Hello In Stitches family,
When you get a new shirt, hoodie, or jacket from us, it’s more than just clothing — it’s a piece of your story that we’re proud to be a part of. Whether it’s your team jersey, company polos, or that soft hoodie from your favorite event, you want it to look great for as long as possible.
Let’s talk about some do’s and don’ts when it comes to taking care of your decorated apparel.
Do’s
✅ Wash in Cold Water
Cold water is gentle on fabrics and helps prevent colors from fading — especially for screen printing, heat transfer vinyl, and sublimation designs.
✅ Turn Items Inside Out
Flipping your shirt or hoodie inside out before washing protects the design from rubbing against other clothes and the washing machine drum.
✅ Use a Gentle Cycle
A gentle cycle keeps fabrics from stretching and prevents unnecessary wear on embroidery and prints.
✅ Hang Dry or Use Low Heat
Heat is the enemy of decorated apparel. Hang drying is best, but if you must use a dryer, keep it on the lowest heat setting.
✅ Store Properly
Fold items neatly or hang them up in a cool, dry place. Avoid cramming them in drawers where prints and embroidery can get creased.
Don’ts
🚫 Don’t Use Bleach or Harsh Detergents (like OxyClean)
They can damage fabric and cause designs to crack or fade. Stick with mild detergent.
🚫 Don’t Iron Directly on the Decoration
If you need to iron, turn the garment inside out or place a cloth between the iron and the design.
🚫 Don’t Dry Clean
The chemicals used in dry cleaning can be too harsh for most decorated fabrics.
🚫 Don’t Overload the Washer
Clothes need space to move freely — overloading can cause friction that wears down your designs faster.
🚫 Don’t use Fabric Softeners
They can dull the decoration’s finish and reduce fabric absorbency.
🚫 Don’t Wash with Heavy Items
Do not wash with heavy garments such as jeans or towels to prevent abrasion.
A Note About Specific Decorations
- Embroidery: Gentle washing is key. Embroidery thread is durable, but snagging can happen if it’s tossed in with rough items like jeans or towels.
- Screen Printing & HTV: Keep heat exposure to a minimum and avoid fabric softener, which can weaken adhesion.
- Sublimation: Designs are infused into the fabric, so they’re fade-resistant — but still wash with care to keep the fabric itself in good shape.
When you take a few extra minutes to wash and store your decorated apparel with care can make a HUGE difference. At In Stitches, we put time and heart into every piece we create for you and with a little TLC, your custom gear can look just as good years from now as it did the day you got it!
With a little extra care, your decorated apparel can look this good for months or years too!
Download a little reminder on how to care for your decorated apparel here.