Washing custom clothing
A marking almost never wears out on its own: it is damaged in the wash, in the dryer, or by an iron put down in the wrong place. Here is what to do, and the three habits that ruin a transfer.
The four rules that are enough
They apply to any marking, whatever the technique. Followed, a design lasts several years; ignored, it does not last the winter.
- Turn the garment inside out before it goes in the drum: the marking no longer rubs against the door or against other clothes.
- Wash at 30 or 40 °C, normal cycle. Heat improves nothing and softens transfers.
- No tumble dryer, or on the gentlest programme. It is heat combined with tumbling that lifts a film.
- Never put the iron directly on the marking. Iron on the inside, or place a thin cloth in between.
A DTF transfer
Wait 24 hours after delivery before the first wash. The adhesive finishes setting as it cools: washed too early, a piece that came off the press the day before is fragile for no reason.
After that, 30 to 40 °C inside out, with no bleach or chlorine stain remover. A properly pressed transfer withstands several dozen cycles; what damages it is not the water, it is the repeated tumble dryer and the iron put on top of it.
Fabric softener is not forbidden, but it leaves a greasy film on the print and dulls the colours over time. On marked pieces, do without.
Embroidery
It is the most robust marking: thread stitched into the fabric, which does not peel or melt. It withstands 40 to 60 °C and professional laundering.
Two precautions all the same. Iron on the inside: an iron laid flat on embroidery crushes the relief and makes the thread shine. And if a thread sticks out, cut it flush, never pull on it, or you undo the stitch.
On workwear washed every week at 60 °C, it is the only technique we recommend without reservation.
High-visibility clothing
Its certification has a measured lifespan: the manufacturer states a maximum number of wash cycles on the label, often between 25 and 50. Beyond that, the fluorescent colour fades and the garment is no longer compliant, even if it looks fine.
Wash it separately from dirty site clothes, with no softener: softener clogs the retroreflective strips and reduces their reflective power. And watch the colour: a yellow turning beige is a garment to replace, not to recycle as everyday wear.
The three habits that ruin a marking
These are the ones we are told about most often, and all of them are avoidable.
- The tumble dryer at high temperature, cycle after cycle: the film softens, the edges lift, the print ends up cracking.
- The iron placed directly on the design: the mark is immediate and irreversible.
- Washing at 60 °C a transfer meant for 40: once is not always forgiven, ten times never.
Frequently asked questions
My transfer cracked after a few washes, why?
Three possible causes, in this order: the tumble dryer, a wash temperature that was too high, or ironing directly on the design. A fourth exists: a transfer that was poorly pressed in the first place, with too little heat or pressure. If the piece came from us and the care instructions were followed, send us a photo: we redo the marking.
Can I iron a printed garment?
Yes, on the inside, or on the outside with a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the design. Never steam directly on the print, and never put the iron on it, even for a second.
Is the tumble dryer really forbidden?
It is not forbidden, it is discouraged, and it is the first cause of damaged markings. If you cannot do without it, choose the gentlest programme and take the piece out while it is still slightly damp. On embroidery, the tumble dryer is not a problem.
At what temperature should I wash embroidered clothing?
40 °C is enough in almost every case; embroidery withstands 60 °C without damage, it is the garment itself that decides. A combed-cotton polo warps above 40: it is the polo we protect, not the thread.
Should I wash a new garment before wearing it?
For a plain textile, yes: factory finishes come out in the first wash. For a piece we have just marked, simply wait 24 hours after delivery, then wash normally, inside out.
Flocking, flex or DTF? · Embroidery in detail · Custom workwear · Get a project quoted
Other guides: Ordering for Luxembourg: VAT, lead times, transport · Flocking, flex or DTF transfer · Embroidery or printing on workwear · Preparing your logo for embroidery or printing · Eco-friendly caps and clothing: what the claims mean · Marking a bag, a backpack or a cap