T-Shirt Washing and Holding Up Question...

[Dcanoli]

Okay, here's my next question for all your experienced t-shirt makers, wearers, and washers!

We made the shirts (thanks Joanna and Natalie--gots LOTS of complements in the Parks this past week)....BUT here's my question...

Some of the transfers started peeling off after they got wet, and the ink started running and/or disappearing when it got wet.

Has anyone else had these issues? ...and what about washing the shirts then?

We met up with Evad (from the photography boards) while we were down there, and his wife told me that he had made one shirt, but he washed it before he wore it, and the transfer disintegrated....

Is this common? Gosh, it's heartbreaking to know you can only wear these cute creations only once!

 

[RMAMom]

What transfers did you use. Last year we made shirts with transfers from Staples, Wal-Mart and AC Moore. They held up fine and we were able to wash and wear them for months before they started cracking.

This time we ordered them from HP online. I hope that isn't the ones that everyone is having a hard time with!

 

[heartbeeps]

...Some of the transfers started peeling off after they got wet, and the ink started running and/or disappearing when it got wet. Has anyone else had these issues? ...and what about washing the shirts then?

We met up with Evad (from the photography boards) while we were down there, and his wife told me that he had made one shirt, but he washed it before he wore it, and the transfer disintegrated....

Is this common? Gosh, it's heartbreaking to know you can only wear these cute creations only once!

I authored the instructions "20 steps" on this board (somewhere) that depict the steps that I used. Washed (no fabric softener) before adding the transfer, then washing after with a vinegar wash (no fabric softener). I've just washed one tee my 7th (maybe more) times since my trip in May w/o incident. (Although I put it in the dryer for both those times, since wearing it in WDW, I do hang it to dry and then iron it on the wrong side.)

So my questions to you:
1) did you wash it b4 adding the transfer?
2) did you use fabric softener?
3) what brand of transfer did you use?
4) did you wash it with a vinegar wash after adding the transfer but before wearing? and if so, did you apply heat after the vinegar wash?

I can only speak for myself, I used HP transfers for more than 90% of the shirts (I did more than 60 shirts for 18 people over 3 days plus a few more for friends not going on the trip). I haven't had any disintegrate, run, or disappear. I did, however, have a few tees crack in the dryer during the vinegar wash. I believe one of two things could have happened on those few tees - 1) I applied the iron too long or too hot - probably too long or 2) the commercial dryer I used had a hot spot in it that caused excessive heat against the transfer. I can't prove either theory so it's just a theory but I've done a LOT of tees w/o incident.

not sure this helps but it's my experience.

 

[noahdove]

I have used transfers from Staples, Wal*Mart and HP..so far my shirts are fine..I didn't do a vinegar wash. I even used the dryers at the resort and the transfers are still fine..Maybe with heartbeeps info you will find where the error is..

 

[Dcanoli]

I authored the instructions "20 steps" on this board (somewhere) that depict the steps that I used. Washed (no fabric softener) before adding the transfer, then washing after with a vinegar wash (no fabric softener). I've just washed one tee my 7th (maybe more) times since my trip in May w/o incident. (Although I put it in the dryer for both those times, since wearing it in WDW, I do hang it to dry and then iron it on the wrong side.)

So my questions to you:
1) did you wash it b4 adding the transfer?
2) did you use fabric softener?
3) what brand of transfer did you use?
4) did you wash it with a vinegar wash after adding the transfer but before wearing? and if so, did you apply heat after the vinegar wash?

I can only speak for myself, I used HP transfers for more than 90% of the shirts (I did more than 60 shirts for 18 people over 3 days plus a few more for friends not going on the trip). I haven't had any disintegrate, run, or disappear. I did, however, have a few tees crack in the dryer during the vinegar wash. I believe one of two things could have happened on those few tees - 1) I applied the iron too long or too hot - probably too long or 2) the commercial dryer I used had a hot spot in it that caused excessive heat against the transfer. I can't prove either theory so it's just a theory but I've done a LOT of tees w/o incident.

not sure this helps but it's my experience.

Okay, hmmm...let me wade through your questions and see if this helps...

