Buzz
A swift and straightforward guide to concealing and eliminating logos from clothing
There exist numerous valid reasons for removing a logo. If you enjoy expressing yourself through your attire, there are numerous patches available that offer a more appealing alternative to corporate logos. Even if you're indifferent to the aesthetics of the logo, a company or designer emblem serves as free advertising, and many individuals prefer not to be adorned with corporate symbols. If you possess a stylish work shirt, removing the logo enables you to transform it into a versatile garment suitable for any occasion. The most effective way to fully conceal a logo is by employing a patch or appliqué, which is a thin fabric piece commonly used in knitting and crafting. Alternatively, you can opt to remove the logo from the clothing.
Essential Information
- Apply a patch over your clothing's logo either by sewing or ironing. This allows you to substitute the logo with a new design of your preference!
- Utilize a seam ripper to undo the seams securing the logo onto your clothes. Turn your garments inside out and eliminate any remaining threads.
- Iron over rubber or plastic logos for 45-60 seconds. Use your fingers or tweezers to carefully peel the logo off the material.
Procedure
Using a Patch for Concealment
Acquire a patch to cover and conceal the logo. Any sufficiently large patch can effectively hide a logo. You can utilize a patch from your existing collection or purchase a unique one online. Opt for an iron-on patch for easy attachment to your clothing. If you possess sewing skills, any type of patch will suffice for covering the logo.
Alternative: Purchase an applique if you prefer a less bulky option for your attire. An applique serves as a thinner alternative to patches, ideal for customizing clothing without adding bulk.
Position your patch directly over the logo. Lay your garment flat and place the patch or applique directly atop the logo. Ensure symmetrical alignment of the patch with the top and bottom edges of your clothing. Use the fabric's seams as guides to gauge alignment accuracy.
- You can opt for an angled attachment if desired, eliminating the need for precise alignment.
- For heat-activated patches, perform this step on an ironing board.
Apply heat to affix the patch, if applicable. When using an iron-on patch, insert a piece of cardboard beneath the fabric and cover the patch with a clean pillowcase. Set your iron to medium heat and allow it to warm up for 15-30 seconds. Then, glide the iron over the patch while applying pressure. Move the iron back and forth evenly to heat the fabric. Maintain this process for 45-60 seconds to activate the adhesive and securely attach the patch to the clothing.
- Allow the patch to air dry for 3-5 minutes to ensure proper adhesion to the fabric.
Hand Stitch the patch over the logo if you prefer manual sewing. Secure the patch and clothing with 2-3 sewing pins. Thread a sewing needle with stitching thread, securing it with a knot. Guide the needle through the back of the patch and repeat the process through the front. Continue stitching around the patch until it's firmly attached.
- Secure the thread with a knot or leave it loose at the end.
- Stitch just inside the patch's edge to avoid the visible stitches along the patch's borders. This is especially important for appliques.
Utilize a sewing machine if available. Pin the patch and clothing together with 2-3 sewing pins. Thread the sewing machine and position the patch under the needle. Operate the machine to stitch the patch onto the clothing, rotating it until fully attached.
- Trim excess thread upon completion.
- Any stitching pattern can be used; a running stitch is recommended for simplicity.
Eliminating Embroidery
Use a seam ripper to remove the embroidery. This tool features a sharp blade and two prongs to facilitate stitch removal. It's available online or in craft stores.
- Check your sewing kit for a seam ripper.
- Seam rippers typically cost $3-5.
- Prior to use, check for stitches on the garment's reverse side. If absent, alternative removal methods may be necessary, such as using acetone to dissolve adhesive.
Assess fabric damage potential near the logo. Non-porous fabric may sustain damage during logo removal. To test, gently poke the fabric beside the logo with the seam ripper's long prong. A lack of damage indicates safe removal, while damage suggests potential harm.
Important Note: Removing embroidery from leather or vinyl fabrics will likely cause damage, whereas it's generally safe on cotton.
Use the long prong of the seam ripper to cut individual stitches. Secure the fabric and gently insert the prong beneath the embroidery. Carefully maneuver the ripper to sever the stitches without damaging the underlying fabric. Repeat this process for each section of the logo.
- For intricate or large logos, this process may be time-consuming as each stitch needs to be cut.
Turn the garment inside out and remove the threads. Flip the clothing and pull the threads from the back of the logo. The torn threads from the front will easily come out as you pluck them. If the threads are tightly woven and difficult to grip, use the small prong of the seam ripper or tweezers to assist.
- Tweezers can also aid in thread removal.
Erasing Prints
Debond rubber or plastic logos using heat and manual peeling. Dampen a pillowcase and place it over the logo. Set your iron to medium heat and press it onto the covered logo. After heating for 45-60 seconds, remove the iron and pillowcase. Rub the logo firmly with your finger pad to peel it off gradually.
- If the logo adheres strongly, apply additional heat and retry. Some logos may require multiple attempts.
- Discerning between rubber, vinyl, and plastic can be challenging. Generally, rubber and plastic logos reflect light, unlike some vinyl logos.
Utilize 100% acetone to dissolve vinyl logos. Obtain a bottle of pure, 100% acetone. Wear nitrile or rubber gloves and place your clothing in a tub or sink. Pour acetone over the logo until fully saturated. Allow 1-2 minutes for the acetone to penetrate the fabric. Then, rub and peel the logo off using your fingers. Wash the clothing afterward to remove any residual acetone.
- Nail polish remover with less than 100% acetone may suffice, but pure acetone yields superior results.
- To identify a vinyl logo, feel its surface. If it feels smooth and appears to rest atop the fabric, it's likely vinyl.
Caution: Removing logos using this method may damage surrounding printed images or letters on the clothing. However, the fabric itself should remain unharmed.
Extract an old, peeling logo using tweezers. When logos deteriorate over time, tweezers are effective regardless of the material. Grasp an edge of the logo with tweezers and pull it upward. Expect the logo to peel off in sections, and continue until fully removed.
Recommendations
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A pin-back button can serve as a logo cover, though it may not lie flush with the clothing, depending on material and logo size. Nonetheless, it provides a quick and viable solution for logo concealment.
Essential Supplies
Concealing Logos with a Patch
- Patch or applique
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Cloth
- Thread
- Sewing needle or sewing machine
Eliminating Embroidered Logos
- Seam ripper
- Tweezers (optional)
Removing Printed Logos
- Acetone
- Iron
- Pillowcase
- Tweezers
