Hoodies and t-shirts with prints have become one of the bestselling items because they are versatile, and people attach a certain significance to some print on a shirt. Still, with time, one loses appetite at seeing the t-shirts or the print fades away or you might want to rest the t-shirt you used, to apply another design. Cleaning t-shirts is one of the most tedious steps during laundrying but it is very possible to give your t – shirt a brand new look devoid of prints. Here is a complete guide on how to use different effective methods and ways to remove screen prints from t-shirts to the latter.
Understanding T-Shirt Prints
Before taking a look at the removal methods it will be useful to briefly describe the types of prints that you may have to deal with. The method you choose will depend on the type of print on your t-shirt:
- Screen Printing: It refers to one that is produced by favoring ink through a mesh screen making if a lasting one.
- Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV): Those made from vinyl are externally cut and then heat transferred onto the fabric.
- Sublimation: There is an application of heat while the design is being transferred on the fabric; a design becomes embedded in the fabric.
- Direct-to-Garment (DTG): This melts the ink onto the fabric and utilizes inkjet which makes the printing done directly on the surface of the fabric.
Materials Needed
Before starting, gather the following materials:
- Acetone commonly used in nail polish remover
- Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)
- Iron and ironing board
- Wax paper or parchment paper
- Cotton balls or swabs
- Large – plastic scraper or old credit card
- Dish soap
- Washing machine
- Clean cloth or towel
Method 1: Removing Screen Prints
Step-by-Step Guide
Test the Fabric remains intact
Also, some chemical may be detrimental to the t-shirt thus before washing the whole print with any chemicals, one is advised to first test it on a small inconspicuous area.
Apply Acetone
Soak a cotton ball or a swab with acetone or nail polished remover. Rub it over the printed area in circular motion. It should start dissolving well and you should see the ink you added you should start to disappear.
Scrape the Printing from a shirt
You can use a piece of a plastic card or an old card with the same effect using it to scrape off the dissolved ink lightly. Do not bring harm to the fabric Blanket Dresses have.
Wash the T-Shirt
After that, wash the t-shirt in cold water with dish soap, to get rid of the acetone and the ink that is still left.
Repeat if Necessary
Sometimes the prints may be very hard to remove and you may be forced to repeat the process several times.
Method 2: Removing Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
Step-by-Step Guide
Heat the Printing from a shirt
Select a heat level of medium and ensure the steam functionality is turned off before using the iron. Lay the t-shirt with the printed face down on the top of the ironing board. Place the printed side of the print onto the wax or parchment paper.
Iron the Printing from a shirt
Place the iron on the wax paper covered print and leave it there for about 30-40 seconds. It will become very hot and this will make the vinyl material to soften.
Peel Off the Vinyl printing from a shirt
Shortly after this, one should employ the use of a hard thin scraper preferably made of hard plastic or an old credit card to peel the vinyl. Mind the temperature as it will be warm.
Remove Residual Glue
Soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and then, wipe it over the area with glue residues.
Wash the T-Shirt
Rinse the t-shirt with cold water in order to eliminate the remaining of soap and then let it dry adhesive remover.
Method 3: Removing Sublimation Prints
Step-by-Step Guide
Apply Rubbing Alcohol
Moisten a cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe it through the sublimation print lightly. This may be useful in washing off the print.
Heat Treatment
Put the t-shirt inside a dryer and select a high heat and tumble dry for about 10-15 minutes. Sublimation inks are known to be transported from fabric by applying heat to the surface at certain occasions.
Wash the T-Shirt
Rinse the t-shirt with dish washing soap and cold water. Sublimation prints can hardly be wiped clean, and this might only work to reduce the visibility of the print.
Repeat if Necessary
This way, you might get the expected output for several times in order to achieve better outcomes.
Method 4: Removing Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Prints
Step-by-Step Guide
Apply Acetonedissolve ink prints
Using a cotton ball dab it with acetone or nail polish remover and scrub it on the DTG print. This may assist to dissolve the ink.
Scrape the Print
Ink that has dissolved can be removed using a scrap facing on the plastic or an old credit card. The last thing that would be required is to make sure that there is no tearing, staining or stretching on the fabric dissolve ink prints.
