How to Take Care of a Printed Shirt (Beyond Washing & Drying)
At Halo Print Co, we’ve printed tens of thousands of designs in our Sydney workshop. Yet one of the biggest mistakes we still see? Designers are sending RGB files to print and wondering why the final outcome looks nothing like what they envisioned.
Here’s the truth: your computer displays colour using light (RGB = Red, Green, Blue). Printers rely on physical inks (CMYK = Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Key/Black). Because the mediums are completely different, colours shift, sometimes dramatically, when you go from screen to print.
That’s where the Pantone Matching System (PMS) comes in. It’s the universal “colour dictionary” the printing industry uses to ensure what you see is what you get.
Taking care of a printed shirt isn’t just about how you wash it, how you wear it, store it, fold it, and handle it day-to-day; it plays a huge role in how long the print stays sharp.
Here are some often overlooked ways to extend the lifespan of your favourite printed tees.
1. Be Mindful of High-Friction Activities
Printed areas naturally wear down faster when exposed to constant rubbing. Backpacks, cross-body bags, seatbelts, or gym equipment can gradually dull or scratch your print.
Tip: If you’re wearing a printed tee, opt for a light tote bag or backpack that doesn’t sit over the design, or switch straps occasionally.
2. Let Your Shirt Rest Between Wears
Just like good shoes, high-quality printed shirts last longer when they’re not worn on consecutive days. Giving the fibres time to rest helps maintain elasticity and prevents the print from stretching or cracking over time.
3. Avoid Leaving Printed Shirts in Hot Cars
Heat and trapped moisture inside cars can soften ink and weaken the bond between the print and the fabric. A few hours in summer heat can cause premature fading.
Tip: Keep printed garments in a cool, shaded space whenever possible.
4. Store Shirts in a Way That Protects the Design
Instead of stacking shirts so the prints rub against each other, try:
Folding them with the print facing inward
Using shelf dividers so designs don’t press into one another
Rolling shirts (surprisingly effective for preventing friction)
This also keeps prints from sticking together during humid weather.
5. Avoid Stretching the Shirt When Putting It On
It’s common to tug the neckline or pull aggressively when putting on or taking off a tee. Over time, this can stretch the fabric underneath the print, causing distortion.
Tip: Hold the shoulders instead of the neck when dressing to keep the shape consistent.
6. Watch Out for Lotions, Sunscreens, and Deodorants
These products can transfer to fabric and interact with certain inks, leaving shiny marks or softening the print in the long term.
Tip: Let lotions or sunscreen fully absorb before getting dressed.
7. Rotate Your Wardrobe
If you have favourite tees, they naturally get more wear. Rotating them prevents one shirt from carrying all the load and dramatically extends the life of each print.
8. Avoid Long Exposure to Direct Sunlight
While short-term sunlight won’t hurt, long-term UV exposure can fade colours and weaken ink pigments.
Tip: When drying indoors or storing shirts, keep them away from windows or bright direct light.
9. Use a Fabric Shaver Carefully
If the shirt starts to pill (small fabric balls), avoid running a fabric shaver directly over the printed area. It can scratch or thin the ink layer.
Tip: Only shave the blank fabric edges and use scissors to gently trim any pilling near the print.
10. Know When to Retire Your Shirt From Heavy Use
If your printed tee is used for gym workouts, lawn care, painting, or physical labour, it will naturally wear out faster. Reassigning older shirts to “rough-use duty” and keeping newer prints for casual wear helps them age gracefully.
Care Tips by Printing Method
Different print methods age differently, and knowing how to look after each one helps maximise its lifespan.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is durable and flexible, but it can still be affected by everyday handling.
Extra care tips:
Avoid constant bending or folding directly across thick ink areas
Keep heavy objects from pressing on the print in storage
Allow 24 hours of rest after first wear if shirt is brand new (gives ink time to settle fully)
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing
DTG inks sit deeper in the fibres but can be sensitive to abrasion.
Extra care tips:
Avoid rough-textured outerwear like canvas jackets on top of the print
Skip carrying cross-body bags that rub against the design
Keep DTG prints away from harsh deodorant transfers these can stain light DTG areas
Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing
DTF prints are flexible but can peel if stretched excessively.
Extra care tips:
Avoid pulling the print horizontally (common when taking shirts off quickly)
Don’t fold shirts where the DTF transfer is thickest
If the print feels tacky on a hot day, avoid pressing items against it
Vinyl Heat Transfer (HTV)
HTV has a smooth, slightly plastic feel and can crack if bent sharply.
Extra care tips:
Fold shirts around the design, not through it
Avoid storing in tightly packed drawers that force creases across the print
Keep HTV away from direct heat sources like heaters or car dashboards
Embroidery
Embroidery thread lasts long but can snag if not handled properly.
Extra care tips:
Avoid Velcro, metal edges, or rough bags
Don’t pull loose threads; trim them carefully
Store embroidered pieces at the top of stacks so stitching isn’t crushed
The Takeaway
Longevity isn’t just about how you wash printed apparel, it’s about how you treat it day to day. Small habits make a big difference, and adjusting how you store, wear, and handle your tees can extend their life dramatically.
