How many washes is enough for testing?

1752 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Skinbus, May 23, 2014

KermitTheFrogit

Discussion Starter · May 22, 2014

Hi folks. I'm not very experienced with water based printing and recently got a sample piece from a printer I need to test. I was wondering how many times do you wash the final product before you are confident the print is sale ready?

When I first had a look at the tee before washing, the print had a very slight feel to it when you ran your fingers over it. After 3 washes, the feel has completely gone (it is one with the fabric) and I think it might have even gotten slightly duller.

It still looks great though and you can't see any of the fabric through the print; I'd happily sell these if I knew they wouldn't worsen too much.

What I'm worried about is getting customers coming to me after in 3 months with badly faded tees.

Is it possible it has already begun fading but it is just not noticeable yet and after 15-20 washes it'll become unwearable? Should I just keep washing it or does the fact that it survived 3 washes with no visible problems prove it's good to go?

Thanks for the help.

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

cheapTshirts

· #2 · May 22, 2014

Wash it 15 to 20 times? Not sure if any of us would be doing so and walk back to the printer to sue! Are you being realistic to expect the quality? Surely customers are not going to apply the solvent for washing that should be used and they are neither going to follow your care label instructions. For test, if it is kinda gyro wash - 3 times is fine for the most strict 'retail/brand' clients at mass volume label. And t shirts none thinks that far.

Save

Reactions: 1

Skinbus

· #3 · May 22, 2014

I don't do screen printing, but if the shirt doesn't look badly washed out, 3 times is plenty. I do transfers which can also have some fading after washing, but it's with different ink. I feel that any type of ink, except possibly DTG printing will fade when laundered because the ink is applied to the top of the shirt & doesn't actually get into the fibers. This is supposedly why DTG printing is superior to other applications.

Save

Reactions: 2

Comin'OutSwingin

· #4 · May 22, 2014

Skinbus said:
. I feel that any type of ink, except possibly DTG printing will fade when laundered because the ink is applied to the top of the shirt & doesn't actually get into the fibers. This is supposedly why DTG printing is superior to other applications.

The OP said that they are using water based inks. Water based inks actually do get into the fibers of the shirt, and don't sit on top like plastisol inks.

Getting into the shirt doesn't make it fade any less. There will be some "lightening" of the colors with water based inks, but I still think if it looks good after 3 washes, you're good to go on retail.