Wash the T-Shirt
Rinse additionally the t-shirt in cold water using dish soap to ensure that traces of acetone and ink are washed off.
Repeat if Necessary
In some of the cases it may be required to do a few washes in order to effectively remove the stubborn prints.
Alternative Methods
Method 5: Using a Chemical Print Remover
It is possible to find so many commercial products in the market that are meant for the removal of prints on fabrics. Namely, read the instructions on the product’s packaging, as the manufacturer is most likely to provide the best approach to removing screen printing and the seamless cleaning process.
Method 6: Freezing Method for Vinyl Prints
- Freeze the T-Shirt: Put t-shirt in a plastic bag and put the t-shirt inside the refrigerator for some time. The cold will make the vinyl to become more brittle.
- Peel Off the Vinyl: After that, it is advisable to let the material become frozen, it is possible to remove the vinyl layer using a plastic scraper or an old credit card.
- Remove Residual Glue: After that wash the area with warm water to eliminate remaining glue or to which rubbing alcohol can be used.
- Wash the T-Shirt: Rinse it to off of the residue and dry it off lest any other effect be added to the t-shirt.
Tips and Precautions
- Work in a Ventilated Area: When using chemicals such as acetone or rubbing alcohol ensure that it’s done in a well-ventilated area so as not to inhale the fumes.
- Test First: Every time one wants to apply any chemical on the entire print of a t-shirt, it is recommendable to make a trial on a hidden part of the t-shirt.
- Be Patient: It differs with the other prints as some are sometimes hard to be removed on the surface. Submerging and washing may have to be done several times to remove very set in prints.
- Protect the Fabric: It is also said that one should not use sharp items to wipe out the prints as it my destroy the fabric. Such as using plastic scraper or any old plastic credit cards instead of using a metal scraper.
Get Expert Help to Remove Screen Printing
The difficult and laborious process of elimination of the screen printing on t shirts may be very lengthy if the Print is rather thick, or if one has concerns for the fabric of the shirt. DIY methods may work but getting professionals is always better because the work will be done well and securely. Below is a step by step procedure to getting professional assistance to aid in removal of screen printing ink from t-shirts.
Why Seek Expert Help?
- Professional Expertise: Electricians have ideas and understanding concerning various types of prints and garments in order to guarantee the eradication procedure acceptable as well as helpful for your particular t-shirt.
- Specialized Equipment: Holders of professional cleaning jobs have access to industrial equipment and special chemicals to help them get rid of prints than using household items.
- Time-Saving: It is always recommended to hire an expert to do the job for you and the best thing is that you can let the expert handle the print removing while you do other work.
- Fabric Safety: When it comes to handling delicate fabrics, only professionals are in a position to able to handle them to ensure that they don’t damage it hence ensuring the t-shirt has a longer life span.
Finding the Right Expert
- Research Local Businesses: Search office supplies stores, dry cleaners, textile conservators or restorers who offer a print out services. A simple search on the internet or direct search in any directory may enable one to find potential businesses.
- Read Reviews: A simple way of determining the standard of service delivery in the firm is to go to Google or Yelp or the business’s social media pages to read some of the feedbacks customers have given the firm.
- Ask for Recommendations: A people should try to consult with friends, family members or any other relative or colleague that has ever employed the services of an equivalent company. Word of mouth may give information about the efficiency of the service provider and the quality of the service to provide.
Questions to Ask Potential Experts
- Which Nontraditional Logos Do You Apply? : Know the methods adopted and the materials they employ to de-green upon screen printing and ensure it is environmentally safe to use on fabric.
- Have You Ever Washed Any T-Shirt like This? : Ensure that they have worked with the type of fabric of your t-shirt and/or the specific printed design.
- May I Have Some Referral or Sample of Your Previous Project? : Check if you can be referred to former clientele so that you can gauge their competency when it comes to the removal of prints.
- What are your rates and turn around time? : Ensure that you ascertain the expenses in relation to the work and the time expected to be spent for the job.
The Process of Professional Print Removal methods
Consultation and Assessment: The expert will look at your t-shirt to evaluate the kind of print and the material and the possibility of removal.
Quotation: Depending on the results of the table, they will do a quotation for the service with costs and estimated time frame taken.
Print Removal: With the aid of special tools and chemics the expert will carefully peel of the screen print from your t-shirt.
