Why Proper Care Matters for Custom Sweatshirts
You invested time designing the perfect custom sweatshirt, chose the right color, nailed the artwork, and waited eagerly for it to arrive. The last thing you want is for the print to crack, the colors to fade, or the fabric to pill after a few washes. The good news is that with the right care, your custom sweatshirt can look fresh for years. It just takes a few simple habits.
Whether your sweatshirt is screen printed, embroidered, or heat pressed, the care tips below will help you preserve both the garment and the decoration.
Washing Your Custom Sweatshirt
Turn It Inside Out
This is the single most important thing you can do to protect a printed sweatshirt. Turning it inside out before washing reduces friction between the print and other garments in the load. It also minimizes direct contact with the agitator in top-loading machines. Make this a habit every time you wash your sweatshirt, regardless of the decoration type.
Use Cold Water
Hot water is the enemy of custom prints. It breaks down the ink bond with the fabric, causes colors to bleed, and accelerates shrinkage. Always wash your custom sweatshirts in cold water (60-80 degrees Fahrenheit). Cold water is just as effective at cleaning everyday dirt and odors, especially with modern detergents formulated for cold-water washing.
Choose the Gentle or Delicate Cycle
The gentle cycle uses slower agitation and a shorter spin cycle, which puts less stress on both the fabric and the print. If your machine doesn’t have a gentle option, a “permanent press” setting is the next best choice. Avoid heavy-duty or sanitize cycles, which use aggressive agitation and high temperatures.
Use Mild Detergent
Skip detergents with bleach, optical brighteners, or heavy fragrances. These additives can break down screen printing ink and cause embroidery thread to fade or become brittle. A simple, dye-free, fragrance-free liquid detergent is the safest choice. Avoid powder detergents, which can leave residue that builds up on prints over time.
Don’t Overload the Machine
Cramming too many items into one load increases friction and can physically damage prints. Give your custom sweatshirts room to move freely in the wash. As a rule, the load should fill no more than three-quarters of the drum.
Skip the Fabric Softener
Fabric softener coats fibers with a thin layer of chemicals that can interfere with the adhesion of screen printing ink. Over time, this coating causes prints to crack and peel prematurely. If you want softer fabric, add a half cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle instead. It softens without leaving residue.
Drying Your Custom Sweatshirt
Air Dry When Possible
Hanging your sweatshirt to dry is the gentlest option for both the fabric and the print. Use a sturdy hanger or lay it flat on a clean, dry towel. If you hang it, reshape the shoulders and body while it’s still damp to prevent stretching. Avoid direct sunlight, which can fade both the fabric color and the print over time.
If You Must Use a Dryer
Not everyone has the space or patience to air dry. If you need to use a machine dryer, follow these guidelines:
- Use the lowest heat setting. High heat is the primary cause of print cracking and peeling. Low heat or the “tumble dry low” setting is sufficient to dry a sweatshirt.
- Remove it while slightly damp. Over-drying stresses the fibers and the print. Pull the sweatshirt out while it still feels very slightly damp and let it finish air drying on a hanger.
- Keep it inside out. Just like in the wash, keeping the sweatshirt inside out in the dryer reduces friction on the print.
- Don’t use dryer sheets. Like fabric softener, dryer sheets leave a coating that degrades screen printing ink. Wool dryer balls are a safe alternative that reduces static without chemicals.
Caring for Different Decoration Types
Screen Printed Sweatshirts
Screen printing uses plastisol or water-based ink that sits on top of the fabric. It’s durable when cared for properly, but it’s vulnerable to heat, friction, and harsh chemicals. Follow all the washing and drying tips above, and avoid ironing directly on the print. If you need to remove wrinkles near the print, iron the sweatshirt inside out with a pressing cloth between the iron and the print.
Embroidered Sweatshirts
Embroidery is the most durable decoration method because the design is stitched directly into the fabric. It’s resistant to fading and can withstand more aggressive washing than screen printing. However, you should still turn embroidered sweatshirts inside out to prevent the thread from snagging on other items. Avoid bleach, which can discolor embroidery thread. If loose threads appear, trim them with sharp scissors rather than pulling them, which can unravel the design.
Heat Transfer and Vinyl Sweatshirts
Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) is applied with heat and pressure, bonding a thin layer of vinyl to the fabric surface. It requires the most careful handling of all decoration types. Never iron directly on heat transfer vinyl. Wash in cold water only, and always air dry if possible. Machine drying on low heat is acceptable, but high heat can cause the vinyl to peel, bubble, or warp. Avoid dry cleaning, as the chemicals can dissolve the adhesive.
DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printed Sweatshirts
DTG printing sprays water-based ink directly into the fabric fibers, similar to an inkjet printer on paper. The result is a soft print that becomes part of the fabric. DTG prints are generally durable but can fade with repeated washing if not cared for properly. Wait at least 24 hours after receiving a DTG-printed sweatshirt before the first wash to allow the ink to fully cure. Wash inside out in cold water and air dry or tumble dry on low.
Storage Tips
- Fold, don’t hang for long-term storage. Hanging a heavy sweatshirt for extended periods can stretch the shoulders and distort the shape. Fold it neatly and store it in a drawer or on a shelf.
- Store in a cool, dry place. Heat and humidity can degrade prints and encourage mildew growth on cotton fabrics. Avoid storing sweatshirts in attics, garages, or damp basements.
- Don’t stack heavy items on top. Placing heavy objects on a folded sweatshirt can compress and crack screen prints. Give your custom sweatshirts space in the drawer.
- Use cedar blocks instead of mothballs. If you’re storing sweatshirts seasonally, cedar blocks deter moths without the harsh chemicals of mothballs, which can leave a lingering odor and damage prints.
- Keep away from direct sunlight. Even in storage, UV light from a nearby window can fade fabric and print colors over time.
Quick Reference: Care Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Turn inside out before washing | Wash in hot water |
| Use cold water | Use bleach or harsh detergents |
| Wash on gentle cycle | Overload the washing machine |
| Air dry or tumble dry low | Use high heat in the dryer |
| Use mild, liquid detergent | Use fabric softener or dryer sheets |
| Fold for long-term storage | Iron directly on prints or vinyl |
| Trim loose embroidery threads | Pull loose threads (causes unraveling) |
Keep Your Custom Sweatshirts Looking New
A little care goes a long way. By following these simple washing, drying, and storage tips, your custom sweatshirt will maintain its shape, color, and print quality for years of wear. The key takeaways: cold water, inside out, gentle cycle, and low heat or air dry. Make these habits automatic and your custom gear will reward you with lasting quality.
Ready to add to your custom sweatshirt collection? Browse the full range of crewnecks, hoodies, and sweatshirts at ooShirts and design your next custom piece today.