When you first buy a graphic t-shirt, it’s easy to be impressed by just how fresh and vibrant the print can be. With crisp lines and beautiful colours, it’s difficult to imagine the t-shirt degrading at all, especially if it’s a high-quality garment.
Unfortunately, graphic t-shirts can be relatively vulnerable, and it’s important that you look after them in the right way. Here, we explore in a bit more detail why graphic t-shirts tend to crack, as well as some tips on how to prevent that from happening.
Heat
One of the main issues that can accelerate the degradation of graphic t-shirts is improper product care. The inks that have been printed onto the fabric remain vulnerable relative to the fabric that they’re printed on – your cotton t-shirt might be able to handle a 90-degree wash with a fast spin, but that kind of cycle could ruin the graphic.
High-heat washing and drying cycles can make the ink start to break down, while also causing the fabric fibres to shrink. The combination of these two factors often leads to cracking, and will always shorten the life of your graphic t-shirt. Try to wash on a cooler setting, and air-dry out of the sun.
Harsh chemicals
Certain extra-strong detergents, bleaches and softeners can also degrade either the ink itself or the adhesives contained in the ink that fix the design to the t-shirt. As a result, using these kinds of products can lead to cracking a lot more quickly, while also peeling the design off at the edges.
Have a look at the manufacturer’s instructions, or ask printing professionals like Screen Textiles, and then try to choose a gentler detergent. If you really do need to use a harsh detergent due to where you wear the t-shirt, then you’ll just have to accept that the design won’t last as long as it would otherwise.
Manufacturing process issues
Another common reason why graphic t-shirts crack prematurely can be related to a number of manufacturing-related issues. For example, if the ink isn’t heated properly, or cured for long enough, it’s possible that it doesn’t quite seep down into the fibres of the fabric and get a really good grip.
Likewise, if the ink quality is poor, it might not have the right kind of flexibility to allow the fabric that it’s placed on to stretch. And if the t-shirt is made from the wrong fabric, it might not be able to hold the ink properly, leading to cracks when the fabric stretches, either due to regular wear or temperature changes during drying or washing.
Seeing cracks start to emerge in your graphic t-shirts can be annoying, especially if it’s a new or favourite design. In some cases, this might be a bit out of your control, if the cracks stem from an error in the manufacturing process. However, in most situations, you will be able to increase their lifespan with some simple product care adjustments, keeping it fresh and clean for years to come.
