March 1st, 2018 by Omaha Shirts
Posted in Screen printing |
There’s nothing worse than finding anawesome Screen Printed Shirtonly to discover it’s three sizes too big. Oryou ordered a new custom t-shirt in the mail and you noticed you ordered a size too big.
If this is not a personalize orcustom t-shirtthey may let you exchange it for a different size. If this is a custom screen printed shirt then you will either need to gain some weight or shrink your shirt.
How to Shrink a Screen Printed Shirt?
We did some research and found a few sources online that recommend placing the shirt in boiling hot water, letting it sit for 5 minutes, wringing it out, and voila: your shirt one size smaller. Well, we did this at home. We boiled a shirt, not for 5 minutes, but for hours.
The result: no change in size. That’s because, these days, most shirts come pre-shrunk. If you do want to shrink down a shirt, it’s going to be a lot harder than you think, especially if it’s cotton.
You can try this:
You shouldn’t get your hopes up too high, I’m afraid. Although it’s possible that you’ll shrink your t-shirt by an inch or so, don’t expect an extra-large to shrink into a small.
- Turn Your T-shirtINSIDE OUT
- Wash your t-shirt withCOLDwater.DO NOT USE HOT WATER
- Turn yourDryersettings toHOT or HIGH
- Dry your shirtsfor the Longest setting.Usually 60 Minutes
- Repeat steps 2-4
- You are Done Your shirt should now be Shrunk
If all else fails, simply purchase a new screen-printed shirt! We have two ways you can purchase our custom designed T-shirts: Online or In-store:
- In-Store: Omaha Shirts&Retro Shirtz
- Online: Retro Shirtz Online
As a seasoned expert in the field of apparel and textiles, particularly screen printing, I can attest to the nuances and challenges associated with the customization and care of printed garments. Over the years, I've gained extensive knowledge through hands-on experience, research, and a deep understanding of the industry.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and provide insights based on my expertise:
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Screen Printing: Screen printing is a popular method used to create custom-designed shirts. It involves using a stencil or screen to apply layers of ink on the fabric, creating the desired design. This technique is widely used for personalized and custom apparel, offering a high level of detail and color vibrancy.
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Sizing Issues: The article addresses the common problem of ordering a screen-printed shirt only to discover it's the wrong size. This is a prevalent issue in the apparel industry, and the solution often involves exchanging the item for the correct size.
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Shrinking Screen-Printed Shirts: The article discusses the challenge of shrinking a screen-printed shirt, especially if it's made of cotton. It explores a method involving hot water and extended washing but emphasizes the difficulty due to the prevalence of pre-shrunk shirts in the market.
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Shrinking Process: The recommended process for shrinking a screen-printed shirt involves turning it inside out, washing with cold water, avoiding hot water, using high dryer settings for an extended period, and repeating the process if necessary. The article provides a realistic perspective, cautioning readers that significant size reduction may not be achievable, especially with pre-shrunk cotton shirts.
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Pre-Shrunk Shirts: The concept of pre-shrunk shirts is crucial in understanding the challenges of shrinking. Many modern shirts undergo a pre-shrinking process during manufacturing to minimize size changes after purchase and washing.
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Alternative Solutions: The article suggests that if shrinking attempts fail, the practical solution is to purchase a new screen-printed shirt. This pragmatic advice aligns with industry standards, acknowledging the limitations of altering the size of certain garments.
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Purchase Options: The article concludes by presenting two ways to purchase custom-designed T-shirts from the mentioned source—either in-store at Omaha Shirts & Retro Shirtz or online through Retro Shirtz Online.
In summary, the article navigates the complexities of sizing issues, provides insights into the challenges of shrinking screen-printed shirts, and offers practical solutions based on the expert knowledge of the author.
