How to Care for Your Hand-Printed Apparel (So It Lasts for Years)

Handmade things deserve a little extra love

One of my favorite things about block printing is that every piece is slightly unique.

All of my shirts, tote bags, hats, and prints have tiny variations that come from being printed by hand instead of mass-produced by a machine. That’s part of the fun in it.

But because they’re handmade, they also deserve a little extra care. And lucky for you, it’s super easy.

Quick Care Overview

If you’re in a hurry, here’s the short version:

• Wash cold

• Turn apparel inside out

• Avoid high heat

• Air dry when possible

• Be gentle with hats and bags

I print using Speedball fabric and block printing inks, which are designed to hold up beautifully over time when properly cared for.

👉 The fabric ink I use for most of my prints

Wash cold, always

Cold water is your best friend.

Hot water can be rough on printed fabric over time, especially with bold designs and layered ink.

I always recommend:

• Cold water

• Gentle cycle

• Mild detergent

Turn your shirts inside out

This is probably the BIGGEST thing you can do to protect the print.

Turning shirts inside out helps reduce:

• Friction

• Fading

• Cracking over time

Especially for darker shirts with lighter prints (my favorite combo everrrr).

👉 Check out some hand printed apparel in my shop

Avoid high heat

High dryer heat is basically the enemy of printed apparel 😅

If possible:

• Air dry
  OR

• Tumble dry low

The lower the heat, the longer your print stays crisp and vibrant.

How I Care for My Hand-Printed Baseball Caps

Okay THIS is the thing people ask me about constantly.

Yes, you can wash hats.

You just want to protect their shape.

I recommend using one of those hat washing holders/cages for the washer because they help keep the brim from getting weird.

👉 Here are a few I’ve tried from Amazon

For hats:

• Spot clean when possible

• Wash cold

• Avoid super high heat

• Let them air dry

Caring for Tote Bags & Fabric Accessories

For tote bags and fabric accessories, I usually recommend:

• Gentle wash

• Cold water

• Air drying flat if possible

Canvas bags especially can shrink a little with heat, so cooler is better.

And honestly? The slightly worn-in look over time kind of adds character.

Why I Use Speedball Inks

I use Speedball block printing and fabric inks because they’re durable, flexible, and designed for hand-printing on fabric.

👉 [LINK: Speedball Fabric Block Printing Ink (Amazon Affiliate)]

One of the things I love most is that the prints still feel handmade while holding up to real-life wear.

Because art should actually be usable.

Not just looked at.

Handmade Means Every Piece Has a Story

At the end of the day, these pieces started as:

• A carved block

• A layer of ink

• A hand-pulled print

• Usually inspired by something I found outside in Michigan

And I want them to stay part of your everyday life for a long time.

So whether it’s:

• Your favorite rockhounding shirt

• A tote bag you throw in the car every day

• Or a hat that smells faintly like sunscreen and Lake Michigan summers…

A little extra care goes a long way 💛

• Does the ink wash off?

  Nope! Once properly cured, the ink is permanent on fabric. I use fabric inks specifically designed for block printing apparel.

• How long should I wait before washing?

  I recommend waiting about 7 days after printing before the first wash to allow the ink to fully cure.

  I allow all of the apparel 7 days to cure before ever leaving the studio.

• Can I iron over the design?

  I wouldn’t recommend ironing directly on the print. If needed, turn the garment inside out first.

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