I am in process of a queensized OSU quilt, and it is almost all reds and white. I prewashed everything (separate color groupings), including all whites, blacks and grays, adding a bit of retayne to set the dye. Now I won't ever have to worry about reds bleeding onto the whites. I, personally, don't get much bleed with printed fabrics, mostly have issues with solids....have no idea why the difference either. But regardless of print or solid, it all gets washed beforehand. Some fabrics just don't need starch before cutting....others do. I guess it depends on how stiff you want the fabric. JMHO