Why is my T-shirt Printing Peeling or Cracking?
“Why does my printed shirt peel or crack?”
“Will they crack over time?”
Many times, having heard from our customers who enquire with us, these are some of the concerns that customers have and it has become a usual worrisome issue
What Causes the Peeling?
Such situations of peeled prints are mainly related to heat transfer printing and DTF Printing. There are many reasons behind the cause of these but it is usually one main cause – the usage of cheap vinyl film material and raw material so as to save cost.
Both heat transfer printing and DTF Printing may peel off eventually in the long run due to wear and tear. However, the durability varies a lot if lower quality grade raw materials are used. These print method uses glue and heat to bind the prints together with the fabric. Usually, lower quality grade films have weaker adhesive glue and films. As such, with more washes, the prints will start to peel off.
Different T-shirt printing methods have different uses and limitations. At times, clients may not be aware of the differences between the printing methods. By understanding which T-shirt printing method lasts the longest, clients can avoid certain print methods or tweak their designs to meet their needs or expectations of durability.
An example of Heat Transfer T-shirt printing peeling off
Quality Matters
Quality is vital and it can make a difference in durability. Poor quality vinyl films have weaker adhesive and poorer material makes it susceptible to damage such as tearing and peeling.
For DTF Printing, flaking or peeling can occur if there is no proper process. This can happen due to improper pre-treatment, wrong heat press temperature & pressure setting, poor ink quality and even low quality DTF paper.
At TJG Print, being one of the best company for T-shirt Printing in Singapore, we ensure we use high quality heat transfer films and ensure our printing processes are meticulous and efficient. DTF Printing are very sensitive print method and we are confident we bring the best prints to our clients.
Remedy for Peeling
If the prints are still intact and not completely peeled or washed off, you can use simple home tricks to remedy them:
- Iron the prints inside-out of the shirt
- Place a cloth over the prints and iron it
- Apply a mild pressure with the iron
Why Do Prints Crack?
Such situations of cracked prints are related to silkscreen printing. For vendors that use low quality silkscreen inks, the cracks of print can even be noticed after a couple of washes.
An example of Silkscreen printing with cracks after couple of washes
Example of clear and high qualtity silkscreen print
General Wash Care Tips
- Wash your t-shirt inside out
- Do not iron over print
- Avoid high-temperature water
- Do not bleach
Conclusion
Quality of prints can results in huge differences to the end result of the T-Shirts. You may not notice at first hand when you receive the T-Shirts. You may only notice the changes after some washes or prolong usage.
Often, clients weigh their decision factor on price point and may neglect the factor of high quality prints and services. As such, we highly recommend clients to do due diligence before engaging a vendor for T-shirt printing service. One of the best ways to gather these information is to check on vendor’s review, experience and years in industry. You may also request to view samples.
At TJG Print, we guarantee you a peace of mind printing with us as we use high qualtity printing material.
Contact Information
For further clarifications and enquiries, drop us a message on Whatsapp or email us at sales@tjg.sg.
FAQ’s
Can I Use Fabric Glue to Reattach Peeling Printed Transfers?
It’s not recommended to use fabric glue to fix peeling Heat Transfer prints or DTF print, as it can affect the texture and durability of the print. Instead, you can reheat the design using a heat press or household iron (on low heat with a protective sheet) to re-bond the transfer.
How to Prevent Heat Transfer Print/DTF Print Peeling After Multiple Washes?
To prevent DTF peeling, always wash garments inside out in cold water and avoid harsh detergents or bleach. Skip the dryer if possible—air drying helps preserve print quality. At TJG print, we use premium-quality DTF films and inks that ensure long-lasting adhesion, even after many washes.
Do you provide removal and reprinting service on our own shirts?
Unfortunately, TJG Print doesn’t provide removal of prints and reprinting over the current T-shirts with crack/peeling off prints. With our knowledge, having these shirts fixed will still leave stains and marking which may not be ideal.
Does Humidity or Temperature Play a Role in Peeling or Cracking Prints?
Absolutely. Both humidity and temperature can impact the performance of Heat Transfer and DTF prints. High humidity can affect ink curing, while extreme temperatures may weaken the adhesive bond. To ensure lasting quality, store printed garments in a cool, dry place and avoid prolonged heat exposure.
Does printing on different types of material affect print durability?
Yes, it may and also depends on the type of print method. For example, silkscreen printing is less durable on water-resistant material. More common materials such as cotton or polyester material, may not have much difference in print durability.