How to Care For Your Decorated Garments

The more the embellished your garment is, the more attention to care instructions is needed. Here is a quick guide to help you take care of your wearable memories.

1. DTF (Direct-to-Film Transfer)

What it is: A full-color print transferred onto fabric using a heat press. It’s soft, vibrant, and durable—great for complex designs.

Why care matters: When your shirt is brand new, a DTF print may feel a little firmer on the surface. After the first couple of washes, the print relaxes into the fabric fibers, giving it a softer, more natural feel while keeping the colors bright. DTF prints are flexible and long-lasting, but heat and harsh chemicals can break down the adhesive that bonds them to fabric, causing cracking or fading.

Care Instructions:

• Turn inside out before washing.

• Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle.

• Use a mild, liquid detergent.

  • Avoid pods, powdered detergent, and anything with bleach or stain removers. These can be too harsh and wear down the print.

  • Fragrance-free and dye-free options are safest.

• Try to avoid fabric softeners or bleach.

• Hang dry or tumble dry low.

• Never iron directly on the print. Use a piece of cloth or even a large piece of craft paper

2. HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl)

What it is: Glitter, puff, glow-in-the-dark, etc.

A cut vinyl design heat-pressed onto fabric. Commonly used for bold logos, names, or numbers.

Why care matters: HTV is made from a type of plastic. Too much heat or detergent chemicals can cause peeling or warping.

Care Instructions:

• Turn inside out before washing.

• Machine wash cold or warm on a gentle cycle.

• Use a mild, liquid detergent.

  • Avoid powdered detergents, stain-fighters, or high-pH detergents.

  • Free & clear formulas are ideal.

• No bleach or fabric softener.

• Tumble dry low or hang dry.

• Never iron directly on vinyl.

3. Embroidery

What it is: Thread stitched directly into the garment, giving texture and a long-lasting design.

Why care matters: The thread can snag or fray, and the fabric around it can pucker if washed or dried too aggressively. Harsh detergent can fade or weaken the thread over time.

Care Instructions:

• Turn garment inside out before washing.

• Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle.

• Use a gentle, color-safe liquid detergent.

  • Avoid heavy-duty detergents or bleach.

  • Look for ones labeled “gentle on fabrics” or “color care.”

• Air dry or tumble dry on low.

• Iron on low, from the back side or using a pressing cloth.

4. Screen Print Transfer

What it is: A screen-printed design transferred onto fabric via heat. Looks and feels similar to traditional screen printing.

Why care matters: The adhesive layer used in screen print transfers can break down under high heat or harsh detergents, leading to cracking or flaking.

Care Instructions:

• Wash inside out in cold water.

• Gentle cycle only.

• Use a mild liquid detergent.

  • Avoid powdered detergents, bleach, and strong stain removers.

• Hang dry or tumble dry low.

• Never iron directly on the design.

5. Screen Print

What it is: Ink applied directly to the garment through a screen. This method is very durable but still benefits from gentle care.

Why care matters: Even tough inks can crack over time with repeated hot washes or dryer use. Harsh detergent may also accelerate fading.

Care Instructions:

• Turn inside out before washing.

• Machine wash cold or warm on gentle cycle.

• Use a mild detergent.

  • Avoid bleach and harsh chemicals.

• Hang dry or tumble dry low.

• Avoid ironing directly over the print.

Detergent Quick Tips

• ✅ Use: Mild liquid detergent, free of bleach, optical brighteners, and fabric softeners. “Free & clear” or “delicates” formulas are best.

• ❌ Avoid: Powdered detergent, pods with built-in stain-fighters, bleach, strong scent additives, or softeners.