Printing shirts is fun but maintaining those prints requires some effort. In the beginning of my journey, I was unaware of sublimation shirt care instructions. I thought it’s like a normal cloth piece which can be washed with regular clothes. But I was wrong.
My prints started fading, leaving me astonished. After a few instances I researched and realized there are certain laundering instructions which I missed.
I do not want you to face the same issue so here are my pro tips for maintaining vibrant color of your prints. Follow along for the methods of washing and tips for maintaining prints.
Key takeaways
- Wash printed shirts separately to avoid color bleeding.
- Never use harsh chemicals or bleach as they may damage the prints.
- To preserve design and t-shirt, use cold water and mild detergent.
- I recommend either hand washing or using a delicate cycle on the washing machine.
- Avoid twisting or wringing the cloth to prevent distorting or stretching the print.
How long should you wait to wash a printed shirt?
Remember that a newly printed design may quickly fade if it is washed too soon. I recommend a minimum waiting time of 24 hours before washing the newly printed shirt. It will let the ink absorb completely in the fabric, making a permanent bond with it. It will also ensure that the design is smooth after laundry.
I always wait for 72 hours before washing as it makes the printer even more durable. These extra rest hours ensure that the print remains vibrant and bright even after multiple washes in future.
How to prepare sublimated shirts for washing?
I always follow the below steps to prepare clothes for laundry. It prevents potential damage and saves the prints.
1. Care instructions
You should be aware that different fabrics may have different washing requirements. So you should first check the type of fabric you are going to wash and take action accordingly.
2. Pre treatment of stains
If there’s any stain on the cloth, spot treat them before washing. For stains I use a mixture of mild detergent or combination of gentle stain remover and water.
3. Turn cloth inside out
By doing this the design won’t rub against other surfaces or clothes during wash.
Choose right washing method
While washing the sublimated shirts, it is important to choose the right washing instructions for preserving the quality. Here are some of my recommendations.
1. Hand washing
It is the best way to wash dyed printed shirts. For this fill a sink or basin with water and add mild laundry detergent. Now gently agitate the shirt in the solution for a few minutes and then rinse with clean water. Squeeze gently to take out excess water. Never twist or wring the shirt as it may damage the design or fabric.
2. Machine washing
If you are washing sublimated clothes in machine, then use gentle or delicate cycle with cold water. Also use mild laundry detergent specially designed for delicate fabrics. Never use fabric softener or bleach as they may damage the fabric and can also affect the print vibrancy. To protect the shirt from rubbing against other fabric you can use a mesh laundry bag. Also, do not forget to remove the shirt from the machine as soon as the cycle is complete.
3. Dry cleaning
If your shirt is labeled as ‘dry clean’ only then take it to a professional dry cleaner only as they are experts in dealing with sublimated prints and delicate fabrics. Tell them about the nature of cloth and the stains which need attention.
Drying methods to maintain longevity of shirts
The process of drying has a great impact on the appearance and longevity of sublimation shirts. Some guidelines which I follow are.
1. Never use a dryer
Dryers can cause damage, fading and shrinkage to the design. So to preserve the quality of your printed shirt, it is best to avoid the dryer.
2. Air drying
Drying shirts naturally is always safe. You can hang the shirt on the drying rack or clothesline or you can lay it flat on the clean towel. I also suggest not hanging the cloth directly under the sun as prolonged exposure to the sun may fade the colors.
3. Ironing precautions
Ideally there is no need to iron your shirt sd tr design will already heat set, but if you still want then use a low heat setting iron and place a cotton cloth over the shirt to protect design.
Tips to remove tough stains from a sublimated shirt?
Accidentally if your shirt i stained then follow below tips
1. Spot treating
If the stain is small then spot treat the stain with the stain remover or you can use the mixture of water and mild detergent. You can use a sponge or soft cloth to gently rub the stain remover over the spot and then rise it with cold water.
2. Act quick
If you can quickly act to treat the stain, the better is the chance of removing it. Wipe off the solid residue or blot the excess liquid without rubbing it on the fabric.
