Tips for Extending the Life of Your Screen Printed T-shirt
Screen printed t-shirts are a very popular type of apparel because they can be easily customized. In addition to the wide range of options, these shirts are usually extremely affordable when compared to other custom options. However, some people are under the impression that these shirts will quickly fade once they have been washed, but this is only the case if they are improperly cleaned. Luckily, you can follow a couple of tips to help keep your screen printed shirt looking great after many washes.
Hand Wash It
When most people wash their clothes they will put them in the washing machine and wait for it to finish. However, this is not the best option for screen printed shirts. Washing machines will vigorously scrub clothing, and this can cause the printed part of the shirt to start to peel off. As a result, it is generally best to hand wash these garments.
To do this, you simply need to fill a sink or bathtub with cold water. Wet the shirt before applying a very small amount of detergent to it. Excessive detergent can weaken the bond between the print and the fabric. Rub it gently with your hands for several minutes before rinsing it off.
Air Dry It
Drying a screen printed shirt can be a tricky task if you are trying to using a dryer. These devices emit tremendous amounts of heat that can actually melt the ink off of the shirt. While it may be possible to use the low setting, this still might be hot enough to cause gradual damage to the shirt.
For these reasons, air drying is the preferred option when it comes to these shirts. Interestingly, you should avoid drying it in direct sunlight because the sun's rays can bleach the color out of fabric. Typically, a bathroom with the fan on is an ideal place to dry, and this stems from the ability to turn on the fan to provide ventilation. While it may take longer for it to dry, you can rest assured that you are not damaging the print and ruining the shirt.
Ordering screen printed t-shirts (From companies like Absolute Screen Printing) can allow you to affordably have a garment that fits your personality or business need. However, these shirts require some special care to preserve the integrity of the print, but this does not have to be a difficult task. By simply following these two washing tips, you will be better able to make sure your shirt lasts for as long as possible.