T-Shirt Care Guide

How to ensure your shirts are long-lasting!

This was a previous post from a newsletter I posted awhile back. However, I find this information to be extremely helpful so I’m reiterating it here on the blog. Continuing reading to learn how to make your Screen Printed, DTG Garments, and Embroidered Shirts and Clothing last longer.

DTG: Direct to Garment 

A DTG or Direct-to-Garment printed shirt is a type of apparel that has had a digital image or design printed directly onto the fabric using specialized inkjet printer. This method of printing allows for high-quality, detailed designs to be printed on a variety of different types of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and even blends. The designs are printed using special inks that are absorbed by the fibers of the fabric, resulting in a final product that is highly durable and long-lasting. 

Here are some tips and tricks on how to properly care for your DTG printed shirt.

1. Wash your shirt inside out on a gentle cycle with cold water.
2. Use a mild detergent and avoid using bleach or fabric softeners.
3. Hang dry or tumble dry on a low heat setting.
4. If ironing is necessary, iron on the reverse side of the design.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your DTG printed shirt will maintain its vibrant colors and design for a long time.

Embroidery

Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread! You can create neat and unique threaded designs such as the ones on MackAttacksArt.com!

Here are some steps you can take to properly care for an embroidered shirt:

1. Turn the shirt inside out before washing to protect the embroidery from snagging or getting caught on other items during the wash cycle.
2. Use a gentle cycle and cold water to wash the shirt. Avoid using bleach or fabric softeners, as these can damage the thread and discolor the embroidery.
3. Hang dry or tumble dry on a low heat setting. Avoid using high heat, as it can shrink the shirt and cause the embroidery to wrinkle.
4. When ironing, use a low heat setting and place a press cloth over the embroidery to protect it. Never iron directly on the embroidery.
5. Store the shirt properly by folding it neatly or hanging it up to avoid stretching or distorting the embroidery

Screen Printing

Screen printing, also known as silk screening, is a method of printing that uses a stencil or mesh screen to transfer ink onto a surface, such as fabric, paper, or metal. The stencil, or “screen,” is created by blocking off areas of the mesh with a non-permeable material, such as a photo-sensitive emulsion or stencil film. Ink is then forced through the open areas of the mesh onto the surface below, creating the printed image.

Here are some steps you can take to properly care for a screen-printed shirt:

1. Turn the shirt inside out before washing to protect the screen print from fading or peeling.
2. Use a gentle cycle and cold water to wash the shirt. 
3. Hang dry or tumble dry on a low heat setting. Avoid using high heat, as it can shrink the shirt and cause the print to crack or peel.
4. If ironing is necessary, use a low heat setting and place a press cloth over the screen print to protect it. Never iron directly on the screen print.

I know that some of these instructions might seem redundant, but some aspects of t-shirt care are universal to the type of print methods! 

Take the steps to ensure that your shirts stay fantastic!

Ready for a t-shirt of your own?