A screen print is ink pressed through a mesh screen onto the fabric and cured with heat. Printed well, it lasts a long time. A few habits in the laundry room make it last even longer.
Turn it inside out
Washing a tee inside out means the printed side rubs against the inside of the shirt, not against zippers, jeans and the drum of the machine. It is the single easiest way to protect a print.
Wash cold
Cold water is gentler on both the fabric and the ink. It also helps cotton hold its size and shape.
Hang to dry
High dryer heat is hard on prints and fabric. Hanging your tee to dry, or using a low setting, keeps the print and the fit where they should be.
Skip the iron on the print
If you need to iron a printed tee, iron it inside out and avoid pressing directly on the design.
Go easy on harsh products
Bleach and strong stain removers can fade ink and weaken fabric. Treat stains gently and test first.
Our care line
For every XUSI printed garment we recommend the same thing: wash cold, inside out, and hang to dry. Our standard tees are 100% cotton and shrink free. See the size guide for how each style fits.
Need shirts printed?
We are an Indigenous-owned print shop in Saskatoon. We print custom apparel for teams, schools, businesses and events, with a 10-garment minimum and design help included. Request a quote, or read screen printing vs DTF vs embroidery.
How often should you wash a printed tee?
Gym shirts need washing after every session. Everyday tees can often go more than one wear. Fewer, gentler washes mean less wear on the print and the fabric.
Wash with similar colours
New dark garments can release dye in the first few washes. Washing darks with darks and lights with lights keeps colours clean.
Store it flat or folded
Heavyweight cotton tees hold their shape best folded. Hanging a heavy tee for a long time can stretch the shoulders.
What cracking means
Fine cracking on an old print usually comes from high heat, stretching or a lot of washes. Cold water, inside-out washing and air drying slow it down.
Quick checklist
- Turn it inside out.
- Wash cold with similar colours.
- Skip bleach.
- Hang or lay flat to dry.
- Iron inside out, never on the print.
Written by XUSI, an Indigenous-owned clothing and screen printing brand from Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory. Our story · What the words mean