How to Wash Screen Printed Clothing

September 27, 2022

Screen printing your clothing is an inexpensive and excellent way to showcase your style. Screen-printed clothing has unique qualities, and you must take good care of it to maintain its appeal. Below is a list of how you can wash your screen-printed clothing.


Use Cold Water


The type of water used for cleaning clothing depends on the fabric being washed. Most people nowadays habitually wash their clothes in hot or warm water. There is no reason for using hot water to wash your clothes unless they're hospital or hotel sheets and towels. Cold water gets your clothing clean and is gentler on fabric than hot water. Cold water is ideal for screen-printed apparel as hot water can distill the ink on your clothing.


Check the Fabric


If you aren't aware of the washing instructions, you must follow various tips to preserve the overall quality of your screen-printed clothing. Wool and cotton absorb more water while polyester and nylon absorb less. A fabric that absorbs more water is more likely to shrink, and you must preshrink your screen-printed clothing to minimize the risk of shrinking while washing your clothes. You must sort your fabrics, separating the whites from the darks to avoid destroying your clothes with residual dyes and inks from other clothing. Keep those fabrics with similar textures together, and avoid washing towels and jeans together with your screen-printed apparel.


Avoid Using Strong Detergents or Bleach


Some chemicals are harsh on your clothes and cause the apparel's print to fade. Like hot water, strong detergents and bleach harm the fabric of your clothes. You can use mild detergents or light stain removers on your screen-printed clothing to remove spots on the material. Screen printing utilizes plastisol ink and bleach, which causes friction in fabric with digital printing. Water-based ink and other screen printing inks on your screen-printed garment also react with detergents, causing wear and tear. Avoid strong detergents and bleach when washing your clothing to ensure the fabric lasts for a long time.


Avoid Using Hard Water


Minerals present in hard water cause harm to screen-printed garments. The minerals are deposited in the fibers of the fabric, causing it to become stiff. Hard water also degrades the screen printing dyes, causing the colors to fade, and the same minerals increase the pilling of the fabric, causing wear and tear. Before washing, you can soak your screen-printed clothing in water mixed with a sizeable volume of white vinegar or purchase a water softening system. Purchase your clothing from a reputable brand to ensure it lasts long. According to Statista, 69% of Generation Z and millennials said they prefer purchasing clothing from a brand or a retailer offering customized products. If you do the same, then you'll be able to take advantage of higher-quality clothing.


Avoid Ironing Over the Print


Ironing over the print is highly discouraged since, again, high heat can damage the print. Heat is considered an enemy of screen-printed fabric, but you can proceed with caution if you must iron your clothing. Use the lowest heat setting and turn your clothes inside out. Avoid using the steam setting or ironing on the printed design, and place a piece of clothing between the garment and the iron to protect the screen printing. Direct ironing on the screen printed design will damage the design of your clothing.


Avoid Using a Hot Dryer


Avoid setting your dryer to a high heat level when drying your screen-printed clothing. Instead, remove the garment when it's almost dry and hang it outside on a clothesline to dry naturally. High heat quickens the peeling process of the design, which is why it's not recommended to dry it fully by machine. Avoid using hot dryers on such garments and let them dry in a natural environment for best results.


Avoid Pilling by Washing Inside Out


Pilling doesn't necessarily affect poor-quality garments; any type of clothing can be prone to pilling. The friction from washing and wearing causes pilling. This friction causes the fibers to pull away, which loosens the fabric. When this happens, you'll notice fibers resembling pills or fuzzy balls on the clothing surface. You can utilize a handheld fabric shaver to do away with the pilling, but the best way to prevent it from happening is to wash the screen-printed garments inside out.


The quality of clothing affects how the print reacts with water and soap as well as its lifespan. A high-quality fabric lasts longer, and you must read the instructions carefully before washing your clothing to know how to handle the material best. House of Apparel can help with screen printing your garments if you require our services.

