This is a picture of a cover about a print on a shirt.

How to Remove Print from Shirt

Written by Mokua Brian

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Reading time for 8 min

Removing prints from shirts without damaging your fabric can sometimes be challenging, making this DIY project less satisfying for many. However, with the right guide, you’ll be removing different prints from your shirts with ease while preserving the quality of your fabric. Here’s a comprehensive guide covering several methods you can use to remove different types of prints from shirts. Keep reading to find out more. Enjoy!

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1. Methods To Remove Prints from Shirts Materials & Supplies Required Method 1: Heat and Scraper Method 2: Rubbing Alcohol or Acetone Method 3: Heat Transfer Solvents (VLR Letter Remover) Method 4: Abrasive Pad or Sandpaper 2. Seeking Help from Professionals 3. Tips & Precautions

4 DIY Methods To Remove Prints from Shirts

To get you started, we’re going to learn a bit about the kinds of prints you’ll expect to encounter in your shirts, the materials you’ll require for your removal processes, and the various methods you can use depending on the prints you’ll be dealing with. So buckle up, and let’s make your removal projects a success from now on.

Identifying the Print on Your Fabric

To begin your print-removing project on the right foot, you need to identify the type of prints on your shirts. This is important in helping you determine which removal method you’ll use to get it off quickly and safely. The common prints that you’ll come across include:

  • Screen Prints : These usually feel smooth and flat on the fabric.

  • Heat Transfer Vinyl Prints: These usually feel rubbery and are a bit raised from the fabric’s surface.

  • Sublimation Prints: These are embedded into the synthetic fabrics of the garment making them quite difficult to remove.

Materials & Supplies Required

After identifying the type of material you’re working with, you need to gather the right materials for your removal project. Here’s a list of materials you’ll require for your project. You don’t have to have all of them, just the ones suited for the type of print you’re dealing with.

Shirts with Prints to Remove: These are the garments you'll be working on.

Rubbing Alcohol/ Acetone: These solvents help dissolve and break down the ink, particularly for heat transfer vinyl (HTV) and screen-printed designs.

Soft Cloth/Cotton Balls/Sponge: These materials are used to apply the solvents and gently wipe away the loosened ink.

Heat Press Machine/ Iron Box: Heat can help soften the adhesive, making it easier to remove the print.

Teflon Sheet/Parchment Paper/A Thin Cloth: These materials protect your iron or heat press from damage and prevent sticking.

Credit Card/Plastic Scraper: These tools can be used to gently scrape off softened ink or adhesive residue.

Washing Machine/Running Tap Water: These are used to thoroughly clean the shirt after the removal process.

Protective Gloves: These protect your hands from the chemicals used in the process.

Adhesive Remover: This specialized product is designed to dissolve and remove stubborn adhesive residue.

Heat Transfer Solvents: These solvents are specifically formulated to dissolve and remove heat transfer vinyl.

An Abrasive Pad/ A Sandpaper (Fine Grit): These can be used to gently scrub away stubborn residue, but use them cautiously to avoid damaging the fabric.

Method 1: Heat and Scraper

This is best for shirts with Heat Transfer Prints. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step1: Heat the Print Area of Your Shirt

Take a Teflon sheet, parchment paper, or a thin cloth and cover the area of your shirt with the heat transfer print on the inside. This is to prevent direct contact between your heat press or iron and the fabric of your shirt. 

Too much heat can damage your shirt and too low heat will not remove the prints perfectly. You need to make sure that the heat settings of your heat press or iron box are medium to high and press for about 10 to 15 seconds covering the entire area so that you evenly loosen the adhesive.

Heating the Print Area

Step2: Peeling or Scraping the Print

Once you’ve heated the print evenly and the admission has loosened, start peeling or scraping using a credit card or a plastic scraper gently from the sides. You’ll notice vinyl lifting and peeling. You’ll have to repeat the heat and peeling process several times until the prints are removed.

Peeling off the prints

Step3: Removing the Residues

There are some residues of the prints that will remain on the shirts, here’s how to remove them. Take a clean piece of cloth or a cotton ball and dip it in an adhesive remover, then wipe off the residues. Now rinse the part you’ve removed the print with warm water then let it dry before washing the entire shirt as usual in a washing machine.

Method 2: Rubbing Alcohol or Acetone

This method is best for vinyl and screen prints. Follow these steps to remove such prints with ease.

Step1: Testing your Solvent and Preparing your Shirts

The first thing you need to do is test your solvent on a small part of your fabric or similar fabric material. This is because some solvents can cause color fading and damage your shirts. Once you’ve tested your solvent, take a small piece of cloth and place it inside the shirt under the print area you want to work on. The cloth will prevent the solvent from bleeding to the back of your shirt. 

Step2: Applying the Solvent

Now dab some acetone or rubbing alcohol on a piece of clean cloth or cotton balls and gently rub the printed area of your shirt. Alternatively, you can dab the entire printed area until it’s wet with the acetone. Now stretch the print part of your shirt. You’ll notice the ink of your prints dissolving as it comes into contact with the solvent.

