I prewash now due to a bandana print (red) that made a mess out of my blue and white in the quilt. Three washings did not fade the bleeding red. I don't usually use pre cuts because of them being a pain to pre wash. I use the color catchers now and even after prewashing, occasionally I will have bleeding with dark colors. I don't press the fabric until I'm ready to use it, just fold it right out of the dryer. Also, I sometimes surge the edges to prevent the strings.