I printed out the instructions that are in the sticky threads at the top of the boards...not sure if those are the ones you are talking about, but I did follow those instructions to a "tee" (no pun intended)!


1. I washed the shirts w/no fabric softner before doing the transfers.

2. I posted about washing BEFORE wearing and after doing the transfer on these boards, and everyone responded NOT to wash them before wearing them because it would ruin the transfer, so I didn't.

3. I used two different types of transfers. One was the basic 5-pack from Hobby Lobby. Can't remember the name right off-hand, but it's the one that has the Hanes guarantee inside it. The biggest batch of transfers I got off Ebay last year, so that (of course) might be the problem.

Would the transfer paper affect the ink staying on the transfer and not "disappearing?"

Also, I had a big learning curve since these were the first t's I've done....the instructions that came with the Ebay transfers said apply heat 2 to 3 minutes, so the first t's I did, I applied the iron for three minutes!

WHAT A HUGE MISTAKE! The color of the t-shirt came through all the white places and a few other colors too! Plus, the colors lost their vibrancy (I used dark transfers on dark t's)!!

The more I did (I did about 30 t's this trip), I learned to apply the iron for less time, etc.

I'm so afraid to wash the t-shirts, but it has to be done...do you think it was the transfer medium?

I'll have to try HP next time!

 

[Dcanoli]

What transfers did you use. Last year we made shirts with transfers from Staples, Wal-Mart and AC Moore. They held up fine and we were able to wash and wear them for months before they started cracking.

This time we ordered them from HP online. I hope that isn't the ones that everyone is having a hard time with!

Looks like we need to try HP next time!

 

[heartbeeps]

1. I washed the shirts w/no fabric softner before doing the transfers.
GOOD START!

2. I posted about washing BEFORE wearing and after doing the transfer on these boards, and everyone responded NOT to wash them before wearing them because it would ruin the transfer, so I didn't.
THE POSTERS ARE SPLIT ON THIS ANYWAY SO NOT SURE THIS WAS THE CAUSE; HOWEVER, THE THEORY IS TO WASH IN VINEGAR WASH TO "SET" THE INK.

3. I used two different types of transfers. One was the basic 5-pack from Hobby Lobby. Can't remember the name right off-hand, but it's the one that has the Hanes guarantee inside it. The biggest batch of transfers I got off Ebay last year, so that (of course) might be the problem.
NOW THIS COULD BE THE CULPRIT AS I'VE READ ON THIS BOARD WHERE FOLKS HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH EBAY TRANSFERS. ALSO READ ON THIS BOARD WHERE TRANSFERS DON'T LAST FOREVER AND THE TIME THEY WERE JUST SITTING AROUND MAY HAVE WORN OUT THEIR EFFECTIVENESS.

Would the transfer paper affect the ink staying on the transfer and not "disappearing?"
VERY WELL COULD BE I PRESUME, ESPECIALLY IF IT WAS OLD TRANSFER PAPER.

Also, I had a big learning curve since these were the first t's I've done....the instructions that came with the Ebay transfers said apply heat 2 to 3 minutes, so the first t's I did, I applied the iron for three minutes!
I believe it is Amy (M_I_C_K_E_Y) that's said she felt less time was better on transfer instructions for heat but don't quote me.

WHAT A HUGE MISTAKE! The color of the t-shirt came through all the white places and a few other colors too! Plus, the colors lost their vibrancy (I used dark transfers on dark t's)!!
From everything I've read on this board, dark transfers HOLD color vibrancy much better than light transfers. (And that was my personal experience but again, I only used HP and Avery transfers.)

I'm so afraid to wash the t-shirts, but it has to be done...do you think it was the transfer medium?
Could've been. Why not wash 1 and see what happens? Perhaps wash it on the shortest cycle you can muster - or even by hand in woolite? You could also "try" to spray scotchgard on them before washing; I've read folks doing that as well before wearing them. I just can't attest to its effectiveness.

I'll have to try HP next time!

I love the HP darks; however, others are fond of Avery and Amy sells a dark transfer that she says is simply the best so there are good ones out there for sure!

and no, unfortunately, my "20 steps" thread is NOT a "sticky".

