How to Avoid & Remove DTG Pretreatment Box Stains

Trying to figure out how to remove box stains from your garments after pre-treating them during the DTG printing process? Then watch as we guide you through some of the common causes of box stains, as well as how you can prevent them from happening and how to remove them, so your apparel can come out bright, vibrant and completely stain-free.
Learn more about our Viper Mini pretreatment machine: shop.ricoma.co...
For more information on how to apply pretreatment, check out our video: • How To Pretreat Shirts...
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For even more information about pretreatment tips and tricks, watch our recorded FB Live with Ricoma CEO Henry Ma: • Perfecting Your Pretre...
For an in-depth video on how to print a t-shirt using a heat press, from pretreatment to the final press, check out this video: • Printing My First DTG ...
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01:32: Cause #1: Too Much Pretreatment
02:45: Cause #2: Too Much Pressure
03:19: Cause #3: Too Much Heat
04:00: Cause #4: Teflon
05:15: How to Remove Box Stains
What Are Box Stains?
Box stains are square discolorations that appear wherever you apply your pretreatment liquid. They show up during the curing process when you add pressure from the heat press. They’re very common during DTG printing, but can be tricky to avoid and hard to remove. Here, we go over the main causes of box stains so you can avoid them in the future, and how to remove them if they do show up on your garments.
Cause #1: Too Much Pretreatment
One of the main causes of box stains is adding too much pretreatment liquid to your garment before printing. After curing, this causes a thick build-up to form. The amount of pretreatment you need is determined by the type of fabric you’re using, and how thick it is. Some require more, some less. (Polyester is thinner and requires less pretreatment than cotton, for example.) That’s why instead of focusing on using less pretreatment, you should instead try to apply it evenly and with light pressure. A pretreatment machine like the Viper Mini is best for this, because it’s lightweight and easy to use, and you can even adjust the speed at which you apply your pretreatment.
Cause #2: Too Much Pressure
It’s important to apply enough pressure so that your heat press can stay shut. Adding too much pressure, however, will cause it to spring open. Too much pressure will also crush the liquid’s particles in the fabric’s surface, which causes stains to appear. So go easy when you shut your heat press, and apply just enough pressure to keep it closed.
Cause #3: Too Much Heat
Too much heat can cause your garments to burn, leaving visible stains behind. A good rule of thumb is to set your heat press to about 330 degrees Fahrenheit. Any higher will likely leave a mark. The amount of time you need to pretreat your items also depends on the kind of pretreatment liquid you purchase. Check the bottle for specifics so you can set an accurate timer for your heat press process.
Cause #4: Teflon Sheets
You always need to use a Teflon sheet, which protects your garments during the heat press process. If you run out of Teflon sheets or forget to use one, you will burn your garment.
How to Remove Box Stains
If you do end up with box stains on your garments, there are a few ways to remedy this. First, you can wash your shirt two or three times in a standard washing machine. With minor box stains, you can steam them using a steamer or traditional steam iron and ironing board. Otherwise, you can try spraying your garment with peroxide or aerosol sizing and running it in a standard clothes dryer.

[@ricomatv]

What are your best practices to avoid & removed DTG pretreatment box stains? Comment below!

[@thenegativefilmcritic]

Editing is 🔥

[@ricomatv]

We think so too!

[@IDewsKustomz]

Is it common for the pretreatment to make the shirts a little stiff after curing?

[@ricomatv]

Your shirts may be slightly stiff after curing, but stiffness can also be a sign of using too much pretreatment. If they don't soften soon after curing, try using less.

[@jiggywithj]

Where can we purchase the peroxide or aerosol?

[@ricomatv]

Hi there! You can purchase these items through Amazon

[@Kcoop1287]

Where do I buy the brown teflon paper from?

[@ricomatv]

Hi! You can purchase it through here > shop.ricoma.com/products/ricoma-16-x-20-teflon-paper?_pos=1&_sid=3e10fb40b&_ss=r

[@turkmenweddingturkmentoy]

Dear team thank you for the great video, i have a question Can i use the pretreatment liquid only on the exact place of t shirt where i want to print on ? cause i want to avoid from stains on black garment i think we don’t have to do pretreatment on whole side of t shirt if i want to print small size of image? I would be appreciated if you answer my question thank you #ricomateam🙏🏻

[@ricomatv]

Yes you can do that

[@francisgalarneau576]

at 2:35 the nozzle was spitting the pretreat like a car wash lol!

[@ricomatv]

We appreciate you for watching! PS: (we know right?)

[@lezlialbelo7857]

I though the same too. A tad heavy thought a slightly heavier flow than a mist is best

[@igrouptech]

Yeah.......that's not how it is supposed to spray. With a clean tip and properly purged line, it would be an even and ultra fine mist. Also, it should be noted that the Mini works in reverse of what is shown. The wheel drives it down the tee towards the user.

[@farfromhollywood4281]

The Grey and white shirts all turn yellow in the sun. To the point iv lost thousands in sales I had to re make. Talked to the company that makes the stuff that ricoma sells and they said to do a bunch of stuff and wash them before wearing outside and we did all that and they turned yellow again in like an hour. So I now know dtg can't print on white or Grey garmets if you plan on wearing it outside of the house ever

[@cheeboys6136]

I never use pre-treatment on light garments

[@farfromhollywood4281]

@@cheeboys6136 I might try that. Does the inks fade easily though in the wash

[@ricomatv]

Hi there, we are so sorry to hear that. Please submit a request with the service team so they can try to help you out with this or provide tips! ---> ricoma.com/US/contact-us

[@johnireland3550]

I use a light garment pretreatment that does not react to UV light as well as staining. It is used on all light/white colors to reduce this from happening.