Sometimes, you have to remove vinyl stickers printed on them. This could be because of a printing error or because you found a cute shirt at a thrift shop. No need to worry! This guide will show you how to remove vinyl from clothing quickly and easily.
What is Vinyl
The process of vinyl or printing involves the transference of graphics and designs to fabrics or other materials, such as metal and wood.
This type of print is easily recognizable by the glossy appearance they have against the fabric. Vinyl is not a silkscreen. It does not seep into your clothing. The vinyl is placed on top of the garment with the aid of adhesive.
The versatility of this type of printing is why it has grown in popularity over the past few decades. Vinyl printing allows you to have a variety of designs, colors, and textures. Vinyl printing has been able to meet these requirements with its modern innovations.
You can apply a variety of graphics with vinyl printing, including glittered designs and glow-in-the-dark designs.
Remove Vinyl Using These Methods
Unavoidable mistakes are inevitable. The same goes for printing and creating clothes. You may have a design on a shirt that’s not placed correctly or is stuck to the wrong shirt.
The vinyl decal has been everywhere in the last few years. This has become a popular trend, especially because it comes in a variety of graphics and designs. You may find a cute t-shirt with an unpleasant vinyl print and want to remove it.
The four methods listed below will help you remove vinyl from your shirt.
Vinyl Remover Solvent
This is the most efficient method of all those listed. We recommend buying a vinyl solvent if you run a printing company where mistakes are likely to occur. Vinyl removers can be very time and cost-effective. They also leave minimal residue, which you can easily clean. This chemical works well to remove the vinyl print and residue. It only takes a few minutes.
To remove vinyl using a vinyl removal solvent, you will need to:
We recommend wearing gloves when handling chemicals, especially if your skin is sensitive. It will prevent any irritation or allergic reactions to your skin.
Then, flip your shirt over and spray a few drops on the backside of the design that you wish to remove. The solvent must soak into the glue to dissolve it.
You should be careful when using solvents to remove only a portion of the design. It can remove other prints. To be more precise, you can use a cotton swab.
Wait a few moments, and the print will start to separate from the fabric. You can help this process by stretching and tearing your fabric.
You can gently remove vinyl using tweezers or an Xacto knife. You can use any tool that scrapes.
You can soak another fabric in the solvent if the adhesive hasn’t lifted completely. You can then rub the solvent on any remaining adhesive to remove it completely.
Wait for the solvents to dry before applying a vinyl sticker. Solvents can easily remove newly-pressed vinyl.
Pure Acetone
Pure acetone is a great alternative to vinyl solvents. You should always check the packaging to ensure that the acetone is 100 percent acetone. This removal procedure requires:
Apply a few drops of acetone to the fabric and let it soak for a couple of minutes. You can see vinyl slowly separating from the material.
You can remove vinyl from clothing using tweezers or an Xacto knife.
The vinyl remover solvent can be used to remove adhesive residue. The remaining adhesive can be removed with another cloth soaked in acetone.
Iron and Tweezers
Iron and tweezers can be used if you do not have access to both solvents. This is especially useful if your design is small. This is the easiest method, but removing any remaining adhesive residue can be difficult.
You should follow this method:
Once the iron is hot enough, you can press the vinyl against it. Once the iron has reached the desired temperature, press the vinyl backside against the iron. You can also put the iron in the shirt and press the vinyl against it.
The heat activates the adhesive, so pressing the fabric against an iron will help you remove the vinyl.
Once the fabric has been heated, use tweezers to remove the vinyl gently.
Goo Gone
Goo Gone has a much softer chemical formula than the vinyl solvent remover. If you do not want to use harsh chemicals, this product is the best choice. Goo Gone can be used to remove vinyl prints.
Put the Goo Gone into a small, airtight container. After you have poured the desired amount into the container, dip a cotton swab in the container.
Then, gently rub the cotton swab on the fabric’s back to remove the vinyl adhesive. Turning your material will ensure that Goo Gone seeps into the vinyl adhesive.
After the Goo Gone has seeped into the fabric, use a Xacto knife or some tweezers to peel the vinyl off gently.
Petroleum Jelly
Don’t worry if you have residue to deal with and don’t possess a solvent. You can still use a product to help. It’s easy to find in most homes, and you may already have one. If not, it is very affordable and easily accessible. Here’s how to remove adhesive stains on fabric using petroleum.
Rub the petroleum jelly gently on the residue of the adhesive for a few moments.
If the glue has clumped together, then wash the fabric in water. Repeat the petroleum jelly application if there is still glue.
You can then wash the fabric in warm water with a standard detergent. To ensure there is no adhesive remaining, wash the fabric in warm water with a normal laundry detergent.
