Colour changing after wash of shirt

[Tablo]

I’ve had a couple designs(albeit not perfect pressed) have issues in being washed in one home machine but the same designs have had no issues when they were washed on another machine. What are the factors that causes colour fading especially from a single wash in certain washing machines. Is the quality of the pressing? The quality of the printer used or the water usage or temperature setting. Lost as I don’t know why my prototype designs are faring badly against this particular washing machine yet decent against another.

[pisquee]

Are the shirts 100% polyester?

[Fletcher]

Hi, Im guessing your using sublimation?
So a few things can cause colour to fade after a wash.

Have you used sublimation ink to start with?

Sublimation works best on white 100% polyester clothing. Using other colours or not 100% clothing means the colours wont hold well, and can fade.
Hot washing can cause colours to fade. Tho most people have an eco 30 or 40 degree wash on the machines many still wash hot.

[logobear]

Tablo,
you need to tell us a lot more about your setup
Printer
ink set
paper/media
garment - type, colour fabric
temperature & time of pressing

We have all been along the learning curve......

[Tablo]

Hi, Im guessing your using sublimation?
So a few things can cause colour to fade after a wash.

Have you used sublimation ink to start with?

Sublimation works best on white 100% polyester clothing. Using other colours or not 100% clothing means the colours wont hold well, and can fade.
Hot washing can cause colours to fade. Tho most people have an eco 30 or 40 degree wash on the machines many still wash hot.

My system was pressing printed StarCraft heat transfer vinyl with an admins beta maxi heat press. I dont think that counts as sublimination. Material was 100 percent cotton.

[Tablo]

Are the shirts 100% polyester?

100% cotton

[Tablo]

Tablo,
you need to tell us a lot more about your setup
Printer
ink set
paper/media
garment - type, colour fabric
temperature & time of pressing

We have all been along the learning curve......

Printer was an hp ink desk canon not sure on the model off the top of my head I’ll add to this after I can confirm. The printing material was StarCraft heat transfer vinyl. Garment was white 100 percent cotton at 200gsm.Pressed at around 375 degrees. Tim’s if pressing was August I think . Middle of august.

[Tablo]

Printer was an hp ink desk canon not sure on the model off the top of my head I’ll add to this after I can confirm. The printing material was StarCraft heat transfer vinyl. Garment was white 100 percent cotton at 200gsm.Pressed at around 375 degrees. Tim’s if pressing was August I think . Middle of august.

Printer was hp envy 6234 actually.

[pw66]

So you were using inkjet printable transfer vinyl?
Inkjet transfers never last as long as some other methods. There is usually some fade after the first wash. They are ok for short term use.

There are several probable reasons.
- most inkjet vinyls work best with pigment based ink, not dye based ink. Dye ink is more susceptible to washing out (don't confuse 'dye' ink with 'dye sublimation' ink)
- it is best to let the transfer dry fully (preferably overnight) before pressing
- most inkjet vinyls recommend that you don't wash for 24 hours after pressing
- inkjet transfers are very susceptible to washing temperature. Cool, fast and inside out is best.

[Tablo]

So you were using inkjet printable transfer vinyl?
Inkjet transfers never last as long as some other methods. There is usually some fade after the first wash. They are ok for short term use.

There are several probable reasons.
- most inkjet vinyls work best with pigment based ink, not dye based ink. Dye ink is more susceptible to washing out (don't confuse 'dye' ink with 'dye sublimation' ink)
- it is best to let the transfer dry fully (preferably overnight) before pressing
- most inkjet vinyls recommend that you don't wash for 24 hours after pressing
- inkjet transfers are very susceptible to washing temperature. Cool, fast and inside out is best.

These are some good suggestions however what longer term methods would u recommend in place of inkjet transfer vinyl. The last point about only washing in one temperature seems the hardest to control if day I was to give someone a shirt. Whereas the others seem doable from my end.