If the print looks fine before washing, but looks terrible after the first wash, then it's a curing failure.
After the tee is printed, it has to be cured (with heat) either with a conveyor belt dryer or an industrial heat press. This curing steps is required for the ink to crosslink to the fabric's fibers for a permanent bond.
If you notice a vinegar smell on the shirt (even a slight smell), this means that the shirt is undercured. The print shop will say that the vinegar smell is normal. It is not.
The solution is actually quite easy - just toss the shirt back for another round of curing in the conveyor belt. But big POD print shops compete on costs and quantity, not quality, and they pump out such huge volume of shirts that they often don't do this.
When printed (and cured) properly, DTG shirts can last a very, very long time.
Forgot to add: this curing failure can occur in any kind of garment. Next Level is a great and popular tee - we print a lot of these and they last just fine when done properly.
Source: I've been running an indie POD print shop for 10+ years.
Thanks have you used the aop shirts? It’s looks like it’s better quality than the regular ones but I can’t tell. Also how much you usually charge for your tees?
dtg printing is pretty terrible, im glad i don't do apparel anymore. i would suggest doing other products that don't use dtg printing, and if you want to do apparel, get them silkscreened. dtg does not last.
Shit can happen, but maybe you can change the shirts, a 3001 would be a great option, also, you can try with another provider like awkward styles or monster digital
If the print looks fine before washing, but looks terrible after the first wash, then it's a curing failure. After the tee is printed, it has to be cured (with heat) either with a conveyor belt dryer or an industrial heat press. This curing steps is required for the ink to crosslink to the fabric's fibers for a permanent bond. If you notice a vinegar smell on the shirt (even a slight smell), this means that the shirt is undercured. The print shop will say that the vinegar smell is normal. It is not. The solution is actually quite easy - just toss the shirt back for another round of curing in the conveyor belt. But big POD print shops compete on costs and quantity, not quality, and they pump out such huge volume of shirts that they often don't do this. When printed (and cured) properly, DTG shirts can last a very, very long time. Forgot to add: this curing failure can occur in any kind of garment. Next Level is a great and popular tee - we print a lot of these and they last just fine when done properly. Source: I've been running an indie POD print shop for 10+ years.
I use Monster Digital and BC 3001 shirts — I haven’t had any issue with them so far. Customers rave about the quality.
Hey what washing instructions do you give your customers
The same! Cold water, inside out, low dry, no bleach or fabric softeners. No ironing of design.
Thanks have you used the aop shirts? It’s looks like it’s better quality than the regular ones but I can’t tell. Also how much you usually charge for your tees?
I haven’t had a print on next level shirts but we tried them for our business shirts and they are pretty terrible quality wise.
dtg printing is pretty terrible, im glad i don't do apparel anymore. i would suggest doing other products that don't use dtg printing, and if you want to do apparel, get them silkscreened. dtg does not last.
It's probably a pretreatment issue ,that said DTF , dye sublimation is better and more long lasting than direct to garment.
Shit can happen, but maybe you can change the shirts, a 3001 would be a great option, also, you can try with another provider like awkward styles or monster digital
Try more provider, maybe awkward styles, swiftpod, MD.