Here are some frequenty asked questions, this list is also known as an FAQ list. We have split the list into categories to help you find things more easily. Scan through and feel free to contact us if you feel what you were looking for was not here.

Categories

• Fitting
• Quality and features
• Instructions, Markers, Colouring
• Safety
• Website
• Payments and shipping
• Exchanges, returns and refunds
• General

Where can I find what sizes are available?

When you are browsing our designs, you can click on any of them. That will take you to a page that has everything to do with that shirt. Amongst all the things you can see about the shirt, there is a drop down menu that shows all available sizes. In that section you will see a "Show measurements" link, click on it to reveal the real dimensions of the shirt and a diagram which correlates them to our shirt. As you pick different sizes, these dimensions change to help you see if the size is suitable for you.

How do I know what size to choose?

There are a couple of ways to determine you shirt size. You may already have some American Apparel® t-shirts and you will be able to find out from those which size fits you best. The other option is to take one of your own t-shirts that fits you best and compare the measurements of that to the sizes available. To determine the chest measurement of your t-shirt, lay it flat and take a measuring tape of ruler and measure from one side seam to the other. Once you have this measurement, double it and then find out which shirt it is closest to amongst our available sizes. If the measurement is in between two sizes, it is best to get the larger.

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What makes ALBINO colour-in-able shirts so great?

ALBINO shirts have a combination of qualities that make them unique in the colour-in-able shirt market. Firstly, we must mention our unique patent-pending stabilising backing device which comes pre-installed on all ALBINO T-shirts. This makes colouring-in much easier for children by holding the fabric steady so they don't have to. Then there are a number of choices we have made to make your shirt a great shirt. We print on one of the highest quality T-shirts available on the market at the moment: American Apparel®. These shirts are free of sweat-shop labour and their design is brilliant. The fabric is of superior quality making them very hard wearing, more resistant to damage caused by frequent washing and consequently longer lasting. The markers we supply are Crayola® "Fabric Markers" which are easy to use and most importantly are non-toxic. You can also purchase Artiline® "T-Shirt Markers" which are a very high quality fabric markic marker with superion ink layout, also non-toxic. We print our designs using water-based inks. These make the print as supple as the shirt itself, unlike plastisol-type inks which feel cold, rubbery and inflexible. Additionally, water-based ink prints can breath just like the fabric, they do not crack with age and can be ironed.

Why do you use American Apparel® shirts?

We have chosen American Apparel® shirts for several reasons. One of them is the ethics involved. Good working conditions for the skilled people that make these garments. Another is that we have found their fabric to be of superior quality. It is long lasting and takes well to being used and washed over and over again. The most important thing that we found when looking for the best shirt, was the cut or pattern of the shirts. These are a slimmer cut and have a lovely form unlike many others which fit like a bag over the body, without shape. We also found that the extra length in the American Apparel® shirts was a great design feature. These shirts are designed to look good and feel comfortable and we have been very happy with them. We would however like to hear what you have to say and if you do find any problems with the shirts that we are currently using, please let us know. You would use the shirts regularly and we value your feedback.

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Where do I find instruction for colouring in my shirt if I have lost mine?

Every ALBINO shirt comes with detailed instructions and diagrams on how to complete the shirt. If yours has been misplaced, you can send us an e-mail and ask us to either e-mail you back a PDF so you can print them yourself (quicker) or to send you a new booklet in case it is for a gift. Contact details.

Why is there a stabilising backing?

Fabric can move a great deal when being drawn or painted. Without the stabilising backing, colouring in your shirt can be extremely difficult and tiresome for little hands. Our patent pending stabilising backing holds the fabric flat and in place while you colour it in. It also stops it from creasing which can cause ugly lines as excess ink accumulates on them. The result is a more evenly coloured shirt than if the backing was not in place.

Why do I have to remove the backing?

To ensure that no residue from the backing is transferred to the shirt during the ink heat-fixing step. The backing is only temporary and is only meant to be present for the colouring-in. It is not part of the garment and has been designed to be easily removable.

Why do some colours bleed together when I colour in?