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Company logos should be easy to identify, while supporting graphics should complement the overall appearance without overwhelming the garment. At House of Apparel, we recognize that thoughtful design choices influence how customers perceive branded merchandise. Clear lettering, balanced proportions, and carefully selected colors help businesses present a professional image. Working with an experienced screen printing company allows businesses to make informed decisions about design placement, sizing, and visual consistency. Aligning Designs With Brand Identity Every business has a distinct identity that should be reflected in its promotional merchandise. Consistent colors, recognizable logos, and appropriate design styles reinforce that identity. A professional services company may prefer understated designs, while a retail business might benefit from bold graphics. Understanding these differences helps create clothing that feels authentic to the organization. Our goal at House of Apparel is to help businesses develop custom apparel that supports their marketing objectives while appealing to their audiences. Selecting Materials That Improve Everyday Wearability Choosing Fabrics for Comfort and Durability Even attractive printed designs may have limited promotional value if the garment is uncomfortable. Customers are more likely to wear clothing that feels good, fits properly, and performs well during everyday activities. Fabric weight, texture, breathability, and durability influence the overall experience. Cotton garments are appreciated for their softness, while blended fabrics offer additional performance characteristics. A professional screen printing company can help businesses evaluate garment options based on intended use, audience preferences, and printing requirements. At House of Apparel, we believe comfortable apparel provides a stronger foundation for effective branding because recipients have more reasons to wear it regularly. Matching Materials With Promotional Goals Different promotional campaigns require different clothing. Employee uniforms may need durable materials suitable for repeated washing, while event merchandise might prioritize comfort and visual appeal. Seasonal considerations also matter. Lightweight shirts suit warm-weather promotions, whereas sweatshirts provide greater usefulness during colder months. Choosing appropriate materials helps businesses distribute products recipients appreciate rather than items that remain unused. Applying Printing Techniques That Improve Visual Quality Producing Sharp and Consistent Graphics Print clarity plays an important role in branded clothing. Blurred lettering, uneven ink coverage, or inconsistent colors can make merchandise appear less professional. Screen printing uses prepared screens to transfer ink onto garments, allowing designs to be reproduced across multiple pieces. Proper preparation, registration, and ink application help achieve consistent results. Working with a qualified screen printing company helps businesses obtain professional-looking apparel without managing technical production details. At House of Apparel, we understand that customers associate promotional product quality with the businesses represented on them. Maintaining Durable and Attractive Prints Branded apparel should maintain its appearance through normal use. Prints that deteriorate quickly reduce the useful life of promotional clothing and opportunities for continued brand exposure. Ink selection, fabric compatibility, and appropriate curing methods contribute to print durability. These production considerations require specialized knowledge and careful execution. Businesses benefit from printing professionals who understand how materials and production methods affect finished garments. Our approach emphasizes quality throughout the printing process, helping clients select apparel that represents their brands beyond a single event. Improving Merchandise That Customers Remember Increasing Recognition Through Clear Branding Promotional merchandise becomes more valuable when recipients easily identify the organization behind it. Recognizable logos and thoughtfully positioned graphics connect useful products with the companies providing them. According to the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), consumer recall of promotional items is largely driven by clear branding for 57% of recipients and frequent product usage for 44% of respondents. These findings highlight the importance of appearance and practicality. Products should communicate branding effectively while giving recipients reasons to use them regularly. 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Supporting Campaigns That Build Customer Connections Creating Apparel for Business Promotions Custom clothing supports marketing initiatives, including product launches, community events, customer appreciation campaigns, and business anniversaries. Unlike temporary advertising materials, wearable merchandise can continue representing businesses after events end. An experienced screen printing company helps organizations select suitable garments and printing approaches for promotional objectives. At House of Apparel, we understand that each campaign has unique requirements. Choosing apparel that aligns with the occasion and audience makes promotional investments more meaningful. Strengthening Connections Through Employee Apparel Branded clothing also benefits internal business operations. Coordinated employee apparel creates a recognizable team appearance and helps customers identify staff members. Consistent uniforms reinforce professionalism at retail locations, trade shows, service appointments, and community events. For businesses with multiple employees or locations, consistent graphics and garment styles support a unified identity. We believe employee apparel should balance professional presentation with the comfort and functionality workers need throughout their day. Choosing Professional Services That Deliver Long-Term Value Evaluating Quality and Production Expertise Selecting the right printing partner involves more than comparing prices. Businesses should consider finished product quality, garment options, communication, and production expertise. A dependable screen printing company understands how design complexity, garment materials, and order requirements influence finished products. Professional guidance helps clients avoid unnecessary complications when planning apparel for important events or campaigns. 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