Care Instructions

Care by Material Type

Different fibers react differently to heat and agitation.

100% Cotton

• The Risk: Shrinkage and Fibrillation (when tiny fibers break and make the shirt look faded).

• The Instructions: Wash in Cold Water to preserve fibers.

• Turn Inside Out to protect the outer surface.

• Tumble Dry Low or Hang Dry (Recommended) to prevent shrinking.

• Avoid Bleach, which eats away at natural cotton fibers.

50/50 Cotton-Poly Blends (Hoodies/Sweatshirts)

• The Risk: Pilling (small lint balls) and heat damage to the polyester.

• The Instructions:

• Wash with Like Colors to prevent lint transfer.

• Use Gentle Cycle to keep the inner fleece soft.

• Low Heat Dryer is safe, but remove promptly to prevent static and wrinkles.

• Fabric Softener is okay in moderation, but skip it if the garment has a print.

Care by Print Method

Most overlooked mistakes. Each ink has a different melting point.

Screen Print Ink (Plastisol/Puff/Water-based)

• The Challenge: Cracking or peeling over time due to high heat.

• The Instructions:

• Wait 24-48 Hours after receiving before the first wash.

• Wash Cold & Inside Out (The Golden Rule).

• No Ironing: Never touch a hot iron to the print. If you must iron, use the lowest setting on the inside of the shirt.

• Avoid High Heat: High-heat dryers are the #1 cause of cracked ink.

Vinyl (Heat Transfer Vinyl)

• The Challenge: Adhesive failure. Vinyl is essentially glued on. Heat can melt that glue and cause peeling.

• The Instructions:

• Absolutely No Dry Cleaning. The chemicals will lift the vinyl immediately.

• Wait 24 Hours before washing.

• Mild Detergent Only: Avoid heavy-duty or oxygenated cleaners.

• Hang Dry Only: This is the best way to ensure the vinyl stays flat and bonded.

DTF (Direct to Film)

• The Challenge: Maintaining the stretch and vibrancy of the film.

• The Instructions:

• Cold/Warm Wash: Avoid Sanitize or Hot settings.

• Turn Inside Out: Protects the film from abrasive items like jeans or zippers.

• Do Not Dry Clean.

• Low Heat Tumble: DTF is durable, but constant high heat can cause edge-lift over time.

Specialty Care (Rhinestones)

Rhinestones are the most delicate item in your client's shop.

• Hand Wash Recommended: If possible, hand wash in a sink with mild soap.

• Delicate Cycle: If using a machine, use a Mesh Laundry Bag to prevent stones from snagging on other clothes.

• Never Tumble Dry: The heat and tumbling will knock stones loose. Always Hang Dry.

• Check the Bond: If a stone feels loose after a wash, you can often re-press it using a piece of parchment paper and a low-heat iron (no steam).

The Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet

The Specialty Vinyl Care Guide

Standard Heat Transfer Vinyl (Smooth/Matte)

The workhorse of vinyl. It’s thin and flexible but sensitive to chemical breakdown.

• The Rule: Wait 24 hours before the first wash.

• Water Temp: Cold or Warm (not Hot).

• Avoid: Green/Organic detergents that contain high levels of eucalyptus or citrus oils, as these can actually dissolve the adhesive over time.

• Drying: Tumble dry on low is fine, but hang drying preserves the bond longest.

Glitter Vinyl

Glitter vinyl is thicker and has a textured surface that can be abrasive to other clothes.

• The Rule: Wash Inside Out is mandatory to prevent the glitter from sanding down other garments in the load.

• Water Temp: Cold only.

• Avoid: Fabric softeners. Softeners can get trapped in the texture of the glitter and dull the sparkle.

• Drying: Hang dry. High heat can cause the glitter layer to separate from the adhesive base.

Puff Vinyl (3D Effect)

Puff vinyl is the most volatile because it expands when heat is applied. Once it’s puffed, it becomes more porous and delicate.

• The Rule: Hand Wash is ideal, but if machine washing, use the Delicate Cycle.

• The Risk: Heavy agitation can "deflate" or wrinkle the puff effect.

• Drying: Air Dry Only. Putting puff vinyl in a hot dryer is the fastest way to make it look like a raisin (crinkled and shrunk).

• Ironing: Never iron. Even the weight of an iron can permanently flatten the 3D effect.

Metallic / Foil Vinyl

This is the most fragile of all vinyl types. The mirror finish is a very thin top layer that can scratch or dull easily.

• The Rule: Hand Wash if possible.

• The Risk: After a few washes, foil tends to look distressed. This is normal, but to delay it, avoid any friction.

• Drying: Hang Dry Only. The heat of a dryer can cause the metallic layer to cloud or lose its mirror finish.

• Pro-Tip: If it gets wrinkled, use a handheld steamer on the inside of the garment.

Flock Vinyl (Suede/Velvet feel)

Flock has a fuzzy texture that acts like a magnet for lint.

• The Rule: Wash with similar colors (don't wash a black flock shirt with a white towel!).

• Maintenance: If it picks up lint, use a lint roller or a piece of scotch tape to gently lift debris off the design.

• Drying: Tumble dry on low is actually beneficial here—it helps fluff the fibers back up.