3. Soaking
If the shirt has got a tough stain you can soak the entire cloth in the sink or basin full of lukewarm water and stain remover or mild detergent. Gently agitate the cloth to loosen the stain and then wash it with clean water.
4. Professional help
If you are unsure about how to treat the stain, it is best to seek professional help.
Methods to store sublimated shirts
You might be confused about how to care for sublimation shirts properly to maintain prints. Here are some tips you can follow.
1. Fold neatly
To prevent wrinkles and creases you must fold the shirts neatly. Also, do not hang them for a long time as it may cause the fabric to stretch or lose its shape.
2. Clean and dry
Make sure your sublimated shirt is completely clean and dry before folding. Storing damp shirts can result in mold or mildew growth which will damage the print and fabric.
3. Avoid direct sunlight
Exposure to direct sunlight may cause color fading so always store the shirts in cool and dark places.
4. Avoid tight space
Tightly packed and overcrowded spaces can result in wrinkles and can damage the prints so always provide enough room to every cloth.
Tips to maintain fully printed shirts
Fully printed clothes are gaining popularity. But to ensure the longevity of the vibrant prints, proper care is needed. Here are some sublimated shirt laundry instructions which I follow.
1. Follow wash instructions
The most important care tip for a fully sublimated shirt is to always follow wash instructions. Your manufacturer must have specified laundering technique, washing temperature and any other requirements for maintaining print. Ideally completely sublimated shirts should be washed in cold water using mild detergent. You should also turn the shirt inside out to protect the color. Also, you should avoid using chemicals and bleach.
2. Wash with similar colors or separately
To maintain the vibrancy of prints and to prevent color transfer I recommend washing the fully printed shirts to be washed separately or with the same colors. It will prevent the dye from other clothes from seeping into the fabric and affecting the quality of print.
However if you are washing with other clothes make sure they are of the same color and do not contain any potential color bleeders. I also recommend not to wash towels or any other fabric having rough texture as it can cause friction resulting in premature wear and tear of the design.
3. Right temperature settings
High temperature is not recommended for printed shirts as it can result in color fading. So avoid hot water cycle and high temperature drying. Instead, you can use lukewarm or cold water for washing. Also, I recommend dry clothes in air or low heat settings in the dryer.
4. Handle with care
Make sure not to pull or stretch the fabric as it can result in peel or crack in the print. Also while folding, avoid creasing the printed area to preserve the print.
Conclusion
Sublimation shirts washing tips is a big question but with these expert tips you can easily maintain the long-lasting vibrancy and quality of prints. I have also messed up sometimes which result in damaged designs, and I have to recreate my prints. But if you follow all instructions closely your print is going to last long. You can also check out this video by my friend for quick reference.
FAQs
Q- Will the dye – sub prints fade after washing?
Heat transfer printing is a durable printing technique, and the ink will not fade if you follow wash instructions carefully. Make sure to use soft detergents, gentle cleaning method, not drying in direct sun light. However, if you are using hot water, bleach or chemicals then the ink will surely fade away.
Q- How many washes does sublimation printing shirts last?
The Prints are so durable that they can withstand multiple washes. When proper care is taken it can last for multiple years. So, always wash your sublimated shirts inside out with mild detergents and on cold cycle. If you are using a dryer, dry it in cold settings or best it to dry naturally in shade.
Q- How can you dry sublimated shirts?
To dry a printed shirt, you should always hang them on a wooden cloth hanger. I do not recommend using a tumble dryer as its heat may damage the prints and it may fade out soon. Also, make sure to not dry them in direct sun light as this is also the main reason for faded designs.
Q- Why did my prints wash out?
If you have followed wash care instructions and still your prints are washed out, then it may be due to poor quality ink as it must have not made bond with the fabric. make sure to use high quality sublimation ink as these are capable to make permanent bond with your substrate.
Q- Will dye – sub prints wash out of cotton?
If the cotton fabric is not treated with initial coating or primer, then the ink will wash out. Also, the quality of ink used for printing should be good so that it does not destroy or smudge the fabric.
