How to Maintain and Care for DTF Printed Apparel
Most custom apparel decorated with DTF transfers have a life that is as full of colors and vibrance as your skin. If you want to be noticed that way, you should know how to care for the printed design as soon as you’ve paid a lot of money to print it. Or perhaps you’ve already created some custom T-shirts with your own photo or design after spending many hours and want to know how to maintain the custom T-shirts, make them look new for a long time, and how to extend the life of the printed design. We will work it all here in this blog for you at DTF Center. We will cover the below topics:
• How to take care of DTF printed shirts
• How long do DTF prints last/under what conditions they can last longer?
• Tips to make DTF transfers last longer
• Do DTF prints wash well?
How to Take Care of DTF Printed Shirts
Washing Instructions
• Flip Inside Out: Always wash your DTF printed shirts inside out so that the print doesn’t rub against other clothing to keep the print intact.
• Cold Water Wash: Wash all your shirts with DTF press printed designs in cold water. While the laundry detergent might not dissolve well in cold water, at least the shirt doesn’t shrink (and the print lasts a little longer).
• Mild Detergent: Use a light-colored, non-bleach detergent to avoid fading the print and chemical burn holes in the fabric.
• Gentle Cycle: Place the shirts in the gentle cycle setting on your washing machine to reduce stress on the print.
Drying Instructions
• Air Dry: Allow DTF printed shirts to dry by air drying, hang up or lay flat in a shaded area.
• No Heat: If you decide to use a dryer, set it to the lowest heat, and never use a steamer or iron on a print or it will likely crack.
• No Ironing on Print: Do not iron on the DTF print. Iron the garment inside out on the lowest heat setting if necessary.
Storing Instructions
• Cool, Dry Place: Keep printed DTF shirts in a cool, dry place not exposed to sunlight.
• Fold Gently: Fold your shirts carefully to avoid creasing the print. Don’t stack books or other heavy items on top of them.
How Long Does a DTF Print Last on a Shirt?
Durability of DTF Transfers
DTF prints are durable and the colors are vivid. With love and care, they can outlive the garment they’re printed on. Typically, DTF prints are very durable, and fading and peeling well after hundreds of washes is not uncommon.
Factors Affecting
• Quality of Transfer: DTF transfers are only as durable as the quality of transfer. Higher-quality DTF transfers those made with premium ink and films have a longer lifesan than lower quality transfers.
• Fabric Base: Although DTF transfers work with almost everything, cotton and cotton blends are the best option. Some synthetic fabrics may reject or not stick to the print as well.
• Washing and Drying: Proper washing and drying significantly extend the lifespan of the print.
How to Make DTF Transfers Last Longer
Pre-Wash Tips
• Wash Before First Wear: This helps purge residue from the printing process and set the print.
• Don’t Use Fabric Softener: Fabric softeners break down the glue of the DTF print so don’t use them.
Handling Tips
• Friction Reduction: Don’t lift anything heavy or participate in sports that grind away at your print.
• Spot Clean: Small stains on your dress shirt are no longer a reason for a full wash – spot cleaning is all that’s needed to make sure your shirt is spick and span.
Long-Term Care Tips
• Wear Less: Pair up your DTF printed shirts with other clothes so that you don’t have to wash them as often.
• Protect the Print with Fabric Protector: Use a fabric protector spray to protect the print against dirt and spills.
Do DTF Prints Wash Well?
Washing Performance
Overall, DTF prints have great washing performance if you follow care instructions properly. They still have enough color and adhesion. Here are some points about the washing performance of DTF transfers:
• Color Retention: DTF prints do an exceptional job of retaining their color. They look great for many washes.
• No Cracking or Peeling: Once washing and drying are done right, DTF prints won’t crack or peel, and your design won’t be gone!
• Soft Hand Feel: DTF prints provide a soft hand feell, which means that the print won’t be rigid and weigh down the fabric.
Best Practices for Washing DTF Printed Shirts
• Pay Attention to Care Labels: Always follow the care labels on your shirts and the recommendations provided by your DTF transfer supplier, like DTF Center.
• Cold Wash Only: Stick to cold water washes to preserve the print’s quality.
• Do Not Overload the Washing Machine: This puts undue stress on the prints.
Conclusion
Simply making sure your DTF print shirts are washed, drid, and stored according to the proper care directions can help extend the life of your DTF printed shirts. By buying DTF transfers from reputable suppliers that offer high-quality DTF transfer print, individuals can not only produce excellent DTF designs with their sublimation printers but also keep them looking great wash after wash.