How to care for custom printed fabric and DTF garments

Proper care extends the life of your custom printed fabric and keeps colors vibrant wash after wash. Care instructions vary slightly depending on the printing method used.

Care for digitally printed natural fabrics (cotton, linen, viscose, jersey)

Natural fabrics printed with pigment inks on the Kornit Presto system are durable and colorfast when washed correctly.

  • Wash at 30–40°C (86–104°F) on a gentle or normal cycle
  • Turn garments inside out before washing to reduce surface friction
  • Use a mild, pH-neutral detergent — avoid bleach or optical brighteners
  • Do not tumble dry at high heat; air dry or use low heat setting
  • Iron on the reverse side of the print, or use a pressing cloth
  • Do not dry clean

Pigment-printed fabrics may experience slight color softening after the first 1–2 washes — this is normal and stabilizes thereafter.

Care for DTF printed garments

DTF transfers bond strongly to the fabric surface. With correct care, they resist cracking and peeling for 50+ wash cycles.

  • Wash inside out at 30–40°C (86–104°F)
  • Use a gentle cycle and mild detergent
  • Avoid fabric softeners — they can degrade the adhesive layer of the DTF transfer over time
  • Do not tumble dry; air dry is strongly recommended
  • Do not iron directly on the printed area — iron on the reverse or use a protective cloth
  • Do not dry clean

Care for sublimation printed polyester fabrics

Sublimation dye is embedded into the polyester fibers, making it the most wash-resistant of all three methods.

  • Machine wash at 30–40°C (86–104°F)
  • Colors will not fade or crack — sublimation prints are permanent
  • Avoid high-temperature drying as excessive heat can damage polyester fibers
  • Do not use bleach

Adding care labels to your products

If you're a brand producing items for retail, care labeling is mandatory in the EU and US. Muzefab offers custom woven and printed fabric labels. Contact us or visit our fabric labels page for options.

Browse fabric labels