Guide

How to Wash and Care for Custom Heat Press Shirts

A heat transfer vinyl design is durable, and a few easy habits make it last much longer. These are the care rules we recommend for any shirt or hoodie we press.

Before the first wash

Wait at least 24 hours after receiving a freshly pressed garment before the first wash, so the adhesive has fully set.

Washing

Turn the garment inside out, wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, and use a mild detergent. Skip bleach and fabric softener, which weaken the adhesive. Wash similar colors together and avoid overloading the machine.

Drying

Hang to dry, or tumble dry on low heat, ideally inside out. High heat is the most common reason vinyl lifts at the edges.

Ironing and storing

Never iron directly on the design. If you must iron the garment, do it from the inside. Fold the shirt rather than hanging it with weight on the print, and avoid storing it while damp.

If an edge starts to lift

Lay a thin cloth over the design and press it with a hot iron for a few seconds. If a design is damaged soon after delivery, contact us; our Shipping & Returns page explains how we handle defects.