A printed tee lasts as long as the print does. Four habits keep it looking like it did on day one.
Wash inside-out, in cold water
The print is on the outside, so turning the tee inside-out puts the fabric between the print and everything else in the drum. Cold water keeps the ink from softening.
Skip the high heat
Dry on low, or line dry in shade. Direct sun fades black cotton faster than washing ever will, and a hot dryer is the single most common way a good print gets ruined.
Iron inside-out, never over the print
An iron placed directly on direct-to-garment ink will glaze it permanently. Flip the tee, then press.
Leave the bleach alone
No bleach, no harsh detergent, no fabric softener. Softener coats the cotton and dulls both the colour and the print over time.
First wash
Wash it separately the first time. Dark cotton releases some excess dye in its first cycle — normal, and it stops after one wash.