Erase Unwanted Prints: Revamp Your Old T-Shirts

There are several reasons you might want to remove a print from a T-shirt. You may love the shirt but dislike the print, or the print may be old and no longer look good. Whatever the reason, there are a few methods you can use to remove the print without damaging the shirt. The most common methods involve using an iron, a solvent, or a combination of the two. It's important to note that these methods are mainly effective for removing vinyl or rubber prints, and screen-printed ink is more challenging to remove.

Methods to Remove Prints from T-Shirts

Removing Prints with an Iron

Heat is the most effective way to remove prints from a T-shirt. Using an iron is an easy way to apply heat to the shirt. Here are the steps to follow:

Gather Your Supplies:

• Iron: Set your iron to medium-high heat. Avoid using the steam setting, as this can set the print further into the fabric.
• Ironing board: This provides a flat surface to work on.
• Plain white cloth or parchment paper: This will be placed over the print area to prevent it from transferring to the iron plate. White works best to absorb the print.

Prepare the T-Shirt:

• Lay the T-shirt flat on the ironing board with the front of the shirt and print facing up. Gently stretch the fabric so that the print area is smooth.
• Place the white cloth or parchment paper over the printed area, making sure to completely cover the print you want to remove.

Heat the Iron and Apply Pressure:

• Heat your iron to a medium or medium-high temperature. Avoid the highest heat setting to prevent scorching or tearing delicate fabrics.
• Once the iron is hot, firmly press it down over the print area and hold for 30 seconds. Apply steady downward pressure as you iron back and forth.
• The heat will lift the ink from the fabric and absorb it into the cloth or paper buffer.

Check and Repeat if Necessary:

• After 30 seconds, lift the cloth or paper to check if the print has transferred.
• For light prints, it may come off after just one press. For thicker or darker prints, you may need to repeat the process.
• Place a new piece of cloth or parchment paper over the print and apply pressure again for 30 seconds. Repeat as needed until the print is fully removed.

Tips for Tricky Prints:

• For thick or dark prints, try pre-treating the area with hairspray. Let it soak for 5 minutes before ironing.
• Avoid using steam while ironing, as this can set the print further into the fabric.
• Do not iron directly over vinyl or plastic-based prints. Instead, use a cloth to gently scrape off the decals.

Using Nail Polish Remover or Acetone

Firstly, turn the T-shirt inside out and apply acetone to the backside of the fabric. Make sure to apply enough acetone to soak the entire printed area. Stretching the fabric slightly can help the acetone work faster.

Next, wait for the acetone to soak in and dissolve the print. This may take around 10-15 minutes.

Once the print is dissolved, flip the T-shirt back and start peeling and scraping off the printing. If the print is not entirely dissolved or peeled off, repeat the process.

Acetone may emit harmful chemicals, so it is recommended to perform this process in a well-ventilated space or outdoors. Wearing a facemask can also help to avoid the solvent smell.

It is important to note that acetone may discolor or damage certain fabrics, especially delicate ones. Therefore, it is crucial to test the acetone on a small area first to ensure it does not damage the fabric.

Overall, using nail polish remover or acetone is a simple and effective method to remove unwanted screen prints from your T-shirts without causing any damage.

Using Plastisol Remover

If you have tried all the common methods to remove screen prints but have not succeeded, it is recommended to use a special treatment – plastisol remover. Plastisol is a popular ink type that is used frequently for screen printing. To completely remove screen prints, the most effective way is to use a plastisol remover. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove screen prints using plastisol remover:

• Apply plastisol remover according to the product instructions. Different products may have varying application methods, so follow the guidelines provided.
• Allow it to sit for the recommended time (mostly around 30 minutes). This step allows the remover to penetrate and soften the ink.
• Wipe away the softened print with a brush and soft cloth.
• After completely removing all the prints, you can try to wash off all the remaining plastisol and print residue by washing the clothes.
• Follow the safety precautions outlined by the product, including using gloves and working in a well-ventilated area.

This method is particularly effective for plastisol-based inks commonly used in screen printing.

Using Spot Removal Fluid

Using a spot removal gun with spot removal fluid is a fun way to remove a screen print design from your cotton t-shirt. You can buy these machines from most local DIY stores, and they come in different sizes and at different prices.

The more expensive ones are generally better and more effective at removing screen print designs from t-shirts. However, if you are patient and don't mind going over the design multiple times, a cheaper one will still do the job.

These machines give you the control to remove the smallest details from a design without touching the rest of the design if you still want elements of the design on the t-shirt.

You will need to be careful using this screen-printing removal method as some spotting fluid can damage the fabric of the t-shirt. So, ensure you spray the liquid directly onto the design and nowhere else.

If you choose to utilise this method, be sure to wash your t-shirt in a regular wash with detergent to remove any leftover chemicals on the shirt before you wear it.

• Use an air compressor spray to apply spot removal fluid onto the fabric.
• Place a soft cloth on the backside of the fabric where the print is.
• Spray the spot removal fluid into the fabric. Spot removal fluids through the compressed gun will break down the print instantly.
• Continue to spray all over the printed area to remove printing completely.
• Use a soft cloth to clean off the excess fluid and resolve the ink.
• After removing all the prints, wash the screen-printed shirt again to rinse all the residues completely.
• Check the fabric care label to ensure compatibility with spot removal fluid.
• Wash the shirt promptly after removing the print to eliminate any lingering chemical residue.
• Be careful with the spray. Wear a mask and gloves before spraying.

Using Sandpaper

Sandpaper can be used to remove screen prints from a T-shirt, but it may harm the fabric, so it is important to test it on a small, hidden area first.

What You'll Need:

• Very fine sandpaper (1500-2000 grit)
• Water
• T-shirt

Optional:

• Cardboard
• Paper towels
• Crayons
• Iron
• Hair dryer

Instructions:

First, dip the sandpaper in water to make it slightly wet. Then, gently rub the damp sandpaper on the printed part of the T-shirt using small circular motions.

For an extra craft project, you can also use sandpaper to create a print on a T-shirt. To do this, you will need good-quality crayons, an iron, and fine sandpaper. Start by colouring a fun design on the sandpaper, making sure to go over the design twice to create an extra thick layer of crayon.

Next, place a piece of cardboard inside the T-shirt to prevent the design from bleeding through to the back of the shirt. Position the sandpaper, right side down, on the T-shirt. Then, place a piece of parchment paper or a paper towel on top of the sandpaper to protect the iron. Set your iron to the cotton setting and iron the sandpaper for about 30 seconds.

Gently lift one edge of the sandpaper and check that you have a good print before totally removing the sandpaper. If not, iron for a little longer. Remove the sandpaper, and you'll have a print with a cool texture and a new T-shirt!

To set the colour, place a couple of paper towels on top of the design and iron again. This will remove some of the extra wax. Then, put the T-shirt in the dryer for about 20 minutes to set the colour. Finally, launder the T-shirt by itself the first time.

Frequently asked questions