Understanding Fabric Care Icons

How to Read Care Labels for Custom-Printed Fabrics

Unlike your clothing, most custom-printed table covers and fabric display graphics do not come with standard care instructions. However, since our graphics are printed on 100% premium polyester fabric, using ubiquitous care instructions makes cleaning your custom fabric graphic products as easy as doing your laundry.  The graphic below shows a list of commonly recognized care icons that indicate various fabric cleaning methods.  We have highlighted the icons we suggest for cleaning your dye sublimation printed graphics and displays.  This guide will help you quickly identify the symbols in the attached image and understand how to care for your custom-printed fabric graphics. Proper maintenance keeps your presentations looking their best, extends the life of your graphics, and ensures they are always ready for use.

1. Washing Symbols

These icons indicate how to wash your fabrics:

• Hand Wash Normal: A hand inside a washtub. Wash gently by hand.
• Machine Wash, Normal: A plain washtub symbol. Safe for a standard machine cycle.
• Machine Wash, Permanent Press: A washtub with a line underneath indicates a gentler spin and reduced wrinkles.
• Machine Wash, Gentle: A washtub with two lines underneath. Use the mildest cycle to protect custom printed fabric, embellishments, and fasteners.
• Do Not Wash: A washtub with an “X” over it. Avoid machine or hand washing.
• Wash at or below 95°C / 30°C / 40°C / 50°C / 60°C / 70°C: A washtub with a temperature or dots. Follow the indicated maximum temperature. Fewer dots often mean cooler water.
• Do Not Wring: A twisted symbol with an “X.” Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric to prevent damage.

2. Bleach Symbols

These tell you if bleach is permissible:

• Bleach: A triangle with no marking. You can use any bleach if needed.
• Do Not Bleach: A triangle with an “X.” Bleach is not allowed.
• Non-Chlorine Bleach: A triangle with two diagonal lines. Use only non-chlorine or oxygen-based bleaches.
• Chlorine Bleach: A triangle with “CL.” You may use chlorine bleach, but follow specific guidelines for temperature and duration.

3. Drying Symbols

These icons dictate the best way to dry your fabrics:

• Tumble Dry, Normal: A square with a circle inside. Normal dryer settings are fine.
• Tumble Dry, Low/Medium/High Temp: One, two, or three dots inside the circle. The more dots, the higher the heat.
• Tumble Dry, No Heat: A circle within a square with “No Heat” or an empty circle indicates air-only or no-heat settings.
• Do Not Tumble Dry: A square with a circle crossed out. Air dry instead.
• Line Dry / Shade Dry / Line Dry in Shade: A line under a curved top or in a square means hang the graphic to dry and consider shade to protect colors.
• Drip Dry / Drip Dry in Shade: This method involves multiple vertical lines inside a square. The fabric is then hung and allowed to drip off naturally.
• Dry Flat / Dry Flat in Shade: A horizontal line inside the square. Lay the graphic flat on a surface, sometimes in the shade, to help maintain shape.
• Natural Dry: A blank square typically means drying in the open air.
• Do Not Dry: A square with an “X.” Avoid any form of mechanical or natural drying (usually a specialty instruction).

4. Ironing Symbols

Ironing instructions are crucial for maintaining print quality:

• Iron: A basic iron shape. You may iron at a standard setting.
• Iron, Low/Medium/High Temp: One, two, or three dots on the iron. The more dots, the higher the heat allowed.
• Do Not Iron: An iron crossed out. High heat can damage the design or fabric.
• Steam / Do Not Steam: Some irons show steam lines. If crossed out, skip steaming to avoid print distortion.

5. Dry Cleaning & Wet Cleaning Symbols

Professional cleaning recommendations:

• Wet Clean / Wet Clean Delicate / Very Delicate: “W” inside a circle, sometimes with lines or text, indicates professional wet cleaning with specific gentleness.
• Dry Clean: A plain circle or circle with letters (“A,” “P,” “F”) that suggest which solvents are safe.
• Dry Clean, Any Solvent: A circle with “A.” You can use any solvent.
• Dry Clean, Petroleum Only: A circle with “F.” Solvent must be petroleum-based.
• Dry Clean, Any Solvent Except Trichloroethylene: A circle with “P.” indicated to avoid trichloroethylene.
• Delicate / Very Delicate / Short Cycle / No Steam / Low Heat / Reduced Moisture: Additional instructions under the main letter. These specify how carefully or under what conditions the cleaner must handle the fabric.
• Do Not Dry Clean: A circle with an “X.” Avoid all professional solvent cleaning.
• Do Not Wet Clean: A “W” inside a circle with an “X.” Skip professional wet cleaning.

Folding and Storing Custom-Printed Fabric Graphics

• Follow Existing Seams: Fold the graphics along seams or where they naturally bend or drape.
• Roll When Possible: Roll flat pieces to avoid creasing. This method is best for maintaining a smooth printed surface.
• Combination Method: If you can’t roll immediately, fold a few times and then roll to reduce visible wrinkles.
• Cool, Dry Storage: Keep in a clean area away from direct sunlight or extreme heat.

Understanding these icons will help you efficiently maintain your custom-printed polyester items. Proper washing, drying, and handling will ensure your graphics remain vibrant and professional, maximizing their longevity and keeping your presentations on point.