How to wash custom printed and embroidered shirts so they last
Turn the shirt inside out, wash cold, and tumble dry low or hang dry. Skip bleach, fabric softener on the print and ironing directly on the design. With that, a screen print outlasts the shirt, a DTF print holds up for 50–80+ washes, and embroidery stays sharp for years.
Care by decoration method
| Screen print | DTF print | Embroidery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wash | Cold or warm, inside out | Cold, inside out | Cold or warm |
| Dry | Low heat | Low heat or hang | Low heat; reshape flat |
| Iron | Inside out, never on the print | Inside out, never on the print | Reverse side, low steam |
| Bleach / softener | No / OK | No / avoid | No / OK |
| First wash | Any time | Wait 24 hours after it arrives | Any time |
| Lifespan | Usually outlasts the shirt | 50–80+ washes with care | Usually outlasts the shirt |
Why heat is the enemy
Prints are bonded with heat, and high dryer heat keeps working on them: it dries out the ink, causes cracking on screen prints and can lift the edges of a film print. Cotton also shrinks most in a hot dryer. Low heat or a hanger fixes both.
Garment-dyed and dark shirts
Garment-dyed shirts like the Comfort Colors 1717 are dyed after they are sewn, which gives the soft, lived-in color — and they can release a little dye in the first washes. Wash them with dark colors the first few times. Dark shirts generally fade less when washed inside out.
Embroidery care
- Never pull a loose thread — trim it close.
- Wash hats by hand or in a hat frame; a dishwasher bends the brim.
- Iron from the back, over a towel, so the stitches keep their texture.
Before you order
The decoration matters as much as the care: for uniforms that go through hot commercial laundry, embroidery or screen print outlasts film transfers. For a one-weekend event shirt with a full-color photo, DTF is the better value. Screen print vs. DTF compares them.
Questions people ask
Can I put a printed shirt in the dryer?
Yes, on low heat, inside out. Hang drying is gentler still.
Why is my print cracking?
Usually high dryer heat or ironing the print. A print defect on a new order is reprinted or refunded — tell us.
Should I wash a new custom shirt before wearing it?
Optional. For DTF prints, wait 24 hours after delivery before the first wash.
Do custom shirts shrink?
100% cotton shirts can shrink a little in a hot dryer; blends shrink less. Cold wash and low heat keep the fit.
Prices are our live checkout prices on October 7, 2026 for the garments named; garment prices follow the supplier and every product page shows today's price. No setup fees, no quantity minimum, free shipping over $50.