Screen printing is a technique used by designers to make inscriptions on different surfaces spanning from glass to paper to wood, plastic, leather, and even fabrics. It is also known as silkscreen printing or screening and involves lots of complicated processes that are too voluminous to be discussed here.
Instead, I will be providing valuable tips on how to remove screen printing from fabrics. I know you may be wondering why the need for this, but with time, most of these designs fade or become outdated, which may make their removal unavoidable because they have become unappealing.
This helpful article does not only seek to help people achieve this but also how to remove logos and some other factory embed designs.
How do I remove screen printing from fabrics?
There are many ways to remove screen printing from fabric. In this section, only three will be discussed; other methods will be discussed in subsequent sections.
Cleaning with vinegar
- Prepare a solution with baking soda and vinegar in equal parts.
- Apply the paste directly on the screen printing.
- Leave the paste on the print fit for about 10 minutes.
- Rinse afterward with warm water.
- Scrub the treated surface with a brush or towel until the design is completely gone.
Cleaning with Baking soda
- Prepare a solution with a cup of Baking soda and 2 cups of hot water.
- Apply the solution directly to the imprint and leave it to sit for about 10 minutes.
- Scrub the treated area with a brush or towel until the surface is free of screen printing.
Cleaning with lemon juice
- Squeeze lemon juice directly on the unappealing sight created by the screen printing.
- Leave the juice on the surface for about 30 minutes
- Rinse the treated spot afterward with good water.
How to remove screen printing from clothing
Cleaning with nail polish
- Dip a cotton ball inside the nail polish remover.
- Rub the cotton ball on the screen printing until the print completely fades off.
Cleaning with spotting fluid
The spotting fluid is like a cleaning gun, and it uses pressure and chemical solvent to get rid of unwanted indentations and fabric or any other surface. Below are details on how it can be carried out.
- Pour enough spot-removing liquid into the gun and aim directly at the inked design; then, as usual, pull the trigger!
- Once the ink is dissolved, wash the fabric according to its care instructions to remove the chemical solvent.
Note: To prevent the removed ink from being transferred to the other side of the fabric, place a scrap towel or material underneath the treated spot to absorb the ink. Also, make sure to aim accurately because the solvent can damage the plain fabric.
How to remove screen printing from cotton
You can remove screen printing from cotton with any of the recommended methods above. Another way you can go about it is by using Plastisol remover. Check the details below.
Cleaning with Plastisol remover
- Dip an old cloth or towel in the plastisol solution.
- Apply the solution to the design and leave it to sit for close to 30 minutes.
- Scrub off the remnant of the lifted design from the fabric surface with a soft brush.
- Soak up the solution remnant with a cloth.
- Wash the fabric by following the care instructions in the washing machine to get rid of the offensive odor of the plastisol remover.
Note: Plastisol is a powerful chemical, and therefore for safety purposes, make sure to use the chemical only in a well-ventilated area. And also, wear your glove before you start cleaning with the chemical.
How do you remove logos from clothing?
One of the best ways to remove logos from clothing is by using nail polish remover. Check for details on how it can be used below.
- Dip a cotton ball in a bottle of nail polish remover.
- Rub the cotton ball over the printed logo.
- Remove logo remnants by scrubbing them with a gentle plastic scrubber, or you can use your fingernail.
How do you remove screen printing from a hoodie?
- Apply Acetone directly to the print and leave it to sit for close to 30 minutes.
- Gently scrub away the print with a soft brush or rag.
- If the inked design is wholly gone, wash your hoodie the usual way and dry it. If not, repeat the process until there are no more prints on the fabric.
Will Acetone remove Screen print?
Yes, Acetone will remove Screen print. Acetone is one of the most efficient ways of removing screen prints from clothes. This nail polish remover chemical can help to dissolve any ink or designs, even if they have already been set on the clothing fabric with heat.
How do you remove embroidered logos from clothes?
You can get rid of unwanted embroidered logos from your fabric with a seam ripper. Check below for details.
Removing embroidery with a seam ripper
Items needed
- 1 pair of tweezers
- Lint brush
- Duct tape
- Magnifying glass
Step involved
- You should turn the fabric inside out to reveal the back of the embroidery.
- Tuck your hand inside the fabric so that you can hold the part you intend to remove.
- Slide the ripper under a small portion of the stitches and gently push the ripper forward to cut the stitches. You can attempt 5 to 6 stitches at a time for better control of the process.
- Once you cut all the stitches, turn to the right side of the fabric to check; if there’s any loose thread, pull them out.
- Pull out the stitches with a pair of tweezers.
- If you notice some stitches that are difficult to pull, don’t force them; instead, cut them with the seam ripper.
- Use the magnifying glass to check for tiny threads or stitches on the fabric and pull them out.
- Once the thread and stitches are removed, scrub the area with a lint brush to get rid of stray threads. You can use duct tape as a lint brush substitute.
