The secret to a printed sweatshirt that still looks good after a whole season of wear is simple: turn it inside out, wash it cold on a gentle cycle and keep high heat away from the print. That's it. Below is the step-by-step routine we recommend for every design in our sweatshirt collection, plus how to dry it, what to avoid and how to care for tees and hoodies too.
Quick answer
- Turn it inside out before it goes in the machine (full steps).
- Cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent, similar colors.
- No bleach, no fabric softener, no dry cleaning.
- Dry on low or lay it flat, and never iron directly on the print (drying tips).
- Light pastel design? Wash it with other lights, like the Coquette Bow Family Name Sweatshirt.
Why printed sweatshirts need a little extra care
A printed design sits on the surface of the fabric, so the two things that wear it down fastest are heat and friction. Our crewneck sweatshirts are a 50/50 cotton-poly fleece, which is soft and warm but can pill or fade if it's washed hot and tumbled hard. A few small habits make a real difference:
- The print stays crisp longer. Washing inside out means the design rubs against the drum and other clothes far less.
- The fit stays the same. Cotton shrinks with heat, so cold washing and low drying help the sweatshirt keep the size you ordered.
- The fleece stays soft. Gentle cycles and no softener build-up keep the inside cozy and the outside smooth.
How to wash a printed sweatshirt, step by step
- Wait until it needs a wash. Sweatshirts don't need washing after every wear. If it isn't stained or smelly, air it out and wear it again.
- Turn it inside out. This is the single most helpful step for any graphic, name or zodiac design.
- Sort by color. Wash lights (white, light pink, sand) with lights and darks (black, charcoal, navy, maroon) with darks, especially the first few times.
- Skip the towels. Towels and fuzzy blankets shed lint that sticks to fleece. Wash sweatshirts with tees, jeans or other sweatshirts instead.
- Choose cold water and a gentle or delicate cycle. Don't overload the machine, so clothes can move freely without grinding against the print.
- Use a mild detergent. Liquid detergent dissolves easily in cold water. Avoid bleach (including on white shirts) and skip fabric softener, which can coat the fibers and the print.
- Treat spots gently. Dab a stain with a little detergent and cold water before washing. Don't scrub hard on the printed area.
How to dry it without damaging the print
- Best: lay it flat on a drying rack or a clean towel and reshape it while it's damp. Hanging a heavy, wet sweatshirt can stretch the shoulders.
- Also fine: tumble dry on low or delicate, still inside out, and take it out while it's barely damp.
- Avoid: high heat, long hot cycles and drying in strong direct sun for hours, which can fade colors.
- Wrinkles? Never iron directly on the design. If you must, keep it inside out, use low heat and press only the back of the fabric, or use a cloth between the iron and the shirt.
6 personalized sweatshirts worth taking care of
Here's how the routine applies to a few of our favorite designs. Each one comes as a crewneck sweatshirt, tee or hoodie in unisex sizes S to 3XL, in a long list of colors.
1. Coquette Bow Family Name Sweatshirt
Pastel patchwork lettering with floral, gingham and striped fills, finished with a pink coquette bow. Choose a family title like Mama, Mom, Auntie, Gigi, Grandma, Mimi, Abuela or Lola, or pick Custom and type your own text.
Care tip: soft pastels look best on light colors like Light Pink, White or Sand, so wash it with other lights in cold water to keep the background bright.
Personalize the Coquette Bow sweatshirt → Sweatshirt from $15.99 · Tee from $10.99
2. Charcoal Leopard Bow Nickname Sweatshirt
A charcoal leopard bow design in warm fall tones with her favorite family name: Gigi, Mama, Mimi, Nana or Honey. Easy to wear for everyday errands, visits and family photos.
Care tip: on darker colors like Dark Heather or Black, lint shows quickly. Wash it inside out with other darks and keep it away from towels.
Personalize the Leopard Bow sweatshirt → Sweatshirt from $15.99 · Tee from $10.99
3. Arched Leopard Varsity State Sweatshirt
Arched varsity letters filled with leopard print spell out any US state you choose. A cozy way to wear hometown pride, or a thoughtful gift for someone far from home.
