How to Wash Graphic Tees Without Cracking the Print

A cracked print is almost always a laundry problem rather than a manufacturing one. The good news is that the fixes are simple and cost nothing. The short version: cold water, inside out, low heat, and never iron the graphic directly.

Why prints crack in the first place

It depends what kind of print you have, and the difference matters.

Plastisol and heat transfers

These sit on top of the fabric as a separate plastic layer. When the cotton underneath expands and contracts with heat, the plastic layer does not move with it, and it eventually splits. This is the print that cracks.

Water-based and discharge inks

These soak into the fibre and become part of the fabric. There is no separate layer to separate, so they do not crack. They fade very slowly instead, which is a far gentler failure. All Nabi Kids tees use water-based inks.

If you are not sure which you have, run a finger over the graphic. A distinct raised, slightly rubbery edge means plastisol or transfer. A print you can barely feel means water-based.

The five rules

1. Turn it inside out

The single most effective thing you can do. In a washing machine, the damage comes from abrasion against other garments and the drum. Inside out, the graphic faces inward and is protected by the fabric itself.

2. Wash cold

30°C or cold. Heat is what expands the fibres and stresses any print, and it also accelerates dye fade. Modern detergents are formulated to work at low temperatures, so you lose almost nothing in cleaning power.

3. Skip the dryer, or use low heat

Tumble drying is harder on a print than washing is. It combines heat with sustained mechanical tumbling. If you must use a dryer, use the lowest setting and take the shirt out slightly damp. Hanging is better and costs nothing.

4. Never iron the graphic

Direct iron contact will melt a plastisol print instantly and can scorch a water-based one. Iron inside out, or place a thin cloth between the iron and the graphic. Better still, hang the shirt damp and let it drop.

5. Avoid bleach and fabric softener

Chlorine bleach attacks both dye and ink. Fabric softener coats the fibres and can dull a print over time. Neither is necessary for cotton that is washed regularly.

Getting stains out without damaging the print

The rule is cold and fast. Heat sets stains permanently, which means a stained shirt should never go in a dryer until you can see the mark has gone.

Treat the fabric around and beneath the stain rather than scrubbing directly on the graphic. For food and grass, a cold soak with an enzyme detergent for an hour usually does it. For grease, a small amount of dish soap worked in gently with a fingertip is more effective than a stain spray.

Drying and storage

Dry out of direct sunlight. UV fades dyed cotton faster than washing does, and a black tee dried on a sunny line will go grey noticeably faster than one dried in shade.

Hang rather than fold if you have space. Folding puts a permanent crease through the middle of a chest graphic, which on a plastisol print is exactly where it will eventually split.

Common questions

Can I wash graphic tees with everything else?

Yes, provided the load is cold and the tees are inside out. Keep them away from zips and Velcro, which cause most abrasion damage.

How do I stop a print from peeling at the edges?

Peeling edges indicate a transfer print, which cannot be repaired once it starts. Low heat and no ironing will slow it down. Water-based prints do not peel.