posted by Ahijoy on November 14, 2022
How To Fix Vinyl Coming Off The Shirt After Washing?
Have you ever had a shirt that you cherished so much but its vinyl design started peeling away? Well, many of us have been through the same thing. It is heartbreaking to see your own DIY heat transfer vinyl shirt or store bought shirt with a decal slowly withering away.
Sadly, this is inevitable when it comes to HTV as it is a synthetic material which is likely to disintegrate at some point. This does not mean that you cannot fix a peeling decal or try to preserve it a little longer. Let us show you how to deal with peeling decals and give you a few tricks and tips for the future.
Why Does HTV Peel Off?
There are several reasons why your vinyl decal may peel off your shirt. Here are a few common mistakes:
Cheap Vinyl:
If you want your stuff to last, you must invest in high quality materials. Buying cheaper vinyl means you compromise on quality which is why your decal is peeling off.
Improper Application Of Heat:
If you made your shirt yourself chances are you might not have read the instructions properly. Each material and type of HTV has slightly different temperature, pressure, and time requirements. If you apply heat for too long or too short a time, you might experience peeling.
Not Enough Pressure:
The same applies to pressure, if not enough pressure is applied on the vinyl design it will eventually come off. To avoid this always read the instructions specified for the HTV as well as the fabric.
Using A Steam Iron:
If you have been using a steam iron to smooth out wrinkles and creases on your shirt, chances are you have ruined it. The adhesive on HTV will get ruined by repeated exposure to heat and steam. Moisture is also a complete no no when ironing HTV shirts. If you want your designs to last, switch steam iron for a regular one.
Wrong Fabric:
HTV works best with cotton, polyester, or cotton/poly blend shirts. Other than that, it is a hit or miss. Materials like plastic, paper, acrylic and in some cases nylon and leather do not work well with HTV. Therefore, it is best to avoid them when working with HTV as it will start peeling off eventually.
Best Fabric For Heat Transfer Vinyl
Wrong Placement:
Yes, even placing the vinyl decal at the wrong position of a suitable fabric can cause peeling. If the design is placed on zippers, buttons or thick seams it is likely to not stick properly.
How To Fix Your Shirt?
On the unfortunate occasion that your shirt design has started coming off, there are ways you can salvage your garment.
Apply Heat:
Most of the time, the vinyl has not adhered to the shirt properly due to lack of ample heat. Therefore, to stop it from peeling, increase the temperature and pressure of the heat press or iron on. Lay the shirt flat and place a Teflon sheet on top. Then, apply your heat source with the adjusted instructions.
Lastly, test that the vinyl has adhered by feeling it when it cools down. If you cannot feel the edge of the vinyl, your shirt is good to go and will not peel again
Change Your Washing Methods:
Always wash your HTV designed shirts with hands using a gentle cleanser designed for decals. Moreover, wash your shirt inside out and do not use fabric softener as that is also why designs start coming off.
It is also important to dry your shirt properly after you finish washing it. This will help stop vinyl from peeling by keeping the fibers from matting together or shrinking in the dryer.
Another trick is to let the shirt dry in the sun as this will help extend the design’s life and stop it from peeling.
Removing HTV Layers:
One mistake you might have made during your initial application process is adding too many layers of HTV. Why is this wrong? Well, you might have mixed up a cold peel and a hot peel HTV design which has led to peeling. There are two options in this case: either remove one layer or remove both and add a new single layer of HTV.
Use Glue:
You can also try sticking back the HTV decal using fabric glue, which is easily available in stores. Another alternative is polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue. Simply, apply the glue to the underside of the fabric and press vinyl onto it. Applying steady pressure will lead to the best results. Once the glue has dried down you are good to go,
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Vinyl coming off your shirt is a pesky problem, but it is not unsolvable. It can be easily avoided if you take necessary precautions and pay attention to all instructions. Hopefully, this article has helped in restoring your shirt for the time being. However, no shirt lasts forever so keep that in mind.
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