Are you tired of wearing a shirt with a design that you no longer like or that has become outdated? Have you ever made a mistake while screen printing and now wish to remove the design? Well, you’re in luck! We are going to share many ideas on how to get screen print off a shirt.
Screen printing produces a lot of colorful, multicolored, and long-lasting graphics, which make them an excellent choice for branding and promotional products (similar to sublimation printing).
However, you don’t have to live with a design you no longer like forever. In this article, we will give you a detailed guide on how to get screen print off a shirt including various methods for removing screen printing designs from clothing and other items, including nail polish remover or acetone, plastisol remover and many more.
Contents
Overview of Removal Methods
There are various ways to take screen printing designs off of clothing and other objects. Depending on the pattern and fabric, certain methods may be more effective than others. Each method has its own set of supplies and instructions to be followed. An overview of the seven techniques for erasing screen printing designs may be seen below.
Nail Polish Remover or Acetone
Acetone, a substance present in nail polish remover, is used in this technique to disintegrate the design. This technique works well for removing worn-out and cracked designs, but it’s vital to use caution because acetone is a potent solvent.
Plastisol Remover
Plastisol ink, a common kind of ink used in screen printing, is the type of ink that works well with this technique for creating graphics. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other comparable polymer particles are used to make plastisol. In order to use this technique, wet a soft cloth in plastisol, place it over the pattern, and let it sit for around 30 minutes. Then, gently brush out any flaking bits with a brush before running the item through a regular washing machine cycle.
Spot Removal Fluid
With this technique, a cleaning pistol or a toy water gun can be used to apply a spot removal fluid to the pattern. Small stains in a design can be removed using this technique best, but it’s crucial to avoid damaging the plain fabric by only spraying on the design.
Cold-Water Rinse
This technique, which is best suited for brand-new designs, entails a good ol’ fashioned cold-water rinse in the washing machine (or by hand).
Iron & Peel
This method involves using an iron to “melt” a printed design onto a bag (ideally a grocery store paper bag). The remaining ink can then be removed with ease. This technique uses heat, which usually makes erasing ink more challenging. Make sure not to use steam, though (e.g., keep your iron on a relatively low setting.). Any residual ink can easily be removed with the aid of a plastic scraper.
Sugar Scrub
This technique includes carefully removing screen-printed graphics, especially recent ones, using sugar. If some of your pattern is still visible after rinsing it with cold water, try adding a tablespoon of ordinary sugar. Use a soft cloth or the palm of your hand to gently rub your pattern.
Fade with Washing
This technique entails frequently washing the clothing to gradually fade the design. Keep the garment right side out to make it easier to immediately remove the design.
Detailed Description of Removal Methods
Nail Polish Remover or Acetone:
Materials Needed: Nail polish remover or pure acetone, a soft cloth or cotton swab
Steps:
- To make sure the acetone won’t harm the fabric, test a small, inconspicuous piece of it.
- Apply pure acetone or nail polish remover to the design using a gentle cloth or cotton swab.
- Rub the design gently until it begins to disappear.
- Applying and rubbing should go on until the design is entirely gone.
- Dry the area after rinsing it with water.
Precautions: Strong solvent acetone can be dangerous if swallowed or inhaled. Use it in a well-ventilated location and keep it away from your skin and eyes. Testing it first in a small area is crucial because it can potentially ruin some textiles.
Plastisol Remover:
Materials Needed: Plastisol remover, a soft cloth, a brush, and gloves.
Steps:
- To shield your skin from the plastisol, put on gloves.
- Plastisol remover should be applied to a soft cloth and laid over the design.
- About 30 minutes should pass as it sits.
- With a brush, gently remove any particles that are flaking.
- Remove any residual plastisol with a soft cloth.
- Use detergent and wash the garment in a regular washing machine cycle.
Precautions: Plastisol remover is potent, therefore it’s necessary to apply it in a well-ventilated area and to protect your skin by wearing gloves.
Spot Removal Fluid:
Materials Needed: Spot removal fluid, a cleaning gun or toy water gun
Steps:
- Spray the spot-removal solution onto the design immediately, being careful to avoid the plain fabric.
- Give the liquid some time to sit.
- Remove any last traces of ink by gently rubbing the design with a brush or cloth.
- Use a typical washing machine cycle to clean the item.
Precautions: Don’t spray the spot removal solution on the simple fabric because it could easily get harmed.
Cold-Water Rinse:
Materials Needed: Cold water, a washing machine or a basin
Steps:
- Add cold water to a sink or washing machine.
- Put the item in the water, and then let it a few minutes to soak.
- To get as much ink off the design as possible, gently rub it.
- Use cold water to rinse the clothing.
- Use a typical washing machine cycle to clean the item.
Precautions: This method is best used for brand-new designs.
Iron & Peel:
Materials Needed: Iron, grocery store paper bag, plastic scraper
Steps:
- Place a grocery store paper bag on top of the design.
- Iron the bag and design on a low heat for a few minutes.
- Remove the bag and gently peel away the ink.
- Use a plastic scraper to remove any remaining ink.
Precautions: Be sure not to use steam when ironing, as it can make removing the ink more difficult.
Sugar Scrub:
Materials Needed: A tablespoon of sugar, a soft cloth or your hand.
Steps:
- Cold water should be added to a sink or washing machine.
- Place the item in the water, and then let it soak for a while.
- To get rid of as much ink as possible, gently rub the design.
- Wash the item in cool water.
- Use a regular washing cycle to clean the garment.
Precautions: None.
Fade with Washing:
Materials Needed: Detergent, washing machine
Steps:
Place the item in the washing machine with the inside facing out.
The machine needs detergent.
Start a regular washing cycle with cold water.
Up until the design has faded, repeat the technique.
Precautions: None.
It is important to remember that the age, type, and type of design, as well as the type of fabric it is on, may all affect how effective these techniques are. Additionally, to be sure that a pattern won’t be harmed, it is always advised to test a small, discrete piece of the fabric before attempting to remove a design.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a variety of techniques for erasing screen printing off garments and other goods. The use of nail polish remover or acetone, plastisol remover, spot removal fluid, a cold-water rinse, an iron and peel, a sugar scrub, and washing to fade are some of these techniques.
Depending on the design and fabric, some methods may be more effective than others. Each method has its own set of supplies, steps, and safety concerns.
Use caution while working with chemicals, and test a tiny, discrete section of the cloth first to make sure the pattern won’t be harmed before attempting to remove it. In general, it is possible to get rid of old or unattractive screen printing designs from garments and other objects using the proper technique.
