Low Qualities of Dyes Used: Another reason for garments to fade. Only to reduce the price of a product manufacturer use low-quality dyes or sometimes reduce upon the minimum process time required for dyeing. The colour of the fabric may not bleed when washed in water. Nevertheless, the moment it is washed with detergent the colour starts to bleed causing the t-shirt to fade.

Use of Strong Detergents: Detergent cannot differentiate between a colour and a stain; it tries to bleach the colour of the garment, causing it to fade rapidly. One should avoid using detergents that stake claim only of whiteness.

Drying t-shirts in Direct Sunlight: Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and it is this that causes colours to fade. During summer there is a lot more UV radiation than in Winter. UV radiation + H2O (Water) to works as a bleaching agent.

Exposure to Sunlight: Being out in the sun too causes the garments to fade. This is a natural phenomenon, and nothing much can be done to prevent it.

So time for some tips to reduce the fading of your favourite t-shirts: While you cannot do much to stop a t-shirt from fading the following steps may help reduce it.

1. Use good quality detergents that do not stake claims only of whiteness.
2. Do not dry the garment out for longer than required. During summer months t-shirts should usually dry in an hour.
3. Turn the clothes inside out while drying, any fading that may occur will happen on the inside of the t-shirt.
4. Add a cup of vinegar when washing your laundry. It prevents the garments from fading. Also, it keeps the garments soft and prevents it from smelling.
5. Dry the garment in the shade or if you have a clothesline then keep white colour garments on the side directly exposed to the sun and the dark garments on the inner lines.

Finally, the best way to safeguard from buying a poorly manufactured product for your brand promotion is to ask for a sample and use it. If the same looks good after a few washes then you could safely purchase it, after all, it is carrying the image of your brand.

Well getting any garment tested in the laboratory is a good option though not always practical will be very expensive, especially for smaller quantities.

Here are some simpler ways which may help you find out your t-shirt quality:

Tie a piece of white cotton fabric to the sample t-shirt and put it through a rigorous wash with detergent, flat dry it in the shade and look out for the following:

1. Colour Bleeding: Open the knot and check to see if the colour from the garment has stained the white cloth, if not then it’s safe to assume that the t-shirt is colourfast.
2. Colour Fading: Check if the t-shirt looks faded post-wash. T-shirt fading usually occurs if poor quality dyes have been used or the process of bleaching the fabric has been skipped before being put in for dyeing. For many manufacturers, it is common practice to skip this process as it saves on cost and time.
3. Shrinkage: Cotton by nature will always shrink, nevertheless, the same can be controlled by compacting the fabric before it’s conversion into a garment. Measure the garment pre and post-wash to see you have the required length for production. The industry allowance for shrinkage in a t-shirt is 5% though ideally the manufacturer should try and restrict it to 2-3%.
4. Pilling (formation of fabric balls on the fabric surface): Usually this is visible only after 2-3 washes. Pilling in t-shirts makes it very uncomfortable to wear. It usually occurs when a poor quality of yarn, in all likelihood spun yarn has been used to manufacture the t-shirt. Spun yarn is one of the most inferior qualities of yarn the garment industry has to offer. It’s very uncomfortable to wear, and it does not absorb perspiration from one’s body.

Quality of fusing used in the button area of collared t-shirt: Turn the t-shirt inside out and check if paper or fabric fusing has been used to make its placket. Paper fusing disintegrates in a wash or two leaving you with an unshapely placket. The buttonholes spread up as well making the entire t-shirt look second-rate and worn out within a few washes.

Quality of stitching: To increase productivity manufacturers set the stitching machines to take very long stitches, making the garment vulnerable to split. Poor stitching eventually causes the garment to tear easily if stretched.

Size of a t-shirt: Sizes of t-shirts may vary depending on the country you are buying from; every manufacturer has his size chart too. Therefore, it’s always recommended wearing the garment to check its style and fit. In attempts to be competitive may manufacturers reduce the size of the t-shirt, therefore, labels like Medium, Large, XL have no meaning, its best to try it on and decide.

The thickness of the collar and cuffs: Thin Collar and cuffs tend to fray and develop dog ears if thin.

Quality of Buttonholes: These are some significant points which will help you understand how quality conscious a manufacturer is. A loosely stitched buttonhole not only looks terrible but is a clear indication of inattention to quality.

Neck opening and Lycra in the ribs: Ensure your t-shirt has a good neck drop. Lycra ribs help keep the t-shirt in good shape.