Corporate t-shirts are an integral part of building brand identity, promoting unity amongst employees, and creating a professional impression at events, trade shows, or even day-to-day business. They can often be customized with logos, tag phrases, and company colors. They are not just clothing but key representation and communication tools.
With the amount a company may spend on designing and ordering the pieces from a custom t-shirt manufacturer or a company uniform supplier, it only makes sense to make them last as long as possible. Key maintenance tips on corporate t-shirts don’t just protect your investment – they let employees, clients appear polished and feel confident wearing the pieces.
When corporate t-shirts lose their color, shrink, stretch, or fade after only a few washes, it can affect the business. Employees may become uneasy about wearing them, especially in professional-type atmospheres, which is obviously not ideal. Here is how to maintain the quality of your corporate t-shirts.
Be Aware of the Print and Fabric Type
To ensure corporate t-shirts last as long as possible, the first step is to understand the materials and print methods used. While 100% cotton ones tend to offer the most comfort because of the softness of the fabric, they also easily wrinkle and shrink. Blended shirts, which are primarily made with cotton-polyester mixes, are often more durable and wrinkle-resistant.
Also, screen prints and heat transfer prints react differently to heat and washing processes. Specifically identifying what is used in the t-shirt allows you to set care routines. This is so that washing agents, temperature, or storage methods do not cause damage. When giving away t-shirts, the company should provide a cleaning label or some wash care instructions. The business should keep its preferences in mind when ordering the clothing from a custom t-shirt manufacturer or even a Malaysia uniform supplier.
Properly Wash at the Suitable Temperature
Another major reason t-shirts lose their color, shape, or print is improper washing. Hot water in a laundry cycle can fade prints and weaken fabric fibers over time, particularly on 100% cotton or t-shirts with custom designs. Cold or lukewarm water is generally best to preserve color and shape.
Another easy step that helps preserve the outer printed surface of t-shirts is to turn them inside out and use a gentle cycle on a washing machine to reduce friction and mechanical stress. This will help extend its life. Harsh detergents – those using bleach or strong chemicals can fade or deteriorate printed t-shirts as well. Also, always order these pieces from a reputable custom t-shirt manufacturer to ensure the best possible quality.
Refrain From Overloading the Washing Machine
The size of the load in your washing machine is a factor to consider when washing corporate t-shirts. If it is too full, the amount of friction and wear on the fabric increases, which causes damage and accelerates pilling and fading.
It is much better to wash t-shirts in smaller loads with similar colors and materials. This will provide enough space for each garment to move independently, which will help ensure dirt and detergents rinse away properly. This also gives an opportunity for proper spacing to minimize potential fiber stretching or wrinkling that can happen from compressing garments together.
Dry Correctly
After washing, it is important to ensure the t-shirts are dried properly. Some people may find it convenient to toss them into the hot dryer as soon as they are washed, but in reality, such temperature actually damages the fabric fibers, leaving printed designs to crack or peel. Old-fashioned air drying is the safest method, preferably spread out flat or on hangers in a shaded area.
If machine drying is required, it should run on the lowest setting or tumble dry. Direct sunlight exposure during the time usually causes the color of t-shirts to fade, especially if it is a dark one. This way, the pieces will dry gently, which will help in preserving the shape, vibrancy, and texture of the fabrics for much longer. Of course, it goes without saying that for such things to happen, you must first invest in high-quality pieces, ideally from a custom t-shirt manufacturer.
Conclusion
Corporate t-shirts are not just a piece of clothing that needs care, but they are also crucial for maintaining brand image, enhancing professionalism, and maximizing return on investment. An extra bit of care given to such an item could help preserve the fresh feel of wearing it. It will leave a lasting impression wherever your team goes.