Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Additionally, I may get commissions for purchases made through other affiliate links in this post.
To prewash or not to prewash before you apply heat transfer vinyl (HTV)… that is the question.
If you are making and selling shirts or other apparel in your Silhouette or Cricut craft business, you may receive conflicting advice. I hear this is often disputed in the sewing world, too.
I say no prewashing apparel before embellishing it.
Below, I’ve listed my four reasons.
Table of Contents
4 Reasons to Not Prewash Apparel Before Applying Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
After Washing, Shirts Become Used – Not New
Shirts that have been washed feel different than shirts that haven’t been washed. Customers expect a brand new item when purchasing. Similarly, prewashing can lead to shrinking.
Most Manufacturers Don’t Recommend It
Most manufacturers note that there is no reason to prewash a shirt before applying heat transfer vinyl (HTV) to it.
The only manufacturer that recommends prewashing your garment is Cricut. And honestly, I have no idea why they have this recommendation. They elude in the screenshot below to not getting a strong adhesion if not washed. Honestly, if your heat transfer material is not sticking, you have either a temperature, time, or pressure issue.
Cricut says:
Siser says:
Customers May Have Allergies or Sensitivities
Many people are allergic or sensitive to dyes and fragrances. Even if you opt to use a fragrance free or dye free detergent, you can not guarantee your customer won’t have an allergic reaction. To prevent these issues, skip prewashing.
It’s Time Consuming
I don’t know about you, but I have enough laundry to do with 4 kids, a husband, and a few dogs. Honestly, the last thing I need is more laundry.
Pre-pressing
While I recommend you don’t prewash, I do recommend you pre-press. Pre-pressing (which means to iron or use your heat press on your blank before you apply the heat transfer vinyl design) removes wrinkles and moisture and shrinks the material.
Pre-pressing is recommended for most materials.
Tell me in the comments: Do you pre wash apparel before embellishing?
Since 2015, Christine Schinagl has been helping crafters start and run craft businesses through her blog, Cutting for Business. As a Silhouette and Cricut crafter herself, she has a unique take on what works and what doesn’t work in the craft business world. She also enjoys teaching other crafters how to create digital SVG designs, available through the Design with Me series.
K. Willsey
Tuesday 17th of May 2022
Hi! I'm so glad I found your blog post. I've never heard of a manufacturer suggesting to prewash before pressing but actually saw today where they suggested doing so and that's what led me to do my own research and I ended up on this post!
I saw where you said to share if someone has come across this so wanted to share what I found!
It's on the heat transfer warehouse's website when trying to buy Siser Easyweed.
"We highly recommend that you wash and dry your garments prior to pressing your design. This will also allow the adhesive to better penetrate the garment."
Link: https://www.heattransferwarehouse.com/siser-easyweed-12-inch/
Christine, Cutting for Business
Friday 24th of June 2022
Thanks, Kaylie - appreciate it!
Sue Fenich
Wednesday 14th of April 2021
Thank you!!! This is the first time I’ve made t-shirts for my club and I was concerned about giving people something that wouldn’t last.
Christine, Cutting for Business
Thursday 15th of April 2021
Happy to help!
Christine, Cutting for Business
Saturday 18th of May 2019
Interesting. I can't imagine why they would recommend it - when major vinyl manufacturers don't.
Kristen McClelland
Tuesday 26th of March 2019
I actually have a question related to this. I prewashed a shirt I was pressing for myself and noticed the HTV didn't go on as nicely as it does when I do it on a new shirt. Can the detergent affect the pressing?
Christine, Cutting for Business
Saturday 18th of May 2019
Absolutely. Detergents and fabric softeners/dryer sheets can affect heat transfer materials.
Rebecca
Tuesday 26th of March 2019
Christine...It was brought to my attention in a Silhouette Beginners Group that Cricut HTV does say to Pre-Wash before applying. While I know most of us who sell do use Siser Brand, there are some that use Cricut Brand HTV.
Christine, Cutting for Business
Saturday 18th of May 2019
Yes. I did see that and acknowledged it above. I reached out to Cricut for clarification and all they did was copy and paste what their website said.