How to Remove Sublimation Ink? Best Ways To Fix Mistakes

There is a lot of confusion about how to remove sublimation ink. People get upset when they see their favorite t-shirt ruined. But no need to worry about your clothing being ruined because this is not a permanent change. The ink will disappear once you put the item into the dryer or heat it. So, there is no need to throw out your shirt. 

If you do not know how to remove sublimation ink from clothing, getting your clothes back to their original condition won’t be easy. We will provide a complete guide on removing sublimation ink from various surfaces. We will also explain the removal of sublimation ink and the different methods available.

Removing Sublimation Ink? Best Method

Sublimation dyes are permanent and very strong. Hence, they are very difficult to process to remove completely.

So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to remove sublimation ink from your clothing, you’ve come to the right place. There are many ways to remove it from your clothing, but most of them take a lot of time and effort and require specialized equipment. 

However, there are a few methods that anyone can use to remove ink from their clothing with little to no effort and at a reasonable cost. Follow the mentioned techniques to remove sublimation ink.

Remove Ink from Mugs and Tumblers: Ceramic and Metal

Sublimation ink is a dye used to decorate products like mugs, tumblers, and other ceramics. It is applied using a heat press or a special machine that uses high temperatures and pressure to transfer the ink from the paper onto the product’s surface.

We will show you how to remove ink from metals, mugs, and tumblers. The ink is very difficult to remove, but you can remove it if you know how. The method we will use is the most effective one. 

Begin by Applying Hairspray to the Ink Area

One of the ways to remove the ink is to use hairspray. This will make the ink easily removable. You should apply the spray to the area where the ink is located. Once the ink is covered with the hairspray, you should let it dry.

Allow it to Sit for a Minute if Possible, But Not So Long that it Dries.

Once you have sprayed the ink, allow it to dry for a minute or two but don’t let it dry for long. This will make the ink easy to remove. 

Wipe the Area With a Soft Cloth

Wipe off the ink with a cloth or sponge. Make sure that you are not rubbing too hard. Otherwise, you will scratch the surface of the mug or the tumbler.

Repeat the process until it is removed permanently from the mug.

Remove Ink from Shirt: Polyester and Cotton Fabric

You might want to remove sublimation ink from your clothing for many reasons. Perhaps you’ve just bought a new shirt and want to get rid of the old, ugly sublimation ink. Or maybe you have a t-shirt that you want to make your own, but you don’t want the old, ugly sublimation ink to be visible on the new t-shirt.

However, it can be difficult to remove from clothing. Whatever your reason for wanting to remove ink from your dress, we have the solution for you. There are many ways to remove sublimation ink from clothes. The most popular method is by using heat. 

Using Heat, You Can Remove Sublimation Ink

One of the best ways to remove sublimation ink from clothing is to use heat. This will require a dryer, although you could do this with a standard laundry machine if you don’t have a dryer. After heating the fabric for a few minutes, repeat this until the ink is completely gone.

Use Bleach to Remove Sublimation Ink

Another method of removing sublimation ink from clothing is to use bleach. This may sound crazy, but it works.

Some people have tried using bleach to remove the sublimation ink from their clothing. Be careful not to overdo this, though, as bleach can cause serious damage to your clothes.

Use a Pressure Washer to Remove Sublimation Ink from a Shirt

If you want to remove sublimation ink from your shirt easily, you can use a pressure washer to erode the sublimation ink from the garments, walls, and wooden surfaces.

This process can be done by mixing regular water with the water in the pressure washer tank. It’s quite easy to remove sublimation ink from a shirt. The only thing you will need is a pressure washer. The best thing about the pressure washer is that it will not leave any trace of marks on your clothes or fabric.

Household Chemicals to Remove Sublimation Ink

There are several Household Chemicals that you can use to remove sublimation ink from clothes. Some of these household chemicals are:

• Aluminum Foil
• Denatured Spirits
• Paper Towels
• Ironing
• Denatured Alcohol and Polymer Crystal Mix

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Acetone remove sublimation ink?

Yes, Acetone can remove the sublimation ink on a paper transfer or a printed image on fabric or clothing. You can also use Acetone to clean and disinfect contaminated areas such as computers.

Acetone is a very strong solvent, so be careful with it. If you accidentally spill on your skin, wash the area immediately. Moreover, we don’t allow the use of Acetone as it can burn the surface of the substrate.

Can sublimation ink be removed from the printer?

Yes. A well-printed ink can be removed from the printer by washing. This is a common question among printer owners. Most printers will have a special cleaning station with washable pads that can remove the ink. Most of the ink can come off with a rag or soft cloth.

Another way to remove sublimation ink?

Sublimation inks have a very strong bond with paper.

Many methods can be tried, but we do not recommend trying them yourself. The best way to remove sublimation ink is to use a professional service. Many professional imaging companies have ink removal services that can remove the ink for a small fee.

Can I remove the sublimation ink with vinegar?

Yes. You can try a vinegar-based cleaner to clean sublimation ink. But you should ensure that the printer is not plugged into a power source when doing so.

How do you fix sublimation mistakes?

Sublimation mistakes can happen when you use a sublimation machine. It’s fairly easy to repair sublimation mistakes, and it’s best to do so before the dye begins to set and you end up with an unsightly scar. To fix your errors, remove the ink by soaking the item in a stain remover, dye remover, or methylated spirit. 

How do you get sublimation ink out of polyester?

Acetone can be used to remove the ink from the polyester. However, Acetone can also damage the surface on which the ink is printed. To remove the ink from the polyester surface, we don’t recommend using Acetone. Contacting a professional imaging company is better for removing ink from the polyester.

Final Words

When using sublimation ink, a few methods are mentioned above to remove the ink. Some can be done at home, but professionals better do others. When the ink is done on the surface, it is usually permanent. So, when you try to remove the ink, you want to ensure that the product surface is safe and sound before you return to using the product.