Screen-printed shirts can last for years when they’re properly cared for. But even a high-quality screen-printed design can fade, crack or wear out faster if a shirt is washed and dried incorrectly.
Fortunately, taking care of screen-printed shirts doesn’t require anything complicated. A few simple changes to how you wash printed clothes, dry and store your shirts can help keep the design looking great for much longer.
Here’s how to wash screen-printed shirts without damaging the design.
Turn Your Shirt Inside Out Before Washing
One of the easiest ways to protect a screen-printed design is to turn your shirt inside out before putting it in the washing machine.
Turning the shirt inside out helps keep the printed surface from rubbing directly against other clothing, the inside of the washing machine and other rough surfaces during the wash cycle.
This is particularly helpful when you’re washing shirts with large prints or designs that cover a significant portion of the garment.
It can also help protect other printed clothes in the same load by reducing direct friction between the designs and other garments.
Use Cold or Cool Water
Whenever possible, wash screen-printed shirts in cold or cool water.
Hot water can be harder on both the fabric and the printed design. Repeated exposure to high temperatures can contribute to fading and deterioration over time.
Cold water is generally sufficient for everyday washing and can help your shirts maintain their color and appearance.
Keeping water temperatures lower also reduces heat exposure during the washing process, which can be beneficial for both the print and the fabric fibers.
If the garment’s care label provides specific washing instructions, follow those recommendations.
Choose a Gentle Wash Cycle
A gentle or normal wash cycle is usually preferable to an especially aggressive cycle.
The more friction a garment experiences during washing, the more wear it can receive. A gentler cycle can help reduce unnecessary stress on the screen-printed design while still getting the shirt clean.
This is especially important when machine washing screen-printed tees, since repeated mechanical agitation can gradually wear down both the printed surface and the fabric fibers.
For especially important shirts — such as limited-edition merchandise, commemorative shirts or other designs you want to preserve — hand washing can provide even more control.
Use a Mild Detergent
You don’t need an especially harsh detergent to clean a screen-printed shirt.
A standard, mild laundry detergent is generally sufficient. Avoid using excessive amounts of detergent or harsh chemicals that could contribute to fading or damage the fabric.
The type of ink used can also influence how a print responds to washing. Screen printing inks are designed to bond with the garment and provide a durable print, but proper care still helps preserve their appearance over time.
It’s also a good idea to be cautious with bleach and other strong cleaning products. Unless the garment’s care instructions specifically recommend them, they can cause unwanted fading or discoloration.
Avoid Fabric Softener When Possible
Fabric softener isn’t necessary for keeping screen-printed shirts clean and can potentially affect the feel and appearance of some printed garments.
If you’re trying to maximize the lifespan of your screen-printed apparel, keeping your washing routine simple is usually the best approach.
Use a suitable detergent, wash with cool water and avoid unnecessary chemicals.
The same general approach applies when you wash clothes with screen printing or other types of printed designs: use gentle products and avoid anything that could unnecessarily break down the print or fabric.
Don’t Scrub the Printed Design
If your shirt has a stain on or near the printed area, resist the temptation to aggressively scrub the design.
Scrubbing can create additional friction that may wear down the print over time.
Instead, treat stains according to the garment’s care instructions and use gentle methods whenever possible. If you need to pre-treat a stain, be careful not to use an aggressive treatment directly on the printed area unless the product is known to be safe for it.
Avoid High Heat in the Dryer
The washing process isn’t the only thing that can affect a screen-printed shirt. Heat from the dryer can also contribute to wear over time.
If possible, use a low-heat or air-dry setting. Even better, you can hang the shirt or lay it flat to dry.
Excessive heat exposure can affect some screen printing inks and may contribute to cracking, fading or changes in the fabric over time.
If you do use a dryer, avoid extremely high temperatures and remove the shirt promptly once the cycle is finished.
Following the garment manufacturer’s drying instructions is always a good idea.
Air Drying Is a Great Option
If you want to be especially careful with your screen-printed shirts, air drying is one of the simplest things you can do.
Hang the shirt on a suitable hanger or drying rack and allow it to dry naturally. Keep it out of excessive direct sunlight while drying, since prolonged exposure to sunlight can contribute to fading.
Air drying also eliminates the repeated exposure to high dryer temperatures that can accelerate wear.
Don’t Iron Directly Over the Design
Heat can affect screen-printed designs, so avoid placing a hot iron directly over the printed area.
If you need to iron the shirt, turn it inside out first or place a protective cloth between the iron and the design. Use the appropriate temperature setting for the garment.
In many cases, hanging the shirt properly after washing will eliminate the need for extensive ironing anyway.
How Often Should You Wash Screen-Printed Shirts?
You don’t necessarily need to wash a shirt after every single wear, particularly if it hasn’t gotten dirty or sweaty.
Washing a garment less frequently can reduce the amount of mechanical wear the fabric and print experience over time.
Of course, shirts used for exercise, physical work or other activities where they become dirty or sweaty should be washed as needed.
When you do need to wash printed clothes, focus on minimizing unnecessary friction, high temperatures and harsh chemicals rather than avoiding washing altogether.
The key is to avoid unnecessarily aggressive washing and drying.
How Long Do Screen-Printed Shirts Last?
The lifespan of a screen-printed shirt depends on several factors, including the quality of the garment, the quality of the ink and printing process, how often the shirt is worn and how it’s cared for.
A well-made screen-printed shirt that’s washed properly can remain wearable for a long time.
Eventually, normal wear and washing will cause some fading or deterioration. But proper care can significantly slow that process and help preserve the appearance of the design.
With the right care, screen printed tees can withstand regular wear and washing while keeping their designs looking good for years.
Quick Tips for Washing Screen-Printed Shirts
If you don’t want to remember all the details, stick with these basic rules:
- Turn the shirt inside out before washing
- Use cold or cool water
- Choose a gentle wash cycle
- Use a mild detergent
- Avoid harsh chemicals and unnecessary bleach
- Don’t aggressively scrub the printed design
- Use low heat when drying
- Air dry when possible
- Keep the shirt out of prolonged direct sunlight
- Don’t iron directly over the printed design
- Follow the garment’s care label whenever it provides specific instructions
These simple steps can go a long way toward keeping your screen-printed apparel looking its best.
Take Care of Your Custom Screen-Printed Apparel
Whether you have a single custom print shirt or an entire collection of branded apparel, proper care can help your screen-printed designs stay vibrant and intact.
Quality screen printing is designed to be durable, but even the best printing benefits from proper washing and drying habits. By using cooler water, minimizing friction and avoiding excessive heat, you can help extend the life of both the garment and the design.
The same principles apply to other garments with printed designs. Whether you’re caring for a custom print on a T-shirt, sweatshirt or another piece of apparel, gentle washing and limited heat can help protect the finished design.
Looking for custom screen printing for your business, team, event or organization? Screen Graphics can help you create high-quality custom apparel designed to look great and hold up to regular use.