The colours may be bleeding together if you are colouring in next to a section of the design that is still wet. Wet colours can bleed together because they are both wet and they try to invade each other's space. To prevent this from happening, we suggest that you colour in each colour, all the yellow section for example, and then let them dry for a minute or two before you start with the next colour. While the other sections are drying, you can start with a new colour in a section that is not next to the one that is drying.

Why do I have to 'set' the the ink from the markers?

The markers have a special ink in them that requires heat to make them attach permanently to the fibres in the fabric. Normally you would use an iron to set the ink so make sure to ask an adult to carry out this step for you. You can burn yourself if you do it alone!

What will happen if I wash my shirt without setting the ink?

If you wash your shirt without setting the ink, the colours will wash away leaving a stain where you had coloured in. The colours may also stain the rest of the white shirt. If this happens, simply colour-in the shirt again but make sure to heat-set the ink this time.

I have had my shirt for a while now, why have the colours faded?

All inks and dyes fade over time due to light UV, wash and wear. Some inks and dyes last longer depending on their type and quality. The colours on your shirt may have faded because they were left in the sun for a very long time. Also, they may appear faded because the inks were not set correctly before the shirt was washed. Or, the the shirt may just be old and loved.

How can I make them bright again, like when I had first coloured it in?

Using the markers that came with your shirt, you can re-colour in your shirt over the old colours and set them again. Just as you had done when your shirt whe it first arrived. It is best to use the same colours that you originally used. If for example you had coloured one part yellow and then tried to colour in the same area later with blue, you may get a greenish blue colour.

Can I use my markers on other fabrics?

Yes you can. Fabric markers work best on both cotton fabrics. It is best that you ask an adult before you draw on other things as the ink is permanent. Though heat is required to permanently set the ink, it can still leave a stain even if it has not been set. Heat setting is one of the things to consider before you draw on another types of fabric, think about this: can you iron the fabric after you have coloured it in? If not, it is best that you do not use the markers on it.

Oops! How did ink get on that?

If you mark a piece of fabric or a garment accidentally you may still be able to get it out. It is best to soak the victim in warm to hot water, slightly agitating. Because at this point the ink has not been heat set, it may wash out with warm water but it may also leave a stain. It depends on the fabric. When using warm and hot water, please be sure to follow the washing instructions of the marked garment. Some fabrics, particularly synthetics will not take well to hot water, they can shrink and become damaged. Again, follow the washing temperature instructions on the garment and if you have any problems, please contact us for advice.

How do I store my markers?

Always store the markers horizontally or lying down. This ensures that the tip remains soaked in the ink and will be available for use at a late date.

What is the recommended age for using the fabric markers?

The recommended age use for the markers is 5+.

Should I buy an ALBINO shirt for someone under the age of 5?

ALBINO shirts may be difficult for children under the age of 5 to colour in however, we do suggest that parents complete the project with the child or the shirt be coloured in by an older brother or sister or any other member of the family for that matter. We know that all children like to be involved in things like this and even though they may be too young to colour in, they can still wear the the shirt once it has been completed.

I'm WELL over 5 years old, can I colour in and wear an ALBINO shirt?

Hey, you can be 105, you are not required to provide us with proof of age. Check the measurements, if you think you can fit in one of them sizes, go for it.

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Why do I have to ask an adult to help me set the colours?

The time required to set the markers is 2-3 minutes with an electric iron set at high temperature. If you do it yourself you could burn yourself. No only that, you could ruin your brand new shirt!

Is the screen printing ink used harmful?

No, the screen printing inks we use are not harmful. One type is a water-based ink which is classified as "Not Dangerous" according to the EC standard 2001/60. Another type of ink we use is phthalate and PVC free specifically formulated for children and it adheres to the EN71-3 EU safety standard.

Are the markers harmful?

Both the Crayola® Fabric Markers and the Artline® Shirt Markers are non-toxic, conform to the European Union EN71 safety standard and additionally the Crayola® Fabric Markers conform to the American ASTM D-4236 safety standard. They are however not suitable for children under the age of 36 months as they contain small parts which may cause a chocking hazard if swallowed. It is also important to note that the marker ink is permanent on clothing and contain ink that may stain.

