How to Care for Your Custom Gear

Custom gear should last. Here's how to keep engraved drinkware, embroidery, and DTF prints looking the way they did on day one.

Laser-engraved tumblers and drinkware

Hand wash with warm water and mild soap — skip the dishwasher, which can damage the powder coat and insulation over time. Don't microwave or freeze insulated drinkware, and avoid abrasive scrubbers on the engraved area. The engraving itself is cut into the coating, so it won't peel or fade; protect the coat around it and the piece stays sharp for years.

Embroidered caps and apparel

Turn garments inside out and wash cold on a gentle cycle. Skip bleach — it's hard on thread. Hang dry or tumble low, and if you iron, iron around the embroidery or press from the reverse side with a cloth over it. For structured caps, spot-clean with mild soap and water instead of machine washing so the cap keeps its shape.

DTF-printed apparel

Same idea: inside out, cold wash, gentle cycle, no bleach. Hang dry when you can — high dryer heat is the main thing that shortens a print's life. Never iron directly on the print.

Garment-dyed pieces

Comfort Colors and other garment-dyed items have that lived-in look because each piece is dyed after it's sewn. Wash them cold with like colors, especially the first few washes.

Blankets and keepsake pieces

Wash cold and gentle, dry low. If your keepsake piece includes original fabric with sentimental value, we'll give you care guidance specific to that piece when we deliver it — just ask.

Questions about a specific item? Email hightidecustomdesigns@gmail.com and we'll tell you exactly how to care for it.