The Proper Care and Wash of Screen Printed Shirts

Prints make the simplest of shirts more enjoyable. Everybody loves prints, be it in the form of concert merch, souvenir tees, or just plain, off-the-rack printed tees.

With that said, prints are highly delicate. They tend to crack, flake, and fade without proper care and washing, which is why you must know how to wash your printed clothes.

It's worth noting that the proper care and wash will depend on the type of print on the shirt. Today, we’ll be discussing dry screen printed shirts.

What Is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is a printing technique that utilizes a custom design stencil and mesh screen to transfer ink onto textiles. 

It's the most popular printing method used today because the fabric and stencil setup makes it easy to produce custom t-shirt prints in large quantities.

The shirts that you see in concert merch stands are likely screen-printed. A similar printing method is used for promotional tees, souvenir tees, and custom printed t-shirts.

Does Screen Printing Produce Quality Prints?

Screen printing is often the most economical method when producing a large number of printed shirts. It's the cheapest printing method, and the shirts have an excellent print quality.

The mesh fabric used in the process allows for even ink distribution, and with a silk-screen stencil, you can produce high-quality prints with crisp details.

Moreover, screen printing is a durable printing method that enables you to maintain quality custom design prints for a long time.

How Do You Wash Screen Printed Shirts?

You should always follow specific instructions on the shirt’s tag. The detailed information on the label should tell you whether you can machine dry, what temperature water to use, and so on.

One thing that you should take note of is that you need to wash screen-printed shirts separately from other colored clothes.

In addition, you should also try to wash your shirts in the coldest water possible. Hot water doesn't only fade colors but can also damage the print.

Things to Avoid When Washing Screen Printed Shirts

Drying shirts manually is a surefire way to prolong their lifespan. If you must machine dry your screen printed shirts, make sure to put them on the delicate cycle and wash them in cold water.

The colors and print durability of your shirts also depend on the type of laundry detergent that you use. Applying the wrong laundry detergent can lead to the colors being stripped from the print.

You should also avoid bleaching your shirts and using hot water when washing them. These are practices that can cause the colors of the shirt to fade.

Ending Note

Screen printing is one of the most economical ways of getting custom-printed shirts. It's also a printing method that allows you to produce high-quality merchandise that lasts a long time.

However, like most things, screen prints don't last forever. Therefore, you must try your best to follow proper care and washing instructions to prolong the life of your screen-printed shirts. If possible, stick to hand-washing and manual drying.

If you're looking for t-shirt printing in Denver, check out Certified Print Co. We are a t-shirt printing company that offers various printing methods, including screen printing. Contact us today to learn more about our services.