(sorry for the caps; not meant to be shouting.)

Good luck and hopefully I've given you some food for thought.
Let us know what you decide to do and how it turns out.

 

[Dcanoli]

Thanks! I will definitely try Avery or HP brands next time!!

I'll also have to look into Amy's stuff.

Do you have the link to your 20 steps and Amy's site?

Deb

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I just wanted to add our experience. I used HP and Avery transfers and made 26 shirts plus 2 nightshirts for DS and I. I think 10 of those were HP white tranfers, the rest dark, mostly HP some Avery. For some reason we had one design shred off the shirt while at the Parks. The same design shredded on both of our shirts. Weird for sure. One other design had just a bit of the red ink appear to 'smear' when they got wet. These were all the HP white transfers.

I did not wash the shirts in vinegar before we wore them. We have been home for a few weeks and all shirts were washed upon our return. They all looked great after the wash and a low heat dry. A few have been washed several times including my nightshirt that I have worn just about every night. It has been washed at least 5 times with no sign of wear on the designs. Colors are still just as vibrant as the day I ironed the designs on.

I did follow the directions as far as length of ironing time. Something is telling me a minute and a half to two minutes but I don't remember for shirts.

Not sure it matters but all of our shirts were Gildan brand from Jiffy Shirts.

 

[Dcanoli]

I just wanted to add our experience. I used HP and Avery transfers and made 26 shirts plus 2 nightshirts for DS and I. I think 10 of those were HP white tranfers, the rest dark, mostly HP some Avery. For some reason we had one design shred off the shirt while at the Parks. The same design shredded on both of our shirts. Weird for sure. One other design had just a bit of the red ink appear to 'smear' when they got wet. These were all the HP white transfers.

I did not wash the shirts in vinegar before we wore them. We have been home for a few weeks and all shirts were washed upon our return. They all looked great after the wash and a low heat dry. A few have been washed several times including my nightshirt that I have worn just about every night. It has been washed at least 5 times with no sign of wear on the designs. Colors are still just as vibrant as the day I ironed the designs on.

I did follow the directions as far as length of ironing time. Something is telling me a minute and a half to two minutes but I don't remember for shirts.

Not sure it matters but all of our shirts were Gildan brand from Jiffy Shirts.

I ordered with Jiffy Shirts, based on these boards recommendations. Twice I had to return the shirts...I tried to order white ones, so the transfers would be easier. However, with both orders, the shirts came, and they were paper thin, and they were name brands! Yikes!

I finally went to Hobby Lobby, where they were on sale for $1.50, and I was able to get thicker shirts and colors for much less than Jiffy Shirts. Just lucked out, that's all.

....I am in the midst of washing one of the shirts now, so I'll see how it comes out.

But, as for next year--I will definitely be buying Avery or HP transfers since that's what you girls used and have had good luck with them.

Thanks for post! I will definitely keep everything you said in mind!

 

[Tracie]

I just made some tees with the transfers from Amy, and boy they are really nice. I have used HP in the past and not had huge problems the shirts I made last year are just now starting to crack. I always wash and dry them inside out. I have not washed the transfers from Amy yet, but she has said she has had no issues with these transfers.

Tracie

 

[Dcanoli]

The one shirt I washed last night came out fine--that said, I think the transfer on that shirt was one of the new ones I bought from Hobby Lobby...

It must be the transfers I got off Ebay...

I'll try HP, Avery, or Amy's next time for sure!

364 days and counting until the next trip!!!

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

I ordered the HP brand transfer because I could not pass up the price but it was the HP brand that you have to adjust the ironing time. When I used them, the color of the shirt bled through the transfer in all the white areas of the design. It did this on a red shirt, blue shirt and green shirt - so it doesn't matter the color. I decided that you only need to iron for about half the time they list or less.

The transfers themselves wash very well (no shredding) but I didn't like guessing on the time it took to iron them without the 'bleed'. I had ruined too many shirts (in my opinion) but I am also a perfectionist, so even the slightest bleed does not make me happy.

If you'd like to try mine - the link to my webpage is below.

