Start with the care instructions for your chosen material. Woven cotton, knitted fabrics and faux leather may need different care — one washing temperature will not suit the entire range.
What should you check before the first wash?
Check whether the material can be washed, the permitted temperature, and whether bleach, a tumble dryer and an iron can be used. Also check which side to iron and the appropriate ironing temperature.
Use the information for the specific product. If it is missing, ask Printella before washing or preparing care instructions for your finished item. Do not automatically apply one fabric’s recommendations to another.
What affects print durability?
Temperature, detergents, friction and drying methods affect fabric wear and the appearance of the print. Following the care instructions reduces the risk of premature changes.
There is no single number of washes after which every print will retain a particular appearance. The specific fabric and conditions of use matter.
Are you sewing a larger batch?
Test a sample using your intended care routine. After washing and drying, check the appearance of the print and the fabric’s dimensions before making the entire batch.
See also how to order a fabric sample.
How do you care for each material?
The recommendations come from the material data sheets. We group materials only where their sheets say exactly the same thing — wash materials from different groups separately, following their own guidance.
Knit fabrics
French Terry 300 g/m² · Cotton Jersey 170 g/m² · French Terry 250 g/m² · Cotton Single Jersey with Elastane 220 g/m²
| Step | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Washing | Delicate cycle, up to 40°C (30°C recommended) |
| Detergent | Mild detergent, no bleach |
| Before washing | Turn inside out |
| Spinning | Do not spin hard or wring out |
| Drying | Flat, in the air; not in a tumble dryer |
| Ironing | Inside out, at a low temperature, keeping the iron off the print |
Polyester fabrics
Waterproof Polyester Oxford 260 g/m² · Softshell 340 g/m²
| Step | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Washing | Delicate cycle, up to 40°C (30°C recommended) |
| Detergent | Mild detergent; no bleach or fabric softener |
| Before washing | Turn inside out |
| Spinning | Without heavy spinning |
| Drying | Air-dry, flat or on a hanger; not in a tumble dryer |
| Ironing | Do not iron unless the material data sheet allows a low temperature |
Faux leather
New York Faux Leather — Matte · Madrid Faux Leather — Glossy
| Step | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | A soft, slightly damp cloth; a mild pH-neutral cleaner if needed |
| After cleaning | Remove any residue with a damp cloth and wipe dry |
| What to avoid | Abrasives, bleach, alcohol, solvents and heavy rubbing |
| Moisture | Do not soak or leave the surface wet for long |
| Washing and ironing | Do not wash, spin, tumble dry, iron or dry-clean |
Cotton fabrics
Cotton Twill 250 g/m² · Cotton Panama 250 g/m² · Lightweight Cotton Twill 200 g/m² · Plain Weave Cotton 155 g/m² · Cotton Percale 135 g/m² · Cotton Sateen 145 g/m²
| Step | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Washing | Delicate cycle, up to 40°C (30°C recommended) |
| Detergent | Mild detergent, no bleach |
| Before washing | Turn inside out, do not overload the machine |
| Spinning | Short and gentle, without heavy rubbing |
| Drying | Air-dry, preferably in the shade; not in a tumble dryer |
| Ironing | Inside out, at a low temperature, keeping the iron off the print |
We describe the care symbols in words, because printing changes the recommendations compared with the base material alone. If a material data sheet says something different from this table, the sheet applies.
