We print every Pinkswag tee and hoodie in our Brighton studio, so we've seen what makes a print last and what wears it out. The good news: it takes no extra effort, just a few small habits. Looking after your clothes also means buying less, which is better for the planet.
The quick version
- Turn it inside out before washing.
- Wash at 30°C with similar colours.
- Use a gentle liquid detergent, and no bleach or fabric softener on the print.
- Air dry it, flat or on a hanger. Skip the tumble dryer.
- If you iron it, do it inside out, and never iron over the print.
Why inside out?
In the drum, your clothes rub against each other, the zips and the buttons. Turning a tee inside out means the fabric takes that rubbing instead of the print, so the design stays sharp and the colours stay bright.
Why 30°C?
Hot washes are the quickest way to fade colours, shrink cotton and crack a print. Modern detergents clean well at 30°C, and it uses less energy too. Save hot washes for towels.
Why skip the tumble dryer?
High heat is hard on both the print and the cotton. It's the most common reason a print cracks or a tee shrinks a size. Hang it up or dry it flat and it'll keep its shape and its size.
Hoodies and sweatshirts
Most of our hoodies are a soft blend of cotton and recycled polyester. Wash them inside out at 30°C, zip and drawstrings done up so they don't snag, and dry them flat so the cuffs and waistband don't stretch. Hoodies hold water, so give them a little longer to dry.
Organic cotton tees
Our black, white, grey and navy tees are made from 100% organic cotton, GOTS certified. Organic cotton is soft and strong, and like all cotton it can shrink a little in hot water, which is one more reason to stick to 30°C.
Caps, fans and prints
- Embroidered caps: spot clean with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, then let them air dry. Don't put them in the washing machine.
- Clack fans: wipe the fabric gently with a damp cloth and keep the bamboo ribs dry. Our clack fan guide has more tips.
- Prints and posters: frame them out of direct sunlight so the colours don't fade.
If something's not right
Every piece is checked before it leaves the studio, but if something arrives faulty, tell us within 14 days and we'll put it right. You can start a return on our returns page.
Find your next favourite
Treat it well and your tee will be with you for years. When you're ready for the next one, browse our T-shirts and hoodies, and check our size guides for the perfect fit.
Questions
Can I put a printed T-shirt in the tumble dryer?
It's best not to. High heat can crack the print and shrink the cotton. Air drying keeps it looking new for longer.
What temperature should I wash a printed hoodie at?
30°C, inside out, with similar colours. Dry it flat.
Can I iron a printed T-shirt?
Yes, inside out on a low setting. Never put the iron directly on the print.
Will my T-shirt shrink?
Cotton can shrink a little in hot water or a hot dryer. Washing at 30°C and air drying keeps it true to size.