Quality Check: The final step of their process is to conduct a quality control check to ascertain whether they have negatively impacted the fabric during the print removal process or whether they have gotten the print off cleanly.
Final Cleaning: The t-shirt may go through further washing before coming out to be worn or used or for further processing for writing on it.
Benefits of Professional Print Removal method
High-Quality Results: As it has been seen, the results that professionals can provide are almost impeccable with least to no harm to the cotton fabric, which guarantees that your t-shirt is as good as brand new.
Guaranteed Satisfaction: Most professional services providers always make a guarantee or warranty on the work they do thus making you feel safe.
Convenience: Employing the professional’s services is convenient than using do it yourself methods used in outsourcing techniques.
6 Caution to Keeping Your Screen Prints in Good Shape
Screen printed T-shirts are quite popular due to their choice of bright colors and effectiveness in wear. However, like each type of garments, they must be treated right for them to keep that feel and look forever. Following few precaution measures, it will be possible for you to keep your screen-printed garments fresh and as new in the longer run. Below are some six crucial tips that will help to prolong the life of your screen printed t-shirt erasing screen printing designs.
Wash Inside Out
Why It Matters
This issue must be managed by washing your screen-printed t-shirts inside out because the print can easily be rubbed against other clothes and the drum of the washing machine. This eliminates the risk of fading, cracking or peeling, thus making your home to be secure in terms of color.
How to Do It
Among the measures that you should take when washing your t-shirt is to place it inside out. This particular principle can go a long a way to remove screen, towards ensuring the freshness and quality of the print.
Use Cold Water
Why It Matters
If the fabric is made from cotton, hot water will make the screen print to fade, but the worst of it is that your fabric will shrink. Cold water does not harm the fabric and the will remove screen print quite as much as hot water does and therefore is preferable.
How to Do It
After acquiring your screen-printed t-shirts, do wash them in the washing machine, preferably in cold water. Thirdly, it is recommended not to wash the print with tough detergents because some of them are too aggressive for the material.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Why It Matters
Vinegar and other strong products will harm both the full screen printing inks print and the T-shirt material. Then can produce discoloration therefore reducing the firmness of the print and eventual cracking and fading.
How to Do It
Wash in gently soap that is suitable for fine fabrics scrubbing screen print residue. In case of stain treatment, it is recommended to use non-alcoholic gentle formulas approved for print and test them in a region not easily seen.
Skip the Dryer
Why It Matters
Screen prints are very sensitive to heat, especially from dryers and may split and peel. It can also affect the size of the fabric intimately leading to changes in the t-shirt size.
How to Do It
When it comes to drying screen-printed t-shirts, the best method of drying it as advised is air drying it. The are usually hanged on a clothesline or just spread on a flat surface to dry. Nonetheless, if you have to use a dryer, ensure that it is set to low heat and/or only air.
Iron with Carefully scrape
Why It Matters
Heat sources like an iron should not be used close to the screen print as the high temperature might cause it to melt or help. Correct finishing process also prevents the print from shrinking and distorting while at the same time preserving the general outlook of the t-shirt.
How to Do It
Before going to the party, ensure that the t-shirt is properly ironed; if yours needs ironing, iron it inside out on low heat. Warm the rest of the printed page gently over low heat or cover the print gently with a thin cloth or piece of parchment paper to shield it from the heat.
Store Properly
Why It Matters
Accurate storage conditions are not used which result in formation of creases and stress on the screen print surface, and as such it starts cracking. If proper storage is applied you are assured that your t-shirts will stay in the right condition.
How to Do It
Make sure you fold your screen-printed t-shirts correctly, and place them in a cool and dry spot. Do not hang them for long since the t-shirts weigh down and this puts stress and strain on the print.
Conclusion
DIY procedures can also be used to remove the screen printing designs from t-shirts but working with experts guarantees a perfect job done and without harming the t-shirts. Ending up with a suitable shade or looking good is not promising plus, the washing and drying would also not be easy; therefore, by selecting an appropriate expert with knowledge and tools, the t-shirt can be given a new look. In the instances where you wish to strip an old print off or washed a t-shirt in preparation for a new design, professional print removal service is something you can consider in the market.