Care tip: big block letters cover a lot of the chest, so this is the one to keep away from the iron. Lay it flat to dry and the wrinkles mostly fall out on their own.
Personalize the Leopard Varsity State sweatshirt → Sweatshirt from $15.99 · Tee from $10.99
4. College EST Zodiac Sweatshirt
A vintage college look with her star sign and an optional birth year printed as "EST. YEAR". Choose any of the 12 signs, or leave the year blank for a cleaner design.
Care tip: the fine EST line and small details last longest with a gentle cycle and a machine that isn't packed full.
Personalize the College EST Zodiac sweatshirt → Sweatshirt from $15.99 · Tee from $10.99
5. Leopard Print Family Name Sweatshirt
Leopard print varsity-style lettering with the nickname she loves most, from Mom and Grandma to Nana, Gigi, Mimi or a custom name. A warm everyday gift that gets worn on repeat.
Care tip: the sweatshirts people wear most are the ones that get washed most. Air it out between wears and only wash it when it needs it.
Personalize the Leopard Family Name sweatshirt → Sweatshirt from $15.99 · Tee from $10.99
6. Leopard Zodiac Sign Hoodie
Bold leopard print astrology lettering for her sign, on a pullover hoodie with a front pouch (also available as a crewneck or tee). A fun pick for birthdays and zodiac season.
Care tip: empty the front pouch before washing, then treat it exactly like a sweatshirt: inside out, cold and gentle.
Personalize the Leopard Zodiac hoodie → Hoodie from $17.99 · Tee from $10.99
Common mistakes that wear out a print
- Hot water "to get it really clean." Cold water and a good detergent handle everyday wear.
- Washing it right side out with zippers, jeans buttons and hooks that scrape the design.
- Bleach on a white shirt. It can discolor the print and weaken the fabric.
- A long, hot dryer cycle. This is the biggest cause of shrinking and faded colors.
- Ironing over the design. Direct heat can damage the design.
Sweatshirt, tee or hoodie? Care and prices
Every design comes in three styles. Starting prices are for sizes S–XL:
| Style | Fabric | From | Care note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crewneck sweatshirt | 50/50 cotton-poly fleece | $15.99 | Inside out, cold, gentle; lay flat or tumble low. |
| Hoodie | 50/50 cotton-poly fleece | $17.99 | Same as a sweatshirt; empty the pouch first. |
| T-shirt | 100% cotton | $10.99 | Cotton shrinks most with heat, so cold wash and low dry matter even more. |
Picking the right size (so you don't rely on the dryer)
- All our shirts are unisex. Order your usual size for a classic fit, or one size up for a relaxed, cozy look.
- Compare a sweatshirt you already love with the measurements in our Size Guide.
- Sizes run from S to 3XL. Washing cold and drying low helps it keep that fit.
Ordering one as a gift?
Each sweatshirt is printed to order in the USA. Printing takes 1–2 business days, then delivery takes 3–10 business days; most orders arrive within 4–12 business days. For Christmas, to be safe, order by the end of November. Orders of $99 or more ship free. Tucking a little "wash cold, inside out" note into the gift box is a sweet touch, too.
FAQ
How often should I wash a sweatshirt?
Only when it needs it. A sweatshirt worn over another top can usually go several wears between washes. Air it out on a hanger overnight in between.
Can I use fabric softener?
We recommend skipping it. Softener leaves a coating on the fibers and the print. Fleece stays soft on its own when it's washed cold and dried low.
Should I wash it before wearing it the first time?
It's up to you. If you do, follow the same routine: inside out, cold water, gentle cycle and a low or flat dry.
What if my print arrives damaged?
If your item arrives damaged, misprinted or different from what you ordered, email us a photo within 30 days of delivery and we'll send a free replacement or refund. See our FAQ for details.
Related guides: How to Style a Leopard Print Sweatshirt · Cozy Fall Outfit Ideas with Graphic Sweatshirts
A little care keeps her name looking sharp all season.
