Care Instructions

How to care for your custom printed apparel to maintain vibrant colours and durability

Last updated: 27 July 2026

General Care Guidelines

Do

Turn garments inside out before washing
Wash in cold water (30 C or below)
Use mild detergent
Hang dry or tumble dry on low heat
Iron from the inside if needed
Wash similar colours together

Don't

Use bleach or harsh chemicals
Wash in hot water
Use fabric softener (can affect adhesion)
Dry clean (unless specified)
Iron directly on prints
Expose to direct heat or sunlight for extended periods

Print Method Specific Care

DTF (Direct to Film) Prints

Washing

Turn inside out before washing
Cold water (30 C) with mild detergent
Gentle cycle recommended
Avoid harsh agitation

Drying

Hang dry preferred, or tumble dry on low heat
Remove promptly from dryer
Avoid high heat settings

Ironing

Iron from the inside (reverse side)
Use low to medium heat
Never iron directly on the print

Sublimation Prints

Washing

Machine washable (inside out recommended)
Cold to warm water (30-40 C)
Use mild detergent
Can be washed with other garments

Drying

Tumble dry on low heat or hang dry
Sublimation is very durable and fade-resistant
Can withstand normal drying cycles

Special Notes

Sublimation prints are permanent (ink is in the fabric)
Won't crack, peel, or fade
Safe for activewear and performance garments

HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) Prints

Washing

Turn inside out before washing
Cold water (30 C) with mild detergent
Gentle cycle recommended
Avoid fabric softener (can weaken adhesion)

Drying

Hang dry preferred
If using dryer, use low heat
Remove promptly to avoid excessive heat

Ironing

Cool iron from the inside only
Never iron directly on vinyl
Avoid high heat settings

Washing Tips

Water Temperature

Cold (30 C): Best for all print types, preserves colours
Warm (40 C): Acceptable for sublimation, avoid for DTF/HTV
Hot (60 C+): Avoid - can damage prints and cause fading

Detergents

Use mild, colour-safe detergents
Avoid bleach and harsh chemicals
Skip fabric softener (can affect print adhesion)
Pre-treat stains carefully, avoid print areas

Drying Guidelines

Hang Dry

Best method for all print types. Preserves print quality and prevents shrinkage.

Best for: DTF, HTV, Sublimation

Tumble Dry Low

Acceptable for most prints. Use low heat setting and remove promptly.

Best for: Sublimation, DTF (low heat)

Line Dry

Natural drying method. Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods.

Best for: All print types

Troubleshooting

Print is cracking or peeling

This may indicate improper care. Avoid high heat, harsh detergents, and fabric softener. Wash inside out on cold.

Colours are fading

Wash in cold water, avoid direct sunlight when drying, and use colour-safe detergents. Turn garments inside out.

Print feels stiff

This is normal for some print types. The feel will soften after a few washes. Avoid fabric softener.

Edges are lifting

For HTV, this may indicate improper initial pressing. Contact us if this happens with new garments.

Related Resources

DTF Printing

Learn about DTF printing services

Sublimation

Learn about sublimation printing

FAQ

Common questions about care

Have Care Questions?

If you have specific questions about caring for your custom printed apparel, our team is here to help.

General Care Guidelines

Do

Turn garments inside out before washing
Wash in cold water (30 C or below)
Use mild detergent
Hang dry or tumble dry on low heat
Iron from the inside if needed
Wash similar colours together

Don't

Use bleach or harsh chemicals
Wash in hot water
Use fabric softener (can affect adhesion)
Dry clean (unless specified)
Iron directly on prints
Expose to direct heat or sunlight for extended periods

Print Method Specific Care

DTF (Direct to Film) Prints

Washing

Turn inside out before washing
Cold water (30 C) with mild detergent
Gentle cycle recommended
Avoid harsh agitation

Drying

Hang dry preferred, or tumble dry on low heat
Remove promptly from dryer
Avoid high heat settings

Ironing

Iron from the inside (reverse side)
Use low to medium heat
Never iron directly on the print

Sublimation Prints

Washing

Machine washable (inside out recommended)
Cold to warm water (30-40 C)
Use mild detergent
Can be washed with other garments

Drying

Tumble dry on low heat or hang dry
Sublimation is very durable and fade-resistant
Can withstand normal drying cycles

Special Notes

Sublimation prints are permanent (ink is in the fabric)
Won't crack, peel, or fade
Safe for activewear and performance garments

HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) Prints

Washing

Turn inside out before washing
Cold water (30 C) with mild detergent
Gentle cycle recommended
Avoid fabric softener (can weaken adhesion)

Drying

Hang dry preferred
If using dryer, use low heat
Remove promptly to avoid excessive heat

Ironing

Cool iron from the inside only
Never iron directly on vinyl
Avoid high heat settings

Washing Tips

Water Temperature

Cold (30 C): Best for all print types, preserves colours
Warm (40 C): Acceptable for sublimation, avoid for DTF/HTV
Hot (60 C+): Avoid - can damage prints and cause fading

Detergents

Use mild, colour-safe detergents
Avoid bleach and harsh chemicals
Skip fabric softener (can affect print adhesion)
Pre-treat stains carefully, avoid print areas

Drying Guidelines

Hang Dry

Best method for all print types. Preserves print quality and prevents shrinkage.

Best for: DTF, HTV, Sublimation

Tumble Dry Low

Acceptable for most prints. Use low heat setting and remove promptly.

Best for: Sublimation, DTF (low heat)

Line Dry

Natural drying method. Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods.

Best for: All print types

Troubleshooting

Print is cracking or peeling

This may indicate improper care. Avoid high heat, harsh detergents, and fabric softener. Wash inside out on cold.

Colours are fading

Wash in cold water, avoid direct sunlight when drying, and use colour-safe detergents. Turn garments inside out.

Print feels stiff

This is normal for some print types. The feel will soften after a few washes. Avoid fabric softener.

Edges are lifting

For HTV, this may indicate improper initial pressing. Contact us if this happens with new garments.