How to Wash Your RK-800 Tee Without Fading the Print
By Qfficial Quantic Dream Merc | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Tips & Care
A step-by-step laundry routine for the Detroit: Become Human RK-800 Tee that protects the sublimated graphic from fading, cracking, and dulling.
Quick answer
Turn the RK-800 Tee inside out, wash it on a cold, gentle cycle with mild detergent, and skip the dryer entirely. The print is sublimated into the 100% polyester fabric, so it will not peel like a surface coating, but heat and abrasion still dull the colors over time. Air-dry flat or hang it in the shade to keep the design sharp.
Why this tee needs a different routine
The Detroit: Become Human RK-800 Tee uses sublimation printing, which means the design is embedded directly into the fabric rather than sitting on top as a plastic layer. That is good news for cracking, but it does not make the shirt indestructible. The 100% polyester, 190gsm knit can still fade from hot water, high dryer heat, and rough tumbling, and the snug fit means the fabric stretches during wear and washing. Treat it like a performance polyester piece, not a heavy cotton tee, and the graphic will stay vivid much longer.
What you need before you start
You do not need specialty products. A mild liquid detergent without bleach or fabric softener, a mesh laundry bag if you have one, and a drying rack or a flat surface are enough. Avoid powder detergents that may not dissolve fully in cold water, and skip dryer sheets, which can leave a residue that dulls the print. If you are washing the tee with other clothes, keep it away from zippers, hooks, and rough denim that can snag the fabric.
Your step-by-step wash routine
- 1. Turn the tee inside out: Flip the shirt so the printed side faces inward. This puts a layer of fabric between the graphic and the drum, reducing friction that can dull the sublimated colors. Common mistake: leaving it right-side out and washing with jeans or towels. Checkpoint: the print should not be visible when you load the machine.
- 2. Use cold water and a gentle cycle: Set the machine to cold (30°C / 85°F or lower) and choose a delicate or gentle cycle. Hot water can weaken the polyester fibers and cause the print to lose intensity over repeated washes. Common mistake: using a normal cycle with a large load. Checkpoint: if your machine has a spin speed setting, keep it low.
- 3. Add mild detergent, skip bleach and softener: Use a small amount of liquid detergent free of bleach, brighteners, and fabric softener. Softener coats the fibers and can make the print look hazy, while bleach attacks the dye directly. Common mistake: pouring detergent directly onto the shirt. Checkpoint: let the machine fill first, then add the tee.
- 4. Wash with similar colors and fabrics: Wash the RK-800 Tee with other polyester or synthetic activewear, or alone. Avoid heavy cotton towels, denim, and anything with zippers or velcro that can snag the knit. Common mistake: mixing it with a new dark towel that sheds lint. Checkpoint: if you see lint on the shirt after washing, use a lint roller before it sets.
- 5. Skip the dryer completely: Remove the tee promptly and air-dry it flat on a rack or hang it in the shade. Direct sun can fade the print, and dryer heat is the fastest way to shrink the polyester and dull the graphic. Common mistake: using a low-heat dryer cycle as a shortcut. Checkpoint: if the shirt feels damp, reshape it gently and let it finish air-drying.
- 6. Store it folded, not hung: Once dry, fold the tee and store it in a drawer. Hanging a snug polyester tee for long periods can stretch the shoulders and distort the fit. Common mistake: hanging it on a wire hanger. Checkpoint: if you must hang it, use a wide padded hanger and only for short periods.
Product facts
- Detroit: Become Human RK-800 Tee: Sublimation tee with designs embedded directly into the fabric for a high-quality print that won't peel or fade. You do not have to worry about the print cracking off like a screen-printed layer, but you should still protect it from heat and abrasion to keep the colors strong.
- Detroit: Become Human RK-800 Tee: Composition: 100% polyester, 190gsm; snug fit, order one size up for a comfortable fit. Polyester holds dye well but is sensitive to high heat, so cold washing and air drying are the safest choices. The snug fit also means the fabric flexes more, so a gentle cycle reduces unnecessary stretch.