Dabbing the print with acetone

Step3: Scrubbing & Rinsing

After the print area has faded significantly, you can use a sponge or a soft cloth to rub the area to remove the residues that have remained. Now wash your shirt in warm water to remove any solvent residues then let it air dry.

Rubbing to Remove Residues

You can go on YouTube and watch this video on Wow to remove screen printing from any shirt, pants, or bag to learn more about using acetone or rubbing alcohol.

Method 3: Heat Transfer Solvents (VLR Letter Remover)

Some prints can be very stubborn or tough to remove. For such prints, we advise you to use a fabric-safe heat transfer solvent remover such as VLR Letter Remover. Follow these steps when working with heat transfer solvents.

Step1: Testing the Solvent

There are many types of heat transfer solvents and not all of them are safe for fabrics. So get a fabric-safe heat transfer solvent like VLR Letter Remover and test it on a small part of your cloth to see its effects. If it’s safe, take a clean piece of cloth and place it inside the shirt under the printed area you want to work on.

Step2: Applying the Solvent

Now dab a piece of cloth cloth or cotton ball with the heat transfer solvent. Or you can spray the heat transfer solver on the back of the printed area. Apply on the printed area and let the solvent sit on the prints for 1 to 2 minutes. This is to give the solvent enough time to break down the adhesive.

Dabbing the backside of the print area with VLR Letter Remover

Step3: Removing the Print

Once the adhesion of your prints has loosened up, gently peel them off using your fingers, scrapper, or scrub them. Not all of the prints will be removed with a single application of the solvent. You’ll have to repeatedly apply the solvent and scrub until all the prints are removed.

Peeling off the print using your hands

Step4: Rinsing & Drying Your Shirts

Once the prints have been removed, rinse the area with warm water to remove any residues of the solvent before washing and air drying your shirt.

Note: When using solvents, you need to make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area. Your workstation should be free of anything that can react with the solvent. Consider putting on protective gloves, face masks, and possibly laboratory glasses to protect your skin from any harsh effects of the solvent.

Method 4: Abrasive Pad or Sandpaper

Despite using the methods provided above, there are still some prints that can be persistent. For such prints, you can use an abrasive pad or sandpaper as your last resort. You can lightly sand the print area with fine grit (400-600) sandpaper or an abrasive pad. You’ll realize the print coming off the shirt. However, this method is very tricky because any small mistake will damage your fabric so be very cautious with the pressure you’re using when sanding.

With the right method, supplies, and patience, you can remove any prints from your shirts and they’ll still look as though they’re new.

Seeking Help from Professionals

While many print removal methods can be attempted at home, there are instances where professional intervention is necessary to achieve optimal results without damaging the fabric.

When to Seek Professional Help:


  • Stubborn Ink: If the print is particularly stubborn or resistant to home remedies, a professional dry cleaner can employ specialized techniques and solvents to remove it effectively.

  • Delicate Fabrics: For delicate or vintage shirts, it's best to consult a professional to minimize the risk of damage.

  • Complex Designs: Intricate prints or multiple layers of ink may require advanced cleaning methods that are best left to experts.

Finding a Professional Cleaner:


  • Local Dry Cleaner: Many experienced dry cleaners have expertise in handling various stains, including ink. They can assess the specific nature of the print and recommend the most suitable cleaning method.

  • Specialized Cleaning Services: Research online or inquire at your local dry cleaner for companies that specialize in print removal. These businesses often have access to advanced equipment and techniques for tackling stubborn ink.

Important Considerations:


  • Shirt Condition: Evaluate the age, fabric type, and overall condition of the shirt before attempting any removal method.

  • Print Type: The type of ink used in the print can influence the effectiveness of different cleaning techniques.

  • Colorfastness: Test any cleaning solution or solvent on an inconspicuous area of the shirt to ensure it doesn't cause color bleeding or damage.

Tips & Precautions

Have the following tips in mind when undertaking your removal projects so that you protect yourself and the quality of your fabrics.

  • Use high-quality solvents for your projects to prevent damaging your fabrics.

  • Wear protective gloves when handling solvents because they can be harmful when they come into contact with your skin.

  • Be careful when dealing with your heat press or iron so that you don’t burn yourself or your synthetic material shirts which are highly sensitive to heat.

  • Wash your shirts in cold water with mild detergent after using any of the methods provided above to remove all the chemicals or any residues remaining.

  • Always test your solvents on a similar fabric or small area before using it in your project.

  • You might need to repeat these methods more than one time especially when dealing with stubborn prints.

  • Inspect your shirt again for any damage before putting it on or adding another design.

  • Removing prints is a demanding job so you need to be patient as you go about it for perfect results.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to remove prints from your shirts or any garments can be very useful in transforming your wardrobe or that of your family or friends. You can avoid fashion waste and promote the recycling of clothes by re-designing them to look as good as new. 

With this guide, you can confidently tackle the task of removing screen prints from your shirts. Share this article with friends and family so that they can also get to redesign their favorite fabrics with ease.