Care tips for printed clothing

How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Prints: The Complete Guide to Washing Printed Garments

In this article:

• The Quality of the Transfer Determines Wash Resistance
• Washing Instructions for Printed Garments
• Drying Printed Garments
• Ironing Printed Garments
• Common Issues and How to Avoid Them

When you decorate garments with heat transfers, you naturally want both the garment and the print to last as long as possible. It would be a shame if the print started to deteriorate prematurely due to improper washing or handling. In this article, we share our complete set of best practices for maintaining printed garments, so your print stays vibrant and perfectly adhered even after dozens of wash cycles.

The Quality of the Transfer Determines Wash Resistance

Washing Instructions for Printed Garments

•Wait 24 Hours before Washing

We recommend waiting at least 24 hours after pressing before washing the garment for the first time. This allows the crosslinkers (hardeners) in the ink layers to fully cure. These hardeners bond the various ink layers of the transfer together, ensuring lasting flexibility and wash resistance.

•Recommended Washing Temperature

Always respect the care labels of both the garment and the transfer. Most clothing is washed at up to 40°C, which is also the ideal temperature for printed textiles. Our standard transfers can withstand washing temperatures of up to 60°C, but for optimal longevity we advise washing at 40°C.

Modern detergents are formulated to clean efficiently even at lower temperatures, making it easier to reduce energy use without compromising cleanliness. Washing at 40°C not only preserves the colour and shape of the garment but also significantly extends the life of the print.

Internal tests have shown that our Araflex and Digiflex transfers remain in perfect condition even after 100+ wash and dry cycles — based on a 1-hour wash at 40°C and tumble drying on a cold program.

Wash at 60°C only when necessary (for heavily soiled garments) and only if the textile allows it. A lower temperature will always help both the garment and the print last longer. For garments that are regularly washed at 60°C, we recommend our Araflex Plus transfer: a reinforced water-based screen print transfer with extra wash resistance.

For heavy-duty workwear that undergoes industrial laundering, choose our industrial transfers, which are boil-proof and resistant to wash cycles up to 90°C.

•Washing Cycle Duration

The duration of the washing cycle also affects the lifespan of printed garments. A shorter cycle is not only more energy efficient but also gentler on the print. As a rule of thumb: 20 washes of 3 hours equals 60 washes of 1 hour, and the difference shows in how long both your print and garment last.

•Which Detergents should You Use?

Use a mild, liquid detergent or pods instead of powder. Powder detergent may not always dissolve completely, leaving residues on the print and causing microscopic abrasion. Avoid bleach, fabric softeners, and soak cycles, since all of these can attack the print surface and accelerate wear.

The only exception is our Superflex silicone transfer, which is resistant to bleach and therefore ideal for white sportswear or workwear that must be disinfected or bleached during washing.

•Avoid Friction Damage During Washing

Overloading the washing machine increases friction between garments, which can damage both the print and the fabric. Wash with sufficient space and turn garments inside out whenever possible. During spinning, 800 rpm is more than enough — higher speeds only put extra stress on the print.

Clothing with zippers or metal buttons naturally causes more friction in the wash. For this type of garments, we recommend using an industrial transfer, which features an additional protective top layer for enhanced abrasion resistance.

•Avoid Prolonged Moisture Exposure

One of the golden rules for printed garments is simple: treat your textiles with care.
Never leave dirty garments damp in a sports bag or laundry basket, and always remove them from the machine immediately after washing. Printed fabrics are most vulnerable when wet: prolonged moisture can soften or damage the transfer surface.

Water-based transfers can absorb moisture in a humid environment, causing the ink layers to swell and become fragile. If they are then tumble dried, damage may occur. Always dry printed garments as soon as possible, preferably in the air or on a cold tumble cycle. If clothes have been left damp in the machine for too long, air-drying is the safest recovery method.

Drying Printed Garments

Garments printed with our premium textile transfers can safely be tumble dried, as long as you choose a cold (and therefore slower) program with plenty of air circulation. Avoid overly hot or rapid drying cycles, and make sure the drum is not overloaded. Air drying remains the gentlest option, but with a cold setting, the tumble dryer is perfectly acceptable.

Ironing Printed Garments

Our water-based transfers can be ironed without any issues, unlike plastisol transfers, which cannot withstand the heat of an iron. Nevertheless, we recommend ironing the garment inside out. This not only protects the print, but also the fabric itself against shine or discolouration caused by direct heat.

Common Issues and How to Avoid Them

•High Temperature, Harsh Detergents, or Prolonged Moisture

Most wash-related issues arise from improper handling. When prints start to peel or fade, the cause is usually excessive heat, aggressive detergents, or prolonged exposure to moisture. By following a few simple habits — timely drying, using mild detergents, and limiting heat — you can easily double the lifespan of your printed garments.

• Fabric Shrinkage During Washing

Some fabrics, especially cotton jersey and certain polyesters, may shrink slightly during the first few washes. The print itself shrinks only minimally, creating tension between the fabric and the transfer. This can lead to small blisters, creases, or cracks, which weaken adhesion and may eventually cause the print to peel away.

To prevent this, always check the shrinkage behaviour of your garments before printing. A simple test works: mark 20 cm on the fabric, press it briefly, and measure again. If you lose approximately 1 cm, pre-shrinking the fabric is recommended. By briefly pressing the fabric under the heat press beforehand, you stabilise the size of the fabric, ensuring that your print remains smooth and securely bonded even after many washes.