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How do I create my albino account?

Find the "My Albino" link in the top navigation bar. It is on the right hand side right next to "Cart". Click on "My Albino" and follow the instructions in that page. Keep in mind that we require very little information from you to create the account so you can quickly try out the advantages an account gives you. You can provide more information later on or when you chose to make a purchase.

How do I change my account details?

Once you have an account, go to the "My Albino" section and sign in. Click on the "View my albino settings" section to view your current settings. From there, you can click on "Edit" to edit your details. To change your password you must click on the "Change" link next to the password.

Why should I get a "my albino" account?

Having an account allows you to access your shopping cart, current orders and order history from any computer with access to the internet. If you make a country selection, it will be used to pick the correct shipping zone for that country as you get ready to go to the checkout. Using your registered user name and password protects access to your account. We make sure all the information relating to your account is only ever transmited over a secure connection. Just make sure to log out when you are done!

How do I know what is in my cart?

The shirts you have added to your cart will appear minaturised on the top right hand section of the page. The mini-shirts are clickable. Click on one to change its size, markers and even quantity without first going to the cart page.

As I try to sign-in I get a strange message about the shirts in my cart, what is that?

Because we want you to experiment freely, we do not require that you sign-in to play around with selections. To avoid surprises, we let you know what was in the cart as you are about to sign in in case it was not you playing around with selections but your hopeful little friend. This way, you do not end up with unwanted shirts on your way to the checkout.

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What payment options do I have?

All major forms of payment are accepted at the PayPal checkout.

How long will my parcel take to arrive?

Shipping times depend entirely on where in the world the parcel is going to and the customs service in each country. About a week seems normal but allow 15 days before getting worried.

How will it arrive?

Your shirt will arrive gift boxed at no extra cost. Hint: You can colour in the box with ordinary pencils and markers.

What happens if it doesn't arrive?

If your parcel does not arrive within the recommended time, please contact us so we can look into what happened and make sure that you get the shirt that you ordered.

What happens if it has arrived but it is damaged?

If your shirt has arrived damaged in any way, please contact us so that we can discuss the problem and the solution.

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I changed my mind, can I exchange shirt, markers, sizes?

We regret that we cannot offer you an option to make exchanges. ALBINO shirts are printed as they are ordered. This way we can offer a large selection of designs. Additionally, we let you pick only the markers you want. As such we print and package each shirt individually for each order. It is not common to find two orders that are the same. We have detailed size charts for the shirts, please study them to make the correct choice.

Can I return my shirt and get a refund?

For the same reasons we outlined in regards to exchanges, we cannot offer you a refund. However, if we made a mistake packing your order, we will gladly fix it at no additional charge to you.

My shirt, markers etc is defective, can I return it?

Contact us within 30 days of purchasing so we can arrange a replacement.

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Are ALBINO shirts available in stores?

No, currently ALBINO is only available from our secure online store.

Can I suggest new designs?

Of course. We would love to hear about what you would like to see on future ALBINO shirts. Send us an email or a letter.

Can I send photographs of my completed ALBINO Shirt?

Yes Please! We would love to see your finished creations. Send us a photograph via email or in the post. Sometimes we even select some photographs of coloured-in shirts to be shown in the site. Unfortunately, we cannot actually show your face but your shirt gets a chance to be famous and you can tell all your friends!

Do you design and make custom shirts?

Yes we do. Custom made shirts do not cost the same as the readily available shirts at www.myalbino.com but it definitely possible and you can contact us for more information. We can give you all of the information that you will need including cost and how long it will take to complete.

Can you colour my shirt in for me?

Not everyone has the full use of their faculties. If you do not, we will be glad to help. Otherwise, no, you have to do it yourself or just wear it as it is!

Should I call or email if I have a problem with my shirt or anything to do with the product?

Of course, if you have any problems at all, please contact us and we will try our best to answer all of your questions.

Your FAQ has not answered my question, what now?

If you did not find what you were looking for in this FAQ, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to be of assistance. Contact details.

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