Care for your custom embroidery.

Wash, dry, iron, and store decorated garments the right way to keep the stitching crisp and the colors true.

Cold wash, delicate cycle
Dry clean dark shades with care
Iron on the reverse side, between cloth

Connect with a rep View embroidery services

Stitched, not printed

Durable & long-lasting

Cold wash, gentle care

Made in Los Angeles

Why care matters

Embroidery is durable. Thoughtful care makes it last.

Custom embroidery is one of the most durable decoration methods we offer — stitched directly into the garment, not printed on top. But like all decorated apparel, embroidered pieces last longest when laundered, dried, and ironed thoughtfully. The four guides below walk through the do's and don'ts for home laundering, dry cleaning, industrial laundering, and ironing.

Stitched, not printed Long-lasting Care preserves color

DTLA Print embroidery thread spools beside a stitched embroidery sample

Step 01

Home laundering

Do
Wash with a mild detergent
Machine wash on cold, delicate cycle
Use non-chlorine bleach if needed (preferred over chlorine)
If color residue appears, rinse first in lukewarm water then cold until clear
Remove promptly after the wash cycle completes

Don't
Soak embroidered pieces or leave them sitting in water
Leave wet pieces piled together
Wring the embroidered article
Rub stained embroidery

Step 02

Dry cleaning

Do
Dry clean with extreme care
Take special care when dark shades are dry cleaned

Don't
Use pre-spotting agents

Step 03

Industrial laundering

Do
Industrial-launder garments embroidered with Super Brite™ Polyester or #7 Polyester Floss when proper procedures are followed (per the International Fabricare Institute)
Contact our team for industrial-laundering specifics before scheduling

Don't
Industrial-launder pieces stitched with non-rated threads without consulting our team first

Step 04

Ironing

Do
Iron embroidered fabrics on the reverse side
Iron between two pieces of cloth for added protection

Don't
Wet embroidery before ironing
Use a steam iron on the embroidery itself

Do

Wash cold on the delicate cycle
Use a mild detergent
Iron on the reverse side
Iron between two pieces of cloth
Remove promptly after washing

Don't

Soak or leave wet pieces sitting
Wring out embroidered articles
Use a steam iron on the embroidery
Use pre-spotting agents in dry cleaning
Rub stained embroidery

Note

Normally the care label instructions pertain to the garment, not the embroidery. Special care should be taken when laundering embroidered garments. Since the conditions of use, washing, pressing and cleaning, etc. vary in use of yarns and threads, the purchaser should assure himself by preliminary tests that the dye fastness of the yarn or thread is 100% colorfast to crocking or washing under all conditions. We cannot be responsible for any consequential damages since the value of the thread is so disproportionate to the value of the goods into which it is stitched.

Embroidery care, answered

FAQ

The most common questions about caring for your DTLA Print embroidered apparel.

Can I bleach an embroidered garment?

Non-chlorine bleach is preferred and should be used per product instructions. A small amount of chlorine bleach can be used if necessary, but extra care is required especially with darker thread colors.

Can I dry clean dark embroidered garments?

Dry cleaning is allowed, but dark shades require special care. Avoid pre-spotting agents and let the cleaner know the garment is embroidered before processing.

How hot can I iron over embroidery?

We recommend ironing on the reverse side, between two pieces of cloth, without a steam iron. The cloth barrier protects the stitching from direct heat exposure.

Are all embroidery threads industrial-laundering safe?

Only Super Brite™ Polyester and #7 Polyester Floss are rated for industrial laundering when proper International Fabricare Institute procedures are followed. Contact us before industrial-laundering pieces stitched with other threads.

Why does the embroidery need different care than the garment label says?

Garment care labels apply to the fabric — not the embroidery. Embroidery thread, dye, and stitching density vary across decoration runs, so additional care extends the life of the stitching even when the garment label is more permissive.

My embroidered piece released some color in the first wash. Is that normal?

A small amount of color residue can appear on the first wash. Rinse first in lukewarm water, then cold water repeatedly until the rinse runs clear. Do not leave the piece soaking. If color continues to bleed, contact us.