Maintenance and Cleaning of Products

Print-on-Demand Product Cleaning Guide

Print-on-Demand (POD) products, including t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, mugs, and water bottles, require special care to maintain the quality of the print and the longevity of the item.

Proper cleaning techniques can help preserve the vibrant colors and overall appearance.

 

Follow these guidelines to ensure your POD products stay looking great:

General Tips:

1. Read Care Instructions: Always check the care instructions provided by the manufacturer or POD platform. Different materials and printing methods may have specific requirements

2. Turn Inside Out: Before washing, turn clothing items like t-shirts, hoodies, and jackets inside out. This helps protect the printed surface from friction and abrasion during the washing process.


3. Use Mild Detergents: Opt for a mild detergent that doesn't contain bleach or harsh chemicals. Harsh detergents can fade colors and damage prints over time.

4. Cold Water Wash: Wash clothing items in cold water to prevent colors from bleeding and preserve the integrity of the print. Warm or hot water can contribute to fading.


5. Gentle Cycle: Use a gentle cycle on your washing machine to minimize agitation. This is particularly important for clothing items with delicate prints.

6. Air Dry or Low Heat: Whenever possible, air-dry clothing items. If you need to use a dryer, choose a low heat setting. High heat can cause prints to crack or fade over time.

 

Specific Guidelines for Different Products:

T-Shirts, Hoodies, and Jackets:

1. Avoid Ironing Directly on Prints: If ironing is necessary, turn the garment inside out and use a low heat setting. Avoid ironing directly on the printed area.

2. Fold Carefully: When storing, fold garments carefully to prevent prints from rubbing against each other.


Mugs:

1. Hand Wash Recommended: While many POD mugs are dishwasher-safe, hand washing is recommended for longevity. Dishwasher detergents and high temperatures can affect the print.

2. Avoid Scratching: Use soft sponges or cloths when cleaning to avoid scratching the printed surface.

Water Bottles:

1. Hand Wash Only: Hand wash water bottles with a mild detergent. Avoid using abrasive scrubbers that could damage the print.


2. Keep Away from Extreme Heat: Don't expose water bottles to extreme heat, such as leaving them in a hot car, as this can affect the print and the integrity of the bottle.

Additional Tips:

1. Check for Special Instructions: Some prints may have additional care instructions, such as avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight.


2. Handle with Clean Hands: When handling any POD product, make sure your hands are clean to avoid transferring oils or dirt to the print.


3. Store Properly: Store products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and damage.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your Print-on-Demand products remain in excellent condition, preserving the quality and vibrancy of the prints for an extended period.

Always refer to the specific care instructions provided by the manufacturer or POD platform for the best results.

 

Further Care instructions (Specific)

Printed apparel (direct-to-garment)

The latest direct-to-garment (DTG) printing technology offers a wide variety of printable garments and design color options. High-quality inks are used that won't fade for a long time if taken care of properly.

Keep in mind that the original manufacturer's care instructions don't take into consideration the DTG printing process. It is suggest that you follow the care instructions on this page to learn how to take care of your printed garments properly.

Printed apparel can be machine-washed cold, inside-out on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent and like colors. Use non-chlorine bleach only when necessary. You shouldn't use any fabric softeners or dry-clean the items.

DTG-printed apparel can be tumble-dried on a low cycle, but hang-dry works best.

When it comes to ironing, use cool iron inside-out. Don't iron the print.

Follow these instructions carefully to avoid fading and cracking of the print, and shrinking the garment that can occur if you wash or dry it on a high setting.

 

Printed apparel (direct-to-film)

Latest direct-to-film (DTF) printing technology is used to offer high-quality prints that will maintain great color and vibrancy over time—even exceeding the color fastness of the garment itself.

Keep in mind that the original manufacturer’s care instructions don’t take into consideration the DTF printing process. Follow these care instructions on this page to learn how to take care of your printed garments properly.

DTF printed apparel can be machine-washed cold, inside-out on a gentle cycle using your washer’s recommended amount of detergent. You shouldn’t use any fabric softeners.

It can be tumble-dried on a low cycle, however air drying is preferred for the print to last longer. When it comes to ironing, use a cool iron inside-out. Don’t iron the print.

