A Coast Guard Legend Has Retired Shirt – USCG Veteran Retirement Gift

Material & Care

Material
We use high-quality blank garments from Gildan, including the Ultra Cotton™ G200 / G200L for tees and the Heavy Blend™ G1800 / G18500 for sweatshirts and hoodies.

• The G200 / G200L tees are made of 6 oz/yd² (US) 100% cotton (in most colors), offering a durable, smooth, print-friendly surface.
• The G200 / G200L also have certain colors blended (e.g., heather or sport grey may be 50/50 cotton/poly) to achieve specific textures and colors.
• The G1800 / G18500 (sweatshirts/hoodies) are constructed of a 50% cotton / 50% polyester blend (in solid colors) with heavier fabric (around 8 oz/yd²) for cozy comfort and durability.
• All these blanks are chosen because they provide excellent compatibility with DTG printing (direct-to-garment), giving vibrant, long-lasting prints that feel soft to the touch.

Why this matters

• 100% cotton (or high-cotton content) means a softer feel, good breathability, and excellent ink absorption—ideal for detailed prints and vibrant colors.
• The cotton/poly blends in sweatshirts/hoodies balance comfort & durability: the polyester helps resist shrinkage, gives structure, and supports heavier use.
• Gildan's heavier weights ensure the garment feels substantial, quality, and will hold up well through wear and washing.

Processing & Shipping Time

• Average production time: 1–3 business days
• Shipping (U.S.): 4–6 business days
• Shipping (International): 6–12 business days

Estimated delivery time = processing + shipping time.

Care Instructions
To keep your apparel looking great and the print intact, please follow these care guidelines:

1. Wash cold or at maximum 30 °C / 86 °F
   Use cold water when possible to preserve both fabric and print.
2. Turn inside out before washing
   This protects the printed surface from direct abrasion with other garments.
3. Use mild detergent
   Avoid strong bleach or harsh chemicals; particularly with dark or highly saturated prints and colors.
4. Do not use fabric softener on printed areas frequently
   Fabric softener can reduce the ink adhesion/longevity over time.
5. Tumble dry low or air-dry
   If you use a dryer, set on low heat. Better yet: hang dry to preserve garment shape and print clarity.
6. Do not iron directly over the print
   If ironing is needed, turn the garment inside out or place a protective cloth over the print area and use a medium temperature.
7. Avoid dry-cleaning
   DTG prints are best maintained with home washing; industrial dry-cleaning may affect print life.

Additional Tips

• For dark and vibrant colored garments (especially safety colors or heathers), you might notice slight fading of the base color after many washes—this is normal; however, the print on our chosen Gildan blanks remains sharp and vivid.
• For extreme care (e.g., if you are printing premium collections), consider a cold wash + drying flat to further extend lifespan.
• Important: avoid leaving garments in direct sunlight for extended periods when storing, as prolonged UV exposure may slightly fade both fabric color and print.