The Trouble with Shrinking Shirts

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Tips for Working with Heat Transfer Films

Should it be a surprise that cotton tee-shirts shrink?  Even us guys know that! Cotton garments shrink. 100% cotton can shrink as much as 10% to 12%. Especially if you simmer the clothes in hot water in your washer, and then bake it on high in the dryer until it’s bone dry.

If the tee-shirt shrinks, expect the applique to shrink too!

If the tee-shirt shrinks, expect the applique to shrink too!Of course, we all know that there are right ways and wrong ways to wash and dry. It’s our customers that we have to worry about. When they abuse a tee-shirt and it shrinks, expect to hear the complaint that the heat transfer applique also shrunk and shriveled up with the shirt.

Of course, we all know that there are right ways and wrong ways to wash and dry. It’s our customers that we have to worry about. When they abuse a tee-shirt and it shrinks, expect to hear the complaint that the heat transfer applique also shrunk and shriveled up with the shirt.

So what can a shop owner do to avoid these complaints? Some thicker vinyl heat transfers will hold their shape a little better – but not much.  The problem with the thicker films is that they are as stiff and as uncomfortable  as a plastic placard. You might as well give the customer a sandwich board to walk around in.

The fact is that the whole heat transfer industry is developing thinner, softer and more stretchable films. If the fabric shrinks, the film will shrink with it and it will look wrinkled.
Probably the best solution to the problem is to buy pre-shrunk shirts. The shirts will cost a little more, but they are worth it. Or you could buy a cotton blend which will shrink less.
Of course, you could always pre-wash the shirts yourself.  This is not very practical because it is time-consuming. A better practice is to pre-press the shirt  for three to five seconds prior to heat pressing the applique also helps pre-shrink the shirt.

 

About the author . . .

Jim Hingst, is a recognized authority in the field of vinyl graphics application. In Vinyl Sign Techniques, Hingst provides a comprehensive guide to the vinyl graphics business. Built around his firsthand experiences working for major fleet graphics screen printers and pressure sensitive manufacturers, Hingst offers a perspective on the vinyl business that thoroughly covers sales and marketing, materials, fabrication, and installation and removal of vinyl products of all kinds. Vinyl Sign Techniques has something for everybody in the vinyl graphics business. Hingst’s book, provides ideas and techniques for graphics fabricators and installers along with advice for executives and salespeople that will result in higher sales and profits.

As seen on hingstssignpost.blogspot.com.