DTG Print Care Guide
Because DTG cures water-based pigment ink into the cotton itself, the print stays soft but the color sits close to the surface. Cold water, an inside-out wash, and air or low-heat drying keep that pigment from cracking or dulling.
- Wait at least 24 hours after the first wear before the first wash if the shirt is brand new.
- Turn the shirt inside out.
- Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with like colors.
- Skip bleach and fabric softener.
- Hang to dry or tumble dry on the lowest heat.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Hot water, which opens the fibers and lifts the ink.
- High dryer heat, which fades DTG fastest.
- Ironing directly on the print.
Arklavo prints DTG on ring-spun cotton that is built to take a cold wash and hold its color, with no minimums and two-day shipping. Get a quote when you are ready.
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FAQ
Turn it inside out, wash cold at or below 86 degrees Fahrenheit on a gentle cycle with like colors, and air dry. Cold water and low agitation keep the water-based pigment from cracking.
Usually heat and softener. Hot water and a hot dryer break down water-based pigment fast, and fabric softener coats the cotton and dulls it. Switch to cold water and air drying and the fading slows sharply.
Air drying is best for DTG, since dryer heat is the number one cause of pigment fade. If you must use a dryer, run the lowest heat setting and pull the shirt while it is still slightly damp.
Iron around the print, or turn the shirt inside out and press through a cloth. A hot iron laid straight on water-based pigment will scorch and crack it.
With cold washing and air drying, a DTG print typically stays vivid for 40 to 50 wash cycles. Hot water, dryer heat, and fabric softener are what cut that short.
Screen print lays a thicker plastisol layer that edges out DTG over many washes, but a well-cared-for water-based DTG print holds up for years. Both fade fast under high heat, so the cold-wash routine matters more than the method.
Last updated June 30, 2026