Keep your prints looking fresh for longer with these simple care tips.
Screen printed t-shirts are designed to be durable, bold, and built to last — but like anything you wear and love often, how you care for them makes a big difference. Whether you’ve just received a fresh batch of custom tees for your band, bar staff, small business, or event crew, following the right washing and care routine can dramatically extend the life of your prints. Proper care helps preserve the sharpness of your design, prevents ink from cracking or fading, and keeps your shirts looking and feeling great for longer. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best way to wash and care for screen printed t-shirts — from water temperature and detergents to drying tips and ironing do’s and don’ts — so you get the most wear out of every print.
Turning your t-shirt inside out before washing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to extend the life of your print. When shirts are left right-side out, the printed design rubs against other garments, zips, and the washing machine drum — which can lead to cracking or fading over time. Washing inside out keeps the print protected from direct abrasion. Cold water (30°C or below) is also essential, as heat can weaken screen printing ink and shrink cotton fibres. If your washing machine has an “eco wash” or “delicates” cycle, that’s usually the best choice for printed tees. And always wash with like colours to avoid dye transfer from other garments.
Not all laundry detergents are created equal — and when it comes to screen printed t-shirts, harsh chemicals can do more harm than good. Strong detergents, stain removers, and anything with bleach can break down the ink on your print, causing it to fade or peel prematurely. Instead, opt for a gentle detergent that’s free from optical brighteners and harsh enzymes. A liquid detergent is usually better than powder, as it dissolves more easily and leaves less residue. If you’re washing workwear or merch that gets particularly dirty, pre-treat stains with a small dab of gentle detergent instead of soaking the whole shirt in aggressive chemicals.
Drying is where many screen printed shirts meet their end — not from wear, but from heat. High temperatures in a tumble dryer can cause ink to crack, especially on larger solid prints. Whenever you can, hang your t-shirts to air dry. It’s the gentlest method and also helps prevent shrinking. Hang them out of direct sunlight to keep colours vibrant. If you’re in a rush or dealing with wet weather, you can tumble dry on a low or delicate setting — but remove the shirts as soon as they’re dry. Avoid letting them overheat or sit in a hot dryer for too long.
Ironing directly over a screen printed design is a quick way to damage the ink. The heat from the iron can melt or distort the print, especially if it’s plastisol-based. If your shirt is creased, turn it inside out before ironing or place a piece of baking paper, parchment, or a clean tea towel over the printed area. Use a medium or low heat setting and avoid using steam directly on the design. Alternatively, hang the shirt in a steamy bathroom or give it a quick shake and smooth out the fabric while damp — most t-shirts don’t need a full press unless they’re for display or events.
Mixing your printed t-shirts in with rougher or heavier garments — like jeans, towels, or hoodies with zippers — increases the chance of abrasion and damage to your prints. Screen printed designs can get scratched or scuffed if they’re rubbing against coarse materials in the wash. Keep your prints with other lightweight, soft garments like cotton tees or sweatshirts. And if you’re doing larger loads, consider using a mesh laundry bag for added protection, especially for shirts with large prints or speciality finishes.
It’s tempting to toss your t-shirt in the wash after every wear, but overwashing is one of the fastest ways to fade your print. Unless it’s stained or particularly sweaty, your shirt probably doesn’t need to be washed immediately. Spot clean small marks with a damp cloth and let your shirt air out between wears. The less time your print spends in the washing machine, the longer it’ll stay looking fresh. This tip is especially handy for merch or teamwear that doesn’t get heavy use — less washing means longer-lasting colour, print sharpness, and fabric integrity.
