How to Care for Custom Apparel: Extend the Life of Your Heat Transfers
Proper care and maintenance of custom apparel are essential to preserving the quality and longevity of heat transfers like DTF, Vinyl, Ultra Print, and others. The lifespan of your heat-transferred designs depends on factors such as wear and tear, washing cycles, and washing temperature. Below, we outline the key washing instructions to keep your custom apparel looking fresh and vibrant.
General Washing Instructions:
- Printed or Glitter Apparel: Always wash inside out in cool or cold water using mild detergent. Avoid spot treatment chemicals as they can loosen the adhesive on the design. Tumble dry on a warm setting or hang dry, and never iron directly on the transferred image.
- Rhinestone or Sequin Apparel: Wash inside out on a gentle cycle with cold water. Do not use spot treatment chemicals, as they can damage the design. Lay flat or hang dry, and avoid ironing directly over the rhinestones or sequins.
- Do Not Use Bleach: Bleach can cause significant damage to custom designs, regardless of the type of heat transfer.
Specific Care for Heat Transfers:
- Coey Chroma (DTF): Wash and dry inside out with mild detergent in warm water. Tumble dry as usual or dry clean if preferred.
- Ultra Print (Poliprintable): Wash inside out with mild detergent in cool or cold water. Remove garments from the washer immediately to avoid color bleeding. Tumble dry warm or hang dry. Do not dry clean or iron directly on the image.
- Screen Print: Similar to Coey Chroma, wash and dry inside out with mild detergent in warm water. Tumble dry or dry clean.
- Vinyl and Glitter Heat Transfers: Follow the same instructions as Ultra Print. Avoid direct ironing on the design and dry cleaning.
- Cool Cast Hard Surface Heat Transfer: Hand wash only with mild dish soap in warm water. Do not scrub or use abrasives on the design.
By following these care and maintenance instructions, you can extend the life of your custom apparel and keep your heat transfers looking as vibrant as the day they were applied.
