping your custom t-shirts in tip top condition will not only make you look great, but will save you money as well. Although your custom designed t-shirts will inevitably show some wear and tear as the years go by there are some ways to extending the life of your custom t-shirts.
Extending The Life Of Your Custom T-Shirts
Screen printed custom t-shirts offer a lot more durability because the ink used is plastisol which literally has PVC particles in it making it a tougher ink. However some designs and effects cannot be replicated using this method. The ink rests on top of the fabric which also lends to more durability over time but screen printed apparel also requires basic care to lengthen the life of the print and the garment itself.
Wash custom t-shirts inside out
This will help colors stay vibrant longer and may also assist to keep abrasive surfaces like zippers and buttons from agitating against the surface of your design. This can also help to clean the inside of the tee more efficiently which is ideal since the inside is what makes contact with sweat and oils from skin.
Stick with cold water
Hot water is very harsh and typically unnecessary. By using cold water, you’ll be treating your tees to a gentler bath and preventing unnecessary strain. Plus, you’ll use less electricity, reducing your impact on the environment and lowering your utility bill.
Wash with like colors
Never wash blacks, reds or any dark colors with your white t-shirts. It is best to wash all the similar colors together, as the dye will slowly release out of the t-shirt over time through washing. Wash only whites together. Wash reds together. And wash your darks together.
Hang dry
Heat is your t-shirt’s worst enemy. In addition to avoiding hot water, keep your tee away from high-heat dryer settings. Instead, allow them to hang dry to prevent damage as well as shrinkage. If you simply don’t have the time or space, you could also dry your tees on low or remove them from the dryer halfway through the spin cycle.
Don’t wash after every use
Some of you are probably recoiling in disgust right now, but remember that every time you wash and dry your clothes, you’re speeding up the aging process. If your t-shirt is truly dirty (i.e., there is visible dirt, a stain, or a smell), wash it. If not, fold it back up and return it to your closet.
Never iron custom t-shirts
It seems like an unusual scenario for most but ironing over decorated apparel can cause sublimation of the dye used to colorize the fabric into the design itself plus it weakens the ink used to print the design.
Omaha Shirts & Retro Shirtz
We specialize in screen printing, and designing custom t-Shirts in Omaha Nebraska. You can usually have your very own made custom t-shirts today!
The process of creating, printing, and designing custom t-shirts in Omaha typically takes under 15 minutes per print. Saying we print same day is an understatement.
For us, it’s still important to have personalized service and a touch of in-house design to make a t-shirt screen printing project go off without a hitch. We’ve seen a lot of people using online-only discount printing services that come to us after a printing or embroidery error that put them in a bind.
