How to Press & Crease a Sateen Dress Shirt for Men

Sateen dress shirts can be ironed smooth using the right process.

Sateen is a cotton fabric with a special finish applied, imparting a unique sheen to the fabric. Dress shirts made with sateen often incorporate a small percentage of artificial fibers, like Spandex, in order to enhance the fit. Ironing a sateen dress shirt is a similar process to any standard cotton shirt, creating sharp creases and a crisp look. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• Warm iron
• Ironing board
• Press cloth

Instructions

1. Set the iron to its "Cotton/Linen" setting. If the iron does not specify a material, set it to "High."

2. Start with the collar first. Flip the shirt over, ironing the back of the collar until flat. The press cloth is not needed here.

3. Place one half of the shirt over the ironing board. Place the press cloth over the shirt. Iron this half of the garment smooth. Make sure to work the tip of the iron between buttons or along the placket, as this area remains visible even with a jacket. Repeat the process for the other half of the front of the shirt.

4. Flip the shirt over to iron the back. Nestle one sleeve opening into the square section of the ironing board.

5. Lay the press cloth over the back and iron it smooth. Slide the shirt over, finishing the entire back. Pay special attention to any pleats on the back, ironing them flat.

6. Straighten one sleeve on the board, using the seam on the sleeve as a guide for straightness. Place the cloth on the sleeve. Iron the sleeve, paying attention to the outer section of the arm. This provides a sharp, crisp crease. Repeat for the other sleeve.

7. Unbutton the cuffs. Flip one cuff over so the open side is facing up. Iron it smooth, eliminating any creases.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't iron over buttons. Doing so leaves circular sections on the cuff that are almost impossible to remove.

References

• Art of Manliness: How to Properly Iron a Dress Shirt
• Garment Care: How to Iron a Shirt Like a Pro