Sublimation printing has a reputation for producing permanent colorful designs on sportswear used in performance sporting activities. You may be a club which requires replacement of old outfits, or you may need to know how to remove the ink of sublimation and still have your shirt with its performance and moisture-wicking properties intact. This guide has easy to understand and practical instructions that will help you to take the sublimation ink material away.
Understanding the Fabric & Print Bond
Before you can get rid of the ink successfully, you need to know why it is so hard to get rid of in the first place. Sublimation printing involves heating of solid ink to convert it to a gas. The gas is inserted into polyester strands of a sports shirt, and once the garment is cooler the gas will revert to a solid state.
Through this molecular connection, the sublimated clothing is very long lasting compared to the rest. It will not crack, peel, or fade in the process of washing.
Pre-Removal Considerations Specific to Sportswear
All these precautionary steps should always be observed before the removal technique is applied. They will play an important role in ensuring that your technical clothes will not suffer any irreparable harm.
Check fabric Composition:
This is to ensure that the shirt is composed mainly of polyester. Polyester can combine different materials with methods that destroy them. The mixed fabrics are handled extra careful.
Performance Finish Awareness:
Be conscious while using aggressive treatment on special finishes i.e. moisture-wicking, anti-odor, or UV protection finishes. Suppose these finishes are always sensitive.
The Spot Test Rule:
A removal solution should always be tested on another section of the garment that is not visible like a seam within or the shirt tail before it is applied to the main design. Look for discolouration, wear or tear on the fabric or alteration to the hand feel of the fabric.
Ventilation and Safety:
Working with such chemicals as alcohol or dye removers, it is important to work in a well-ventilated place and wear gloves and eye protection.
Methods to Remove Sublimation Ink
Low-Risk Methods
The softer methods start with these. They are the least dangerous to the fabric and technical characteristics of your sportswear.
i. Dish Soap/ Mild Detergent Pre-Treat.
A mild degreasing soap should be able to get rid of ink in a soft form. In case the mark is small, apply a small amount of undiluted soap into your fingers or a soft cloth. Keep it for at least 15 minutes. To remove the past set-in stains, it is better to treat them in advance and leave them overnight.
ii. Hot Water Soak
When the water is hot, the molecular link between the ink and the polyester may be broken. Put down a big pot of water. The damaged area of the shirt should be gently dipped and held in place for 5 to 10 minutes with the tongs. Washing the cloth spreads the hot water out so that it gets into the fibers. After the area has been soaked, rinse it with cold water for 2 to 3 times.
Chemical & Solvent Methods
In cases where low-risk techniques fail, use the solvent-based methods that are more efficient but risky.
i. Isopropyl Alcohol /Rubbing Alcohol.
The ink contains chemicals that are disintegrated using isopropyl alcohol (70 percent and above) as a solvent. Wet a piece of cloth or a Cotton ball using alcohol then rub it onto the stain. Avoid rubbing and thus the ink is spread. Let it sit a minute or two or so just to give the alcohol time to dissolve the ink then blot it.
ii. Purée Lemon Juice and Vinegar.
The bonds of the ink can be destroyed using citric acid and acetic acid commonly found in lemon juice and vinegar. Pour fresh lemon juice into the spray bottle along with white vinegar till they become equal in proportion. Add a small amount of the solution on the spot until it is covered then wait at least five minutes. Using a softly bristled brush, which moves in a circle apply gently. Rinse the cloth well.
Violent Approaches & Final Recourse.
They are strong choices when the given stain is really stubborn but has a high possibility of ruining the shirt. When you are not ready to gamble on the garment, use it.
i. Dye Remover / Stripper Commercial.
