How to Remove Heat Transfer Vinyl Easily and Quickly?

Using the iron to perform heat transfer vinyl is a fun and exciting idea, isn’t it? You get the opportunity to add your favorite design and express your individual style. On a variety of clothing items that too! But, unfortunately, mistakes are also a part of the experiences. So here’s how to remove heat transfer vinyl.

Or maybe you’re tired of laying your eyes on the same design. Whatever the reason, you should know how to remove heat transfer vinyl.

But first, let’s find out how to apply heat transfer vinyl:

Contents

How to Remove Heat Transfer Vinyl Using an Iron

Photo credit: doodlecraftblog.com

Place your shirt or clothing on the ironing board. Make sure that the transfer design is facing up. Feel free to use any other hard surface. Such as washing machine, dryer, counter, or table. It’s not important to carry this out on an ironing board only.
Place cardboard, plywood, or a towel between the item of clothing. This helps in preventing unnecessary damage.
Go through the garment care instructions. The iron should be at its highest setting. But if you’re a little worried about causing damage to the shirt, medium setting is fine too. You can gradually move to the higher setting until you achieve optimal heat.
Now it’s time to use wax paper. Place it on top of the vinyl. Then using the iron, press directly over that wax paper. This results in slowly melting the transfer. And making room for you to peel off those layers easily.

How to Remove Heat Transfer Vinyl Using Chemical Solvent

Photo credit: YouTube channel “TshirtChick”

Before I get to the instructions, here’s what you need to know. You can’t just use any chemical solvent. A solution specifically created for heat transfer vinyl removal is important. And don’t hesitate to use household solvents. Such as alcohol, adhesive remover, or nail paint remover.

Place your shirt in the washing machine dryer on high heat. A couple of minutes in there tends to loosen up the transfer adhesive.
After removing the shirt from your dryer, turn the piece of clothing inside out. The inside part that has the vinyl should be facing up.
Test that solvent on a small patch first. To ensure that it doesn’t cause any unnecessary damage to the shirt. Once in the clear, apply the solvent everywhere on the part that carries the vinyl design.
You need to stretch the clothing to make sure that the solution soaks through. Only then will it loosen the stubborn adhesive. You can apply a little more solvent if required.
And then finally, peel off that transfer. Scrape it using a knife. Applying additional heat at such times is also very helpful. To accelerate the process!

How to Remove Heat Transfer Vinyl Using Steam and Heat

Photo credit: bobvila.com

1
Place your shirt on any flat surface. But the surface should not be heat-sensitive. I’m thinking an ironing board or table top.
2
Inside this shirt, place a small towel or rag. This goes a long way in preventing potential damage. If not that, then cardboard or plywood is good too.
3
Go through the care instructions of your garment. So you know how much heat is suitable for the procedure. Don’t go beyond the mentioned heat settings.
4
Now it’s time to heat that transfer. With the help of your hairdryer set at the highest. Hold the thing close to encourage the adhesive of the design to become malleable. Once that happens, removal is easy.
5
If you don’t own a hairdryer, how about using steam instead? Soak a towel in hot water and place it on top of the transfer. Then place your iron at its highest setting over this. It works just as effectively as any hairdryer.
6
Then, using the knife, scrape off all the loosened patches of transfer.
7
You might have to repeat the process to eliminate the vinyl design completely. It’s a slow process, to be honest. So don’t lose your patience along the way.

How to Remove Matte and Glitter Heat Transfer Vinyl

how-to-remove-matte-glitter-heat-transfer-vinyl

Cutting the heat transfer vinyl and then pressing the design. Does that sound like an easy job? I don’t think so. Mistakes are a huge part of the whole experience. Especially when dealing with matte and glitter heat transfer vinyl.

But there’s no need to panic once you realize you’ve made an error. The mistake is not irreversible. However, fixing the mess does demand a little bit of patience though. But you can correct your mistake. Even if that means undoing a spelling mistake or getting rid of a stray heat transfer vinyl piece!

Your iron, at such times, offers the best solution. So how about I tell you the method of removing matte and glitter heat transfer vinyl!

The supplies include an iron, tweezers, and your shirt gone wrong. About the iron; you can use any model. Just make sure that steam is not a part of the picture.

And I would like to add a pro tip here. Start the iron on the lowest setting and then gradually increase it. Keep increasing until that adhesive begins to loosen.

Removing the Matte Version of Heat Transfer Vinyl

Photo credit: happycrafters.com

The process is pretty much the same as the ones described above. Turn the garment inside out and then place your iron on top of the part that you wish to correct. Or you can also hold the hot iron between the two layers of your shirt. The letters or bits of design that require attention should be right on top of the heated plate of the iron.

Then with the help of tweezers, pull away from the heat transfer vinyl. It’s that easy!

Removing the Gillter Version of Heat Transfer Vinyl

how-to-remove-glitter-heat-transfer-vinyl

Photo credit: uscutter.com

Once again, hold your iron between the two layers of your shirt. Since it’s hot, the iron will loosen up the glitter vinyl adhesive. So you can quite easily use the tweezers to pull the mistake away. Like it was never there!

Conclusion

Photo credit: uprightandcaffeinated.com

Mistakes are common. When crafting on your own, they tend to happen a lot. So don’t get frustrated. As most of these errors can be rectified! You just need to have basic correcting skills, and some patience.

Don’t forget to get rid of the leftover glue after removing heat transfer vinyl. You can rub alcohol or use any adhesive remover for the task.

So now you know how to remove heat transfer vinyl. I have discussed as many as 3 quick and easy techniques. Based on what you have available, you can select one. And if you got any more to offer, the comments section is right there waiting for you.

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