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Prevent Cracking in Your Custom Tshirts

No one wants to see their custom printed garments lose their original luster. With our hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters, any graphic t-shirt can be at risk of cracking or fading. But you are in luck! Screen printing is one of the better decorative methods to keep your designs from harm for as long as possible. However, screen printing can be costly and difficult depending on how elaborate the design is. You may consider other printing methods, or even implement a few washing techniques to assure your garments will last.

Inside-Out

If you wish to stop cracking, consider flipping the garment inside-out for washing. It will only take a few seconds to implement this practice and it does wonders for your clothing. It prevents the design on the garment from colliding with other pieces of clothing or the wall of the washer and dryer, which can potentially lead to cracking.

Mesh is Best!

In addition to turning your garment inside-out, consider also placing it in a mesh laundry bag. By also placing in the bag, you will further prevent the possibility of contact with other items. If you don’t have a mesh bag, a pillowcase also works great. Just tie off the open end and you are good to go!

Less Can Be More

Reducing the number of times you wash garments can go a long way to prevent cracking or even fading. However, washing less may not be an option for some, so instead of reducing the number of wash cycles, consider using less detergent. Detergents contain harsh chemicals that could potentially break down t-shirt graphics over time. Consider using liquid detergents made specifically for delicates instead of powered types, as they are harsher on clothing. The right detergents can prevent shrinkage and discoloration, as well as cracking.

Cold Water vs. Hot Water

Hot water will wear out most fabrics and designs faster than cold. It might be great for cleaning but it is rough on colors and tends to fade, shrink, and damage fibers. Washing in cold water won’t ruin your custom apparel and will be just as clean.

Things Are Getting Heated

Graphic t-shirts do not react well to heat. Even the tumble low setting on dryers can cause ink to crack. Instead of throwing your custom apparel in the dryer, consider hanging them up to dry. As a bonus, you will save on your energy bill and minimize the amount of greenhouse gasses.

Direct-to-Garment Printing (DTG)

You won’t have to worry about cracking with this decorative method. DTG uses high-tech inkjet printers to print digital designs or images directly onto a garment. The ink sets into the fibers instead of laying on top, which can stretch over time. Also, unlike screen printing or Ultra Prints, you have full-color options that won’t affect the cost. There are other benefits too, such as no minimums and high-resolution printing; but most importantly, we use non-toxic water-based ink so it is one of the cleanest ways to decorate personal or company apparel.

With custom apparel, you want to make sure it lasts. Having a set wash routine in place is great, but it might be time to consider Direct-to-Garment Printing for your custom designed apparel. It is eco-friendly, cost effective, and looks great. With no minimums and quick turnaround, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts of Woodbury will make sure you have un-frog-ettable custom personal or corporate apparel.