 

[tyniknate]

My transfers from AC Moore shredded after just one wash. Followed the directions perfectly for both ironing and for washing. What a huge waste of money. Good thing I didn't wash until after we wore them for our trip or I would have been really mad

 

[Dcanoli]

I ordered the HP brand transfer because I could not pass up the price but it was the HP brand that you have to adjust the ironing time. When I used them, the color of the shirt bled through the transfer in all the white areas of the design. It did this on a red shirt, blue shirt and green shirt - so it doesn't matter the color. I decided that you only need to iron for about half the time they list or less.

The transfers themselves wash very well (no shredding) but I didn't like guessing on the time it took to iron them without the 'bleed'. I had ruined too many shirts (in my opinion) but I am also a perfectionist, so even the slightest bleed does not make me happy.

If you'd like to try mine - the link to my webpage is below.

Thanks Amy! I definitely will try yours next go round. I've wash six of our shirts, and so far, they've come out fine. I don't know why my two AK shirts peeled and ran when the boys got them wet.

I'm like you, though. I am a perfectionist, and I don't like having to worry about the color of the shirts bleeding through....so I will definitely have to watch that next time!

 

[heartbeeps]

Thanks! I will definitely try Avery or HP brands next time!!

I'll also have to look into Amy's stuff.

Do you have the link to your 20 steps and Amy's site?

Deb

the link is posted above your post asking this question (where I write "no unfortunately... just click on the underscored link)

 

[heartbeeps]

I just wanted to add our experience. I used HP and Avery transfers and made 26 shirts plus 2 nightshirts for DS and I. I think 10 of those were HP white tranfers, the rest dark, mostly HP some Avery. For some reason we had one design shred off the shirt while at the Parks. The same design shredded on both of our shirts. Weird for sure. One other design had just a bit of the red ink appear to 'smear' when they got wet. These were all the HP white transfers.

I did not wash the shirts in vinegar before we wore them. We have been home for a few weeks and all shirts were washed upon our return. They all looked great after the wash and a low heat dry. A few have been washed several times including my nightshirt that I have worn just about every night. It has been washed at least 5 times with no sign of wear on the designs. Colors are still just as vibrant as the day I ironed the designs on.

I did follow the directions as far as length of ironing time. Something is telling me a minute and a half to two minutes but I don't remember for shirts.

Not sure it matters but all of our shirts were Gildan brand from Jiffy Shirts.

For the most part I used HP DARK transfers. Used Avery light transfers and HATED them (but not sure I can articulate why). Colors are as vibrant on mine since day 1 as well. I did iron one or two tees too long and the red bled through.

I bought Gildan brand from Jiffy shirts which had pin holes in them; I preferred the quality from shirtsupplier much more.

 

[Dcanoli]

Well, here's an update on my shirts....would you believe that the transfers I got off Ebay held up in the wash?

The ones that got wet and peeled and the ink ran & faded are the last ones I did, which means they are the ones done with transfer paper I just bought at Hobby Lobby!!!

UGH! I don't believe it! I made a MNSSHP shirt for me that I loved, and since I was sure it was the other transfer paper that was peeling, I went ahead and washed it--guess what? It is now all peeled off along the top, cracked, and the ink is coming off!

DANG!

Sounds like Amy's paper or HP is the way to go next time!!!

Do they sell in large quantities? These 5-packs are a joke....who does only 5 items?

 

[Dcanoli]

One other quick question while I'm thinking about it--once the transfers do start coming off the shirts, is there any way to peel them completely off so you don't lose the actual SHIRT?

I'd like to get the transfer off and reuse the shirt for a new design.

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

Sounds like Amy's paper or HP is the way to go next time!!!

Do they sell in large quantities? These 5-packs are a joke....who does only 5 items?

I sell mine in 5, 10 or 20 packs. If you need more than that, let me know.

One other quick question while I'm thinking about it--once the transfers do start coming off the shirts, is there any way to peel them completely off so you don't lose the actual SHIRT?

I'd like to get the transfer off and reuse the shirt for a new design.

I do not believe that there is any way to salvage a shirt that the transfer is already peeling. I have heard of others putting a transfer over another transfer but that was with a new (smooth) transfer underneath. Your best bet would be to just buy another tshirt and start from scratch.