Chemicals in goods like Rit Color Remover are supposed to get rid of the dye in fibers. They have to be used exactly the way the company that made them says to, which is usually by dissolving them in hot water in a stainless steel pot. The clothing is moved around. It needs to be put in the solution and mixed for 10 to 15 minutes so that the ink can turn dark from oxygen. Use protection goggles, mask and gloves when working with commercial dye stripper and bleach
ii. Bleach / Oxidizing Agent
Sportswear made of white polyester should only be washed in bleach. Bleach will permanently change the color of any other cloth. It oxidizes and breaks down the molecular bonding of the color. Mix 1 TB of chlorine bleach with 1/2 cup of water to make a weak mix. When you apply, be careful and use a cotton swab or an eyedropper. Finally, clean it off with excessive water. If possible, use a solution of vinegar and water or a special neutralizer to prevent the chemical reaction of bleach.
The Practical Alternative
A creative cover-up can rescue the garment when it has become too hard to remove, or is too hard to damage, or too hard to be completely covered.
i. Cover-Up or Re-Design Option
The best option is to cover the old design, which is usually the safest and most professional-looking; An overprint with a new, larger sublimation design or an iron-on patch can be used. In the case of a patch, cut the patch to a minimum or bigger than 1cm all around the stain, and use a hot iron to hold it in place.
5. Sportswear Special Techniques and Care.
- Care of Performance Characteristics: Moisture-wicking and anti-odor finishes, the weakest technique should always be used. Use soft scrubs and low heat which will not spoil the fabric coating.
- After Treatment: If any attempts are made at the time of removing wash the garment separately in cold water with a mild liquid detergent. Do not use fabric softeners and bleach, as this may cause further damage to technical fabrics and any print left.
- Drying: Line-dry the shirt or air-dry the shirt. Keep the dryer at a low temperature, because it may fix any traces of ink, and damage the elasticity and technical qualities of the fabric.
FAQs
Will removing the sublimation ink affect the moisture-wick or anti-odor finish of the sportswear?
All the procedures of ink removal are not possible without any impact on the properties of anti-odor and moisture-wicking of the fabric. Soft styles of touch cloths are to be utilized to avoid damage to surfaces.
How many times can a sports shirt be sublimated and removed and re-sublimated several times before the cloth becomes deteriorated?
Washing a shirt could only spoil it, particularly the polyester cloth and the more it is washed the more it gets spoiled. The cycles are repeated twice or thrice after which the fibers start degenerating losing strength and elasticity.
Should there be the use of acetone or nail-polish remover on performance sports fabrics?
One should not apply acetone, nail-polish remover as it is a hard chemical that can ruin the fibers of the fabric, as well as ruin the part of the print.
When using a shirt that has stretch panels or has elastane, can sublimation ink be removed at home as well?
Sublimation inks are difficult to wash off stretch fabric such as elastane and could cause the cloth to get misshapen. One should never jump into doing it as a whole but always have it in bits.
How to act in the event of the leaking of the ink of the sublimation, under the seams, or under sewings?
The ink can hardly be removed from the sides. You may even have to redesign the outfit on such an occasion or plan a cover-up strategy.
Does it change the colour of the clothes it has been plucked off (particularly the black colour)?
Yes, there are ways of removing ink or to be more precise, bleach could actually alter or in fact lighten the colour of the garment and darker fabrics such as black or navy lighten.
How long will it be necessary to wait when it is removed before putting it back on the shirt?
Allow time of 24 hours to ensure that the ink is taken off, and to ensure that the fabric is fully dry so that it can be further sublimated.
Are there sportswear fabrics, environmentally friendly or non-chemical processes that are ordered?
Green practices such as the application of natural detergents or boiling of water are not that damaging to the environment, and tend to be more environmentally friendly to the environment.
Salvaging Your Gear & Choosing the Right Partner
Sublimated sportswear is another type of sportswear that should only be bought from a trustworthy seller who uses good materials and neat printing methods. Our goal at Goal Uniform is to offer a large selection of printed shirts with bright designs that last all season and are of high quality and will last a long time. You can get in touch with us if you need professional help choosing which fabrics, inks, and sublimation methods to use for your team.
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