How to Remove Logo from Shirt

Companies have become gifting experts, branding everything they give: hoodies, mugs, backpacks, or clothing. We all appreciate free stuff, especially when it doesn't compromise on quality. Wearing or carrying branded products around during the actual event is nice and makes you feel like a part of it. 

However, you could feel like a walking billboard or an ambassador whenever you are in a shirt that has a shouting company logo outside company events. These methods effectively remove a logo and make your shirt wearable again.

For logos that are stitched on the shirt, you will need to remove them using a seam ripper, and a pair of tweezers. A lint roller also comes in handy to remove any leftover threads at the end of the process.

Removing embroidery requires patience and keenness to avoid making holes in the shirt while trying to save it. Wear cut-resistant gloves to avoid accidental cuts and pricks.

Many companies prefer heat-transfer vinyl logos because they are quick to design, look professional, and are cost-effective. They are smooth, with edges slightly raised from the fabric’s surface, making them easy to scrape off using your hand or peel with tweezers. Sometimes, the corners are sharp and noticeable, giving you a great starting point for peeling. 

Residue stuck on the shirt after peeling can be washed off using soap. Peeling the logo requires precision to avoid making holes using tweezers.

Unlike HTV logos, getting rid of these logos calls for more technical means and products because the ink is embedded deep in the fabric. Removing these logos will likely leave an adhesive or residue on the fabric, which might require cleaning using special products such as rubbing alcohol, dry cleaning solvents, or soap.

Always check the care label of your fabric before subjecting it to any of the following methods to remove logos. Mike Taylor, Owner of  A Cleaner World says, "We need to know whether to wash or dry clean a comforter, and sometimes we can’t determine that without the tag. If we do the wrong process, it could damage the item"

Nail polish remover contains acetone that easily mixes with ink and breaks down logos that are made using permanent markers or are paint-based. Acetone also weakens the adhesive on vinyl stickers for easy peeling.

Do a patch test on a smaller part of the shirt before using acetone on the logo, as the chemical might damage fabrics made of plastic or synthetic fiber, spandex, or rubber. Acetone also contains dyes that cause discoloration on the shirt, and if strong enough, weaken the fabric by breaking down the synthetic fiber. 

Spot removal guns are mainly preferred by branding companies to remove stray ink from clothes safely. It uses specialized solvent cleaners such as acetone and naphtha, mineral spirits, detergents, and oxidizing agents to dissolve inks, paints, and adhesives on logos. The equipment and products needed might be expensive for a one-time job. 

However, if you want to remove logos in bulk, it is worth the investment as it is the best way to get the job done.

Plastisol remover has a pungent smell and the chemicals are harmful to inhale, so it is recommended to be in a properly ventilated room. Wear nitrile gloves and protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Plastisol is a special print ink used to embed logos on clothes, especially on dark clothing, because it drives the ink deeply so that it won’t chip or fray. Liquid and gel plastisol removers dissolve and remove plastisol ink on fabrics. One of the common plastisol removers is Speedball ink cleaner.

You can also use a mixture of turpentine or mineral spirits as substitutes if ready-to-use plastisol remover is out of reach. The chemicals in the removers might have harsh effects on synthetic fibers, silk, and spandex.

Plastisol remover has a pungent smell and the chemicals are harmful to inhale, so it is recommended to be in a properly ventilated room. Wear nitrile gloves and protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

High heat can potentially deform or melt spandex and synthetic fabrics, as well as irreparably scorch silk fabric. In most cases, using heat will not achieve a clean and permanent result.

In the end, before you commit to any removal process above, check the nature of the logo and the shirt's fabric. Whenever possible, do a sample test using a similar piece of cloth to check its efficiency and endurance, especially if chemicals are involved. 

Remember, no matter the removal method used; the scarring might be evident where the logo previously sat.

Where getting rid of the logo is likely to render a shirt unwearable, consider using a patch to cover it up. It’s a creative way to hide it while adding a personal touch.