How to Remove Screen Printing

Screen printing is a method of engraving designs such as words, photos, or logos on fabric materials like t-shirts, shirts, bags, or hoodies. An impenetrable ink is used during this process to ensure that the ink doesn’t go through the cloth.
For this technique to be successful, you must have film positives, a mesh screen, a squeegee, a flash cure unit, and a belt dryer. Currently, sizeable screen-printing businesses are using automatic screen-printing machines.

Additionally, screen printing is also known as serigraphy or silk screen printing. Also, this technique is used in etching patterns on other materials like wood, glass, plastic, paper, and metal.

There are several effective methods of removing screen printing from fabrics. However, how you choose will depend on the time it takes for the screen print to get off. So, in this section, you will learn how to remove screen printing from clothes.

 

Using solvents is the first method of removing screen prints on fabrics. There are various solvents that you can use during this removal process. They include:

• Acetone or nail polish remover
• Spotting fluid
• Plastisol remover

Let’s go through the steps when using all these solvents for screen printing removal.

• Acetone or Nail Polish Remover

Acetone or nail polish remover is ideal for t-shirts with cracked screen print designs. These solvents ensure that the pattern is removed thoroughly. So, here are the steps of using acetone or nail polish remover.

Note: Nail polish remover contains acetone. You can use pure acetone or a nail polish remover.

Step 1: Pour the acetone or nail polish into a bowl.

Step 2: Place a cotton ball in the bowl with the solvent to soak for 3-5 minutes. Ensure that the cotton ball is well-soaked. Also, you can use a pad.

Step 3: Place the fabric you want to remove the screen print on a flat surface.

Step 4: Now take the cotton ball and start rubbing on the screen print in circular motions until the design gets off.

You should wear protective garments that include safety eyeglasses and gloves when using pure acetone. This is because acetone is a strong chemical with adverse effects. When it accidentally enters your eyes or comes into contact with your skin.

• Spotting Fluid

A spotting fluid is another solvent you can use to remove screen prints. This solvent is ideal for cotton t-shirts as it is effective. This method ensures that you have a spot cleaning/removal gun. Some spot removal guns use air compressors, while others have similar functionality as a water pistol.

Here are the steps when using a spot removal liquid.

Step 1: Place a towel and put the cloth on a flat surface, and ensure the side with the print is on top

Step 2: Fill the spot removal gun with the fluid

Step 3: Aim and start firing the fluid on the region with the print

Step 4: When done, wash the fabric to get rid of the remaining marks and the chemical

NB: Don’t wear the cloth immediately after the process. Ensure you clean it using a detergent.

Although effective, you must be keen when aiming the spotting fluid on the screen print. This is because when you aim in another spot, it will damage your t-shirt.

• Plastisol Remover

The plastisol remover is the best when removing screen print ink from clothes. Due to its high concentration, we advise that you work in an open area and wear protective clothes (gloves and safety glasses).

Step 1: Soak a cloth in the plastisol remover

Step 2: Place the cloth over the screen print design and leave it for 20-30 minutes

Step 3: Remove the design from the fabric using a soft brush

Step 4: Wash your t-shirt to remove an additional plastisol remover

Other than the plastisol remover, you can use rubbing alcohol.

 

The iron and peel screen printing method is simple and best for cotton cloth. You require a paper bag, an ironing board, and an iron box. You can remove screen prints from your fabric when you have these requirements.

Step 1: Put the cloth on the iron board and ensure that the screen print design faces up

Step 2: Turn on the iron and set low heat. Also, set no steam.

Step 3: Place the shiny side of the paper bag and place the shiny side on the screen print

Step 4: Run the iron several times over the paper bag, specifically on the region with the screen print

While running the iron over the design, it will stick on the paper bag and peel away. However, the prints might not fully get off. So, by using a scraper, remove the remaining ink from the fabric.

 

Sugar is suitable for removing new screen prints. It can sometimes remove old screen print designs but is ineffective. The best thing about this method is that it doesn’t require many things and is affordable. All you need is a tablespoon of sugar.

These are steps to use to remove screen prints using sugar.

Step 1: Place your cloth on a flat surface

Step 2: Take a tablespoon of sugar and pour it on the screen print design

Step 3: Start rubbing using your hands

Ensure you gently rub the sugar in a circular motion to avoid damaging your fabric. Remove the sugar with the ink using a soft brush when you finish. Wash the cloth using a detergent.

In case some ink remains, use any of the above methods.

 

Similarly to using sugar, the cold-water rinse is best for fresh screen-printing designs. Many screen-printing businesses use this method to salvage fabrics when they embed the wrong design.

When you notice an error with the screen print, put the fabric in a washing machine. Alternatively, you can cold-water rinse using your hands. Never use warm water, as it will make the ink remain on the cloth.