How to Wash & Care for Custom T-Shirts
The short answer: turn the shirt inside out, wash in cold water with similar fabrics, dry on low heat or hang dry, skip the bleach, and never iron the design. Heat is what wears out a printed shirt.
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Washing Drying Ironing Stains Fading Hems FAQ
The 5 Rules
- Wash in cold water with the shirt turned inside out.
- Wash with similar colors and fabrics. Keep t-shirts away from jeans and heavy jackets.
- Dry on low heat, or hang dry for the longest life.
- No bleach, and no detergents that contain bleach.
- Never iron the design.
At ClassB, we know your custom t-shirts are special to you, and we want you to get the most out of them. For the garment itself, always follow the manufacturer’s care label. The tips below protect the print as well.
Washing
Always remember: heat is bad. Set your washer to a gentle cycle with cold water. Cold water and a gentle cycle preserve both the color of the shirt and the print. When in doubt, use cold water. Never use hot.
Turn the shirt inside out before washing. This keeps the design from rubbing against other clothes and the inside of the machine, which is what wears a print down early.
Wash with like colors and like fabrics. Jeans, zippers and heavy jackets are rough on t-shirts.
Drying
Hang drying is the gentlest choice and gives the longest life. If you use a dryer, choose low heat and take the shirts out as soon as they are dry. High heat shrinks cotton and is hard on any printed design.
Ironing
Do not iron directly on the design. If the shirt needs pressing, turn it inside out and use a low setting, or iron around the print.
Stains and Everyday Care
- Treat stains quickly. A little dish soap, cool water and a soft toothbrush handle most of them. A stain that sets is much harder to remove.
- Wash shirts soon after wearing. The longer they sit in the hamper, the more stains and odors set in.
- Fold, do not ball up. Deep wrinkles stress the fabric over time.
Will the Shirt or the Design Fade?
All dyed cotton fades gradually over many washes. Cotton and polyester blends hold their color a little longer. Good laundry habits make the biggest difference for both the shirt and the print: cold water, inside out, low heat.
Your design is made to hold up to regular wear and washing. Over the life of any printed shirt, the print can show wear, and gentle care slows that down.
If something is not right with your order, tell us. We stand behind every order.
What If a Hem Comes Undone?
Once in a while a shirt leaves the garment maker with a stitch that was not locked, and the bottom hem starts to come out after washing. It is rare, and it is not something you did. Contact us and we will make it right.
Wondering about shrinkage? See t-shirt size charts and cotton or 50/50.
T-Shirt Care Questions
How do you wash a custom printed t-shirt?
Inside out, in cold water on a gentle cycle, with similar colors and fabrics. Dry on low or hang dry.
Can I put custom t-shirts in the dryer?
Yes, on low heat. Hang drying is gentler and makes shirts last longer.
Can I iron a printed t-shirt?
Not on the design. Turn the shirt inside out and use low heat, or iron around the print.
Will the printed design wash off?
No. The design is made to hold up to regular washing. Following the care steps above keeps it looking good longer.
Will the shirts shrink?
A little. 100% cotton shrinks about 3 to 5 percent and 50/50 blends about 1 to 2 percent. Cold water and low heat keep shrinkage down.
The hem on my shirt came undone. What should I do?
Contact us. A hem that comes out is a rare garment flaw, and we will make it right.
How can our group save on an order?
Sign up for ClassB email offers and get $10 off a custom printed t-shirt order of $300 or more. The offer is not valid on the Trading Post.
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Sign up and get $10 off a custom printed t-shirt order of $300 or more. Not valid on the Trading Post.
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