Key Takeaways
- The durability of custom apparel begins with you picking high-quality fabrics like cotton, polyester blends, or bamboo.
- Choose the right printing method, as each of them offers different durability and suitability depending on the fabric and designs.
- Make sure to store custom apparel in cool and dry places to prevent damage to prints and fabrics.
- Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach, and hot water when you are washing printed clothes.
- Before reusing garments after long storage, check for signs of damage and refresh them with a gentle wash or steam.
If you are also a custom apparel enthusiast, just like me, then you will understand that watching a hoodie fade, peel, and lose its shape really hurts, especially when we spent a good amount of money on it.
In fact, not only us, but almost 62% of consumers feel the same about the quality and durability of these clothes. (source: UNEP) But that’s enough of these apparels. Now we will follow what Vivienne Westwood said: “Buy less, choose well, make it last.”
These custom-made products are not just to look good but to keep our investments and unique styles preserved for the future. And in this guide, we will talk about everything from choosing the quality and print to strategies for storing and keeping it as amazing as new. So, let’s begin without wasting more time!
Understanding the Importance of Quality Materials
Whenever we go shopping, the first thing we check before buying any stuff is its fabric and quality. Why? Because the quality and type of fabric decide our level of comfort and the longevity of that piece.
Fabrics like cotton, polyester blends, and bamboo are breathable ones; plus, they last for a longer period of time, while the synthetic ones are good at holding the print longer.
The choice is yours, but make sure you choose a reputable dealer who does not compromise on colorfastness and durability.
Choosing the Right Printing Method
The market has varieties in everything now, which obviously causes a lot of confusion for the buyers. Some of the printing methods give long-time results, but some fade really quick, which means choosing the right printing method is essential if you want your fabric to last long.
Here are the popular techniques for you to choose from:
- Screen printing: This method is best for bulk orders and vibrant colors. It also has good durability if washed properly with cold water and mild detergent.
- Direct-to-Garment (DTG): It is perfect for detailed images with fine detailing and is mostly used for medium-sized or on-demand orders.
- Heat transfer: This is good for customized projects but can peel and have cracks over time.
- Dye sublimation: It works best on polyester fabrics and gives long-lasting prints.
Fun Facts Screen printing, which is now popular in custom clothing, dates back over 2,000 years to ancient China!
A Convenient Solution for Storing Custom Apparel
When you are not wearing your customized pieces, keep them in a proper, cool and dry place rather than stuffing them into your drawers or overfilled wardrobes. Moreover, you have to avoid folding and keeping fabrics one on one, as they can lead to print damage and creases.
People who are located in Joondalup do not have to worry as they can check out keepsafestorage.com.au/self-storage-joondalup for a secure and accessible solution. It provides more with climate-controlled and clean facilities to protect your clothes from moisture, dust, and climate instability.
Properly Caring for Custom Printed Apparel
Proper care is essential for keeping these fabrics as they are for a long time. The basic thing you can keep in mind is to keep it away from the heat or direct sunlight, store it in a proper space, press it inside out, wash it by hand, invest in quality, and follow the other instructions given with the fabric.
Avoiding Harsh Chemicals
Bleach, harsh detergent, and other fabric softeners can damage the print, though it’s better to go for mild and print-friendly products for washing. Also, make sure you read the care label properly, as that can give you specific details about products that can be used on those fabrics.
Ironing with Caution
The prints can be damaged by high or direct heat access, so whenever you iron these fabrics, do it from the other side of the fabric and avoid direct contact with the designs. Another way that you can use for removing creases safely is pressing clothes and steam irons.
Storing Custom Printed Apparel Correctly
Storing it properly doesn’t mean just keeping it folded; the environment also plays an important role that people usually miss. A cool and dry place is mandatory for keeping them safe from fading and print damage.
If you are planning to keep your clothes stored longer than usual, then avoid places with uneven temperatures. Learn more about storing items in different conditions to prevent moldiness and damage.
Avoiding Overcrowding Your Closet
Cramping your clothes in a closet can spoil both prints and fabrics, so it’s better to keep them arranged and let them stay in their original forms. Moreover, if it is properly folded, the chances of getting creases over prints also reduce.
Did you know?
Clothes that are stored in airtight plastic bags are 3x more likely to trap moisture and lead to mildew. Thus, breathable cotton garment bags are the real MVPs!
Using Proper Hangers for Storage
According to a survey, using proper hangers can reduce the shoulder stretch and fabric sagging in custom garments by 48% as compared to wired hangers. (source: Butler Luxury)
Wire hangers can affect the shape of fabrics and leave marks, so it’s better to choose one that supports the garment’s shape. Padded, wooden, or velvet hangers are good options that you can consider for preventing shoulder bumps and fabric stretching. For the garments that have large prints, folding is a better option.
Maintaining the Shape of Custom Apparel
The shape of these clothes can be maintained by delicate washing, air drying, and smart storage. Other than that, as explained above, hangers also play a major role, so be aware of that.
A garment bag is a good option for stuff that you wear once in a while, as it keeps dust away and helps garments hold their shape while hanging.
Rotation and Use of Custom Apparel
If you are as lazy as me and choose to wear whatever comes out at your first sight, then it needs to be changed, as that can cause damage to one piece. By rotating your garments, you can ensure that each piece of clothing is being used with sufficient breaks in between, which also increases the lifespan of items.
Reinforcing Prints for Longevity
In case your favorite t-shirt print gets some cracks, don’t worry because there are ways to extend its life now, as you can do heat pressing with a Teflon sheet to reapply heat transfer. Some companies also offer reprinting or touch-up services.
Fun Facts Heat-transfer printed shirts can get cracked not just from washing but also from being folded the wrong way!
Cleaning and Caring for Specialty Prints
Some types of prints, like glitter, foil, puff, and glow-in-the-dark, need extra care, like washing them with cold water and hanging them to get air-dried. Also, try to avoid tumble drying, as the high heat it produces can cause damage to the print of the fabrics.
Spot cleaning is an option for cleaning particular stains on the fabric and avoiding a full wash. They are very useful when it comes to delicate designs.
Ensuring Quality After Storage
When you bring out your clothes from storage, check them properly to see if they have any signs of moistness, discoloration, or pests or not. Before wearing these clothes, try to wash them gently and give a steam treatment. Such steps will help you in keeping your clothes new for a longer period of time.
Periodic Maintenance of Printed Apparel
Even after following all these above steps, your responsibility doesn’t end. Keeping a regular check on your clothes helps you ensure that they are in good condition. All you have to do is get them out to check for color fading, print cracking, or if there are any odd smells. You can hang them out in the sunlight for some time to naturally deodorize or just refresh them with some natural sprays.
By following these steps and treating it with the care it deserves, you can keep your custom-printed apparel fresh and new forever.
How often should I wash these custom-made clothes?
Only when it’s necessary, as overwashing can damage the prints and fabrics. Spot-cleaning is also an option in case it has a stain.
Can I give my printed shirt for dry cleaning?
It depends on the type of print your shirt has. Like if it is a DTG or screen-printed shirt, they are typically not made for dry cleaning. To learn more about it, you can check the care labels of your stuff.
Can I fold my printed clothes for long-term storage?
Yes, you can, but fold from the sides and avoid the printed area. For better results, try using tissue papers in your folds.
What to do if the print starts coming out?
You can try pressing it with an iron while keeping a cloth in between or go to a professional for printed or touch-up actions.
Is it really important to store printed apparel in climate-controlled places?
Yes, absolutely. Humidity and changes in temperature can cause cracks and fading to the printed clothes.
