5 Tips to Remove Tagless Labels from Clothing (#3 is easiest)

Nowadays, tagless labels have increasingly gained ground on clothes and replaced traditional tag labels. For some people, such labels become a nuisance, thus the need for removal. However, removing them isn’t easy and might require some skills. 

You can use several methods to remove labels from clothing, including acetone, vinegar, or using iron.

Keep reading to understand how to get rid of tagless labels from clothing. Let’s get started!

1 – Using Vinegar

Vinegar is among the most commonly available solutions in the market.

For a long time, it has been helpful in effectively removing printed labels from different cloth materials. Generally, you can employ it on almost all clothing materials, including wool, silk, and cotton. 

To effectively use vinegar, apply it uniformly on the intended area until you notice all the ink disappearing.

Finally, rinse your clothing in cold water mixed with a reliable detergent. 

2 – Using An Iron

This method is applicable for heat-transferred tagless labels. You’ll require an iron box, a scraper, and spare towels for this approach. 

First, put your cloth on a table or countertop. The surface should be large enough to accommodate the clothing and give you enough room to work. 

Have a towel inside your clothing to prevent ink residue from staining it