Follow these instructions carefully to avoid fading and cracking of the print, and shrinking the garment that can occur if you wash or dry it on a high setting.

Embroidered apparel

Embroidered apparel can be machine-washed cold, inside-out on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent and like colors. You can use a small amount of chlorine bleach, but non-chlorine is the safer option.

If you notice any color residue in water, rinse the garment in lukewarm water and then in cold several times, but try not to rub any stained embroidery. Embroidered clothing can also be dry-cleaned.

After washing, don't leave the clothing to soak or lie in a pile while wet. Don't wring out the embroidered items, but if you want to tumble-dry them, use a cool air setting.

If the garment needs ironing, do it inside-out, preferably between two pieces of cloth. You shouldn't wet embroidery before ironing or use a steam iron.

Embroidered hats, backpacks, and shoes

Embroidered hats, backpacks, and shoes can be wiped clean with a damp cloth in the spots where it’s needed. If necessary, hats and shoes can be hand-washed cold. Don’t use brushes.

All three products can’t be machine-washed, bleached, tumble-dried, ironed, or dry-cleaned. Read the manufacturer label carefully for any other instructions.

Embroidered aprons

Embroidered aprons can be machine-washed at 86ºF (30ºC) or less. Don't use bleach. They can be tumble-dried on a low cycle. Read the manufacturer label carefully for any other instructions.

 

All-over printed apparel, hats, fabric, and swimwear

All-over printed apparel and fabrics can be machine-washed cold with like colors, without bleach. Don’t dry-clean or tumble-dry the apparel. You can iron it with a low heat setting.

 

All-Over Print Face Masks

All-Over Print Face Masks can be machine-washed at 140ºF (60ºC) with like colors, without bleach. They can't be dry-cleaned. You can tumble-dry the face masks on low heat and iron on a cool setting.

 

Bags

All-over print backpacks, fanny packs, and duffle bags need to be hand-washed without bleach. Don’t dry-clean or tumble-dry the bags. You can iron these bags with a low heat setting.

All-over print totes and drawstring bags can be machine-washed without bleach on a cold cycle. They can't be tumble-dried or dry-cleaned. You can iron these bags with a low heat setting.

 

Pillows and pillow cases

Pillow cases can be machine-washed without bleach on a cold cycle. Don’t dry-clean or tumble-dry the pillow cases. You can iron them with a low heat setting.

The pillow inserts shouldn’t be washed, bleached, tumble-dried, ironed, or dry-cleaned.

 

Bean Bag Covers

The cover of the Bean Bag can be machine-washed on a cold cycle without bleach. Don’t dry-clean or tumble-dry the cover. You can iron it with a low heat setting.

 

Sublimation socks, blankets, towels, and laptop sleeves

Sublimation socks, blankets, towels, and laptop sleeves can be machine-washed cold with like colors at no more than 86ºF (30ºC). Don't use bleach and don't dry-clean. It's best to hang-dry, but tumble-drying can be used on a low cycle if necessary.

 

Sublimation flip flops

Sublimation flip flops can be hand-washed in warm water with a mild neutral detergent.

 

Mugs

Our White Glossy Mugs and White Ceramic Mugs with Color Inside are microwave and dishwasher safe, but the print and coating will last longer if you hand-wash them.

The Enamel Mugs and the Black Glossy Mugs, however, should only be hand-washed. Also, you can’t heat liquids or food directly in them—it can damage their coating.

 

Posters and Canvas

To ensure that your posters and canvas last for a long time, don’t keep them in direct sunlight or outdoors. They can be gently dusted with a soft dry cloth or a feather duster.

 

Phone Cases

To clean a phone case, remove the case from your phone. Add a little mild soap to water, and dampen a cloth or sponge with it. With the damp cloth, rub your case gently in circles. Let your case air-dry at room temperature.

Don’t clean your phone case with any alcohol-based products as they can remove the ink and discolor the case.

 

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Hand-wash only (dishwasher not recommended due to vacuum seal).

 

Wooden Ornaments

Use a damp cloth to wipe the Wooden Ornaments clean.