What type of printing technology and ink do you use?

We utilize state-of-the-art Kornit waterless digital printers and eco-friendly inks. This process injects sharp, long-lasting designs directly into the fabric, delivering a retail-quality look and ultra-soft feel without the heavy, plasticky texture of traditional screen printing.

Can I buy your shirts on other online shopping sites?

No. Our unique designs are sold exclusively right here on our independent website. You will not find genuine Ham & Tees products on mass shopping sites like Amazon or Etsy.

A Man and His Couch: A Love Story With Crumbs

Quick Summary (TL;DR): To keep premium graphic tees looking new, wash them inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, and always line dry or tumble dry on low heat. Avoid liquid fabric softeners and hot irons directly on the design. Using these methods prevents state-of-the-art digital prints from cracking and keeps 100% combed ring-spun cotton from shrinking.

Graphic t-shirts are a staple of a modern wardrobe, but not all graphic tees are made the same way. Premium tees require specific care to protect both the high-grade fabric fibers and the specialized ink designs bonded to them.

How does combed ring-spun cotton react to standard washing?

Combed ring-spun cotton shrinks less and resists fraying far better than standard cotton when washed in cool temperatures.

Standard cotton contains short, uneven fibers that easily twist, break, and shrink when exposed to high heat and aggressive washing machine agitation. In contrast, combed ring-spun cotton undergoes a refining process that spins out the short fibers, leaving only long, straight, ultra-soft strands tightly twisted together.

Because the yarns are tightly spun, they are highly durable. However, they are still natural plant fibers. Exposing them to hot water opens the microscopic structures of the cotton, causing the fibers to relax and shorten, which leads to garment shrinkage. Keeping the water temperature low prevents this structural contraction.

What is the best washing machine cycle for digital t-shirt prints?

The best washing machine settings for digitally printed t-shirts are a cold water temperature setting combined with a gentle or delicate spin cycle.

Modern graphic tees often utilize state-of-the-art digital printing methods. This process uses waterless, water-based inks that penetrate deep into the cotton fibers rather than sitting as a heavy plastic layer on top of the fabric. To protect this precise ink bond, minimize friction inside the machine.

Premium Tee Wash Settings Guide

Parameter Optimal Setting Why It Matters Water Temperature Cold (Below 85°F / 30°C) Prevents cotton fiber shrinkage and protects ink bonds. Cycle Type Gentle / Delicate Reduces friction against other garments to prevent design peeling. Detergent Type Mild Liquid Detergent Avoids harsh chemical stripping of the digital print colors. Garment Orientation Turned Inside Out Creates a fabric barrier that shields the graphic from the drum.

Why should you never use fabric softener on graphic tees?

Liquid fabric softeners leave a microscopic chemical film over the fabric that degrades digital printing inks and traps odors.

Fabric softeners work by coating fabric fibers with a thin layer of lubricating chemicals (usually quaternary ammonium compounds). While this makes standard fabrics feel temporarily slicker, it acts as a solvent against premium digital inks over time, causing the design to fade or turn dull.

Furthermore, this chemical coating locks onto the tight weaves of ring-spun cotton, trapping body oils and sweat underneath a waterproof barrier. This makes it harder for water and detergent to thoroughly clean the shirt in subsequent washes, eventually causing a persistent musty smell.

Should you air dry or tumble dry premium graphic shirts?

Air drying on a flat surface or a drying rack is the absolute best way to preserve a graphic tee, though a low-heat tumble cycle is a safe alternative.

The high heat inside a standard commercial dryer is the number one enemy of graphic apparel. High temperatures dry out the inks, making them brittle and prone to micro-cracking.

If you must use a mechanical dryer, adjust your settings manually:

The Safe Method: Select the Low Heat or Air Fluff setting and remove the shirt while it is still slightly damp (around 90% dry), allowing it to finish drying naturally on a hanger.
The Golden Rule: Never iron directly over a digital graphic. The direct contact with a 300°F+ iron plate will instantly melt or liquefy the ink binders, ruining both the shirt and your iron. If you need to remove wrinkles, turn the shirt inside out and iron on low heat through the back of the fabric, or use a garment steamer.

Graphic Tee Care FAQs

1. How do I stop my t-shirt collar from stretching out?

To prevent a stretched or “bacon” collar, never pull a shirt roughly over your head, and always insert clothing hangers from the bottom of the shirt upward rather than stretching the neck opening downward. Washing the shirt in a mesh laundry bag also prevents the collar from getting wrapped around the machine’s central agitator.

2. Can you wash graphic tees with jeans and jackets?

No, you should avoid washing lightweight premium tees with heavy, coarse fabrics like denim jeans, zippers, or heavy metal buttons. The rough texture of denim acts like sandpaper against digital prints during the spin cycle, while open zippers can snag and create tiny holes in ring-spun cotton.

3. How do I remove a stain without ruining the print?

Dab the stain gently from the inside of the shirt out using a mild dish soap or a specialized oxygen-based stain remover. Never scrub the graphic directly with a stiff brush or use chlorine bleach, as bleach permanently strips the colored pigment out of both the cotton fibers and the printing ink.