Keep your custom apparel looking fresh
Care Instructions
Your custom apparel is built to last — but how you wash and dry it makes all the difference. Here’s how to keep every stitch, print, and transfer looking its best.
Different decoration methods have different needs. Jump to your method below, or start with our universal tips that apply to everything we make.
General Care Tips
The Golden Rule
Turn inside out, wash cold, hang dry. If you remember nothing else, this alone will extend the life of any decorated garment by 2-3x.
First Wash
Wait at least 24 hours after receiving your order before the first wash. This allows heat-applied decorations (DTF, screen print) to fully cure and bond.
Detergent
Use a mild, liquid detergent. Powder detergents can leave residue that builds up on prints over time. Skip the fabric softener entirely.
Stain Treatment
Treat stains on the fabric around the decoration, not on the decoration itself. Blot — don't rub. Avoid stain removers with bleach or acetone near printed/transferred areas.
Storage
Hang decorated garments or fold them with the decoration facing inward. Don't stack heavy items on top of embroidered or printed areas.
Ironing
Always iron on the reverse side. Place a thin cloth between the iron and any decoration. For embroidery, use a pressing cloth and low-medium heat.
Embroidery
Embroidery is the most durable decoration method. Thread is stitched directly into the fabric, so it won't crack, peel, or fade. With proper care, embroidered garments outlast the fabric itself.
✓Do
- +Turn inside out before washing
- +Wash in cold water (30°C / 85°F or below)
- +Use a gentle or normal cycle
- +Hang dry or tumble dry on low heat
- +Iron on reverse side if needed
- +Store on hangers to avoid creasing the stitching
×Don’t
- –Use bleach or harsh stain removers directly on the embroidery
- –Iron directly on the stitched area
- –Wring or twist the embroidered section
- –Dry clean unless the garment label specifically requires it
Expected Lifespan
Embroidery typically lasts the entire life of the garment. Thread colors stay vibrant through hundreds of wash cycles.
Screen Printing
Screen-printed ink sits on top of the fabric and bonds during the curing process. It's durable and long-lasting, but heat and friction are its enemies. Proper washing habits make a big difference.
✓Do
- +Turn inside out before every wash
- +Wash in cold water — this is the single most important step
- +Use a gentle cycle with mild detergent
- +Hang dry whenever possible
- +If using a dryer, use the lowest heat setting
- +Remove from dryer promptly to avoid heat damage
×Don’t
- –Use hot water — heat breaks down the ink bond over time
- –Tumble dry on high heat (the #1 cause of cracking)
- –Iron directly on the printed area
- –Use fabric softener — it can break down the ink
- –Dry clean screen-printed garments
- –Overload the washer — friction between garments wears prints faster
Expected Lifespan
With cold wash and low/no heat drying, screen prints last 50-100+ washes. Hot dryer cycles can cause visible cracking after 20-30 washes.
DTF Heat Transfer
DTF transfers are heat-bonded to the fabric surface. They hold up well with gentle care, but they're more sensitive to heat and abrasion than embroidery. The transfer can feel slightly raised — that's normal and softens over time.
✓Do
- +Turn inside out before washing
- +Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle
- +Hang dry — this is strongly recommended for DTF
- +If machine drying, use the lowest heat or air-dry setting only
- +Wait at least 24 hours after receiving before first wash
- +Wash with similar colors
×Don’t
- –Use hot water or warm water
- –Tumble dry on medium or high heat
- –Iron directly on the transfer — ever
- –Use bleach or strong detergents
- –Scrub or rub the transfer area when treating stains
- –Put in the dryer immediately after a hot wash
Expected Lifespan
With hang drying, DTF transfers last 40-60+ washes with minimal fading. Heat dryer cycles shorten this significantly.
Chainstitch
Chainstitch creates a chain-loop pattern on the surface of the fabric. It's very durable and has a distinct raised texture. The main risk is snagging — the loops can catch on sharp objects or rough surfaces.
✓Do
- +Turn inside out before washing
- +Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle
- +Hang dry or lay flat to dry
- +Store on padded hangers (especially jackets)
- +Use a garment bag for extra protection in the washer
- +Trim any loose threads carefully with small scissors
×Don’t
- –Snag the stitching on velcro, zippers, or rough surfaces
- –Pull on loose threads — trim them instead
- –Iron directly over the chainstitch
- –Use harsh chemicals or bleach on the stitched area
- –Crumple or stuff chainstitch jackets into tight spaces
Expected Lifespan
Chainstitch is extremely durable and lasts the life of the garment. The texture actually improves with age, developing more character over time.
Quick Reference
| Care category | Emb. | Screen | DTF | Chain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wash Temp | Cold | Cold | Cold | Cold |
| Inside Out | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drying | Hang/Low | Hang/Low | Hang | Hang/Flat |
| Iron? | Reverse | Reverse | No | Reverse |
| Softener | OK | Avoid | Avoid | OK |
| Bleach | Avoid | No | No | Avoid |
We’re here to help.
Have a care question about a specific garment or decoration? Reach out and we’ll help.
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