Why does my shirt have a vinegar smell?

When unpacking a new shirt or hoodie with a direct-to-garment (DTG) print, you might notice a vinegar-like smell or an off-white residue. Don't worry, that's not unusual - it's from a fixation agent applied during the printing process and it's not permanent.

Fixation agent (sometimes known as pre-treatment) is used for all DTG prints across the industry. It helps the ink bond with the fabric, and without it, the ink would flake off the garment.

The solution is simply to wash the garment! Neither the residue nor the smell is permanent and both should go away after one wash.

What type of ink do you use?

We use Kornit Water-based and NeoPigment inks that are Oeko-Tex™ certified, which means they are safe to print on children’s clothing and reduce environmental waste. These inks provide a high washing colorfast AATCC rating of 4.

What suppliers are you working with?

Gildan offers wardrobe essentials such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies in both classic cuts and contemporary styles. The brand is also a part of the Genuine Responsibility® program which focuses on creating apparel using renewable energy and less water than the industry average.

How long do I have to submit a claim for a return/exchange?