How to Care for Custom Printed Garments (So They Actually Last)
How to Care for Custom Printed Garments (So They Actually Last)
You’ve gone to the effort of getting custom gear made – whether it’s for your business, race team, club, or your own brand – so the last thing you want is the print fading, cracking or peeling after a couple of washes.
The good news? With the right care, DTG, DTF and other printed garments can look good for a long time. A lot of the horror stories you hear come down to how the shirts are washed and dried, not just how they were printed.
At Right Lane Print & Media, we print in-house using Epson DTG printers along with professional DTF and heat press gear. We see first-hand how much longer garments last when people follow a few simple rules.
Here’s a straightforward guide on how to look after your printed merch so you get the best life out of it.
1. Wash in Cold Water
If you remember nothing else, remember this:
Cold wash is king.
Hot water is rough on both the fabric and the print. It can:
- Soften and weaken inks, leading to faster fading
- Stress cotton fibres and cause shrinkage
- Speed up wear on the print surface, especially on darker garments
Most DTG and DTF care guides recommend a cold or cool wash on a gentle cycle for best longevity.
Our recommendation:
- Machine wash cold, gentle cycle
- Only use warm water if the care label specifically calls for it (and even then, we’d still lean cold where possible)
2. Wash Garments Inside Out
This one is simple but makes a massive difference.
When you wash garments inside out, you protect the print from rubbing up against:
- Zips
- Buttons
- Rough fabrics
- The inside of the washing machine drum
All that friction slowly wears away at the surface of the print. Turning items inside out helps keep colours brighter and designs sharper for longer.
Our recommendation:
- Turn all printed tees, hoodies, polos and trackies inside out before washing
- Keep them inside out for drying too, especially if they’re on a line in the sun
3. Avoid Fabric Softeners and “Oxy” Detergents
This is a big one we see get overlooked.
Fabric softeners, heavy-duty “oxy” stain removers and harsh detergents might be great for old work socks… but they’re not great for printed garments.
Why?
- Many softeners and oxygen-based additives use strong chemicals that can break down ink films and pretreatment, especially on DTG and DTF prints
- They can cause prints to fade faster or lose their vibrancy
- Some can even leave residue that affects the feel of the print
Most professional print and POD platforms specifically say no fabric softener, no harsh bleach, mild detergent only.
Our recommendation:
- Use a mild, regular laundry detergent (no “oxy boost”, “power clean” extras, or heavy stain removers on the print)
- Skip fabric softener altogether on printed garments
- Never pour any bleach or whitening agent directly on or near the print
If you really need to spot treat something, keep it away from the printed area.
4. Skip the Dryer – Air Dry Is Best
We get it – the dryer is convenient. But if you want your prints to last, it’s honestly one of the worst things you can do on a regular basis.
High heat can:
- Make prints more brittle over time
- Encourage cracking or lifting, especially on transfer-based prints
- Shrink cotton garments, which can distort the print and fit
Most print care guides recommend air drying wherever possible and keeping heat low if a dryer absolutely has to be used.
Our recommendation:
- Avoid the dryer for printed garments
- Line dry or air dry inside out, ideally in the shade or out of harsh direct sun
- If you must use a dryer, use low heat and understand it may shorten the life of the print over time
5. Be Gentle With Detailing – No Hot Iron on the Print
This one’s quick and easy:
- Don’t iron directly over the print
- If you need to neaten the area, iron inside out on a low setting or place a cloth between the iron and the garment
A hot iron straight onto DTG, DTF or vinyl can melt, smear or permanently damage the design.
6. Separate Colours (Especially for the First Wash)
This is more general laundry advice, but it matters with prints too.
- Wash lights with lights, darks with darks
- Be careful with brand new, heavily dyed garments in the first couple of washes, as excess dye can bleed
Colour run doesn’t usually ruin a print itself, but it can wreck the overall look of the tee or hoodie.
7. Follow the Care Labels – And Our Extra Tips
Every garment comes with a care label for a reason. Those instructions are written for the fabric itself, while our tips are for protecting the print.
Together, they give you the best shot at maximum life out of your merch.
Our golden combo:
- Follow the care label on the garment for fabric limits
- Add our print-care rules on top:
- Cold wash
- Inside out
- Mild detergent only
- No softener / no harsh “oxy” chemicals
- Avoid the dryer
- Don’t iron the print
Why This Matters (and How It Protects Your Investment)
Whether you’re a business ordering uniforms, a race team doing merch, or a brand sending out online orders, your printed garments are an investment:
- In your image
- In your customers’ experience
- In the perception of your quality
If shirts start cracking or fading after a couple of washes, people don’t always blame the washing machine – they blame the brand on the front.
By following these simple steps, you’re:
- Getting better value from every job
- Reducing the chance of returns or complaints
- Keeping your team or customers looking sharp for longer
Need More Help? We’re Here for Questions Too
Because we print everything in-house at Right Lane Print & Media, we know exactly what goes into each garment – from the AS Colour tees we love using through to the way our Epson DTG and DTF prints behave over time.
We’re a family owned and run shop, but with a fully professional setup, so you get the best of both worlds:
real people you can talk to, and quality that holds up.
If you’re ever unsure about how to care for a particular job – DTG, DTF, embroidery or a mix – just ask. We’re always happy to help you get the most life out of your gear.
Got an idea for custom prints or need uniforms that’ll last?
Reach out to us at Right Lane Print & Media and we’ll get you sorted.
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