A vinegar-like smell on a new direct-to-garment shirt can come from printing pretreatment. It is not automatically evidence that the garment has been worn or the print is defective.
Pretreatment and garment care
Pretreatment supports ink adhesion. Printful explains the odor and temporary residue in its vinegar-smell guidance. Other decoration methods may differ.
Follow the garment label and our care guide. Avoid harsh cleaners or extra heat to remove the smell faster.
If an unexpected mark, strong odor or print problem persists, contact Airplane Tees with your order number and photos when relevant. Do not assume every unusual condition is normal or that one wash is guaranteed to resolve it.
