When you buy personalized clothing, you want them to maintain their appearance and quality for as long as possible, even after many washes.
To achieve this, it is important to choose the textile marking technique best suited to your needs. In this article we will look at the different most common textile marking techniques and their resistance to washing.
We will discuss the advantages and limitations of each technique, as well as the washing conditions to guarantee optimal durability.
Screen printing is a textile marking technique that is very resistant to washing, up to 60°C in the machine. Print life is approximately 50 washes. However, it is advisable to avoid tumble drying to preserve the print and extend its life. Ironing is possible but it is recommended to do it inside out and at a low temperature.
Sublimation is a textile marking technique that offers excellent washing resistance. Prints made by sublimation are machine washable up to 60°C. However, sublimation cannot be tumble dried, so it is recommended to air dry clothes. Ironing is possible at a low temperature and avoiding direct contact between the iron and the print.
The screen-printed transfer offers good washing resistance, up to 40°C in the machine. Print life is approximately 30 washes. Tumble drying is possible, but it is recommended to do so at low temperatures. Ironing is possible but it is recommended to do it inside out and at a low temperature.
DTF is a textile marking technique that offers excellent washing resistance. Typically, a DTF print can withstand around 50-60 washes at a maximum wash temperature of 40°C. Tumble drying is not recommended to preserve the print and extend its life. Ironing is possible but it is recommended to do it inside out and at a low temperature.
The flocking offers good resistance to washing, up to 60°C in the machine. Print life is approximately 30 washes. Tumble drying is possible, but it is recommended to do so at low temperatures. Ironing is possible but it is recommended to do it inside out and at a low temperature.
Direct printing offers average washing resistance, up to 40°C in the machine. Print life is approximately 20 washes. Tumble drying is possible, but it is recommended to do so at low temperatures. Ironing is possible but it is recommended to do it inside out and at a low temperature.
In conclusion, it is important to choose the marking technique according to the textile and the intended use. Screen printing, sublimation and screen transfer are proven techniques that offer good wash resistance. However, DTF, flocking and direct printing can also offer good wash resistance if the quality of the print and the technique used are optimal.
Washing resistance is an important criterion to take into account when choosing a textile marking technique. Depending on the intended use of custom clothing, some techniques are more suitable than others. Screen printing is resistant but can degrade over time, sublimation offers superior image quality but is not suitable for dark textiles, flocking is resistant but can fade, while DTF offers optimal durability over time. It is therefore essential to choose your marking technique according to your needs and to follow the washing instructions to maintain the quality of your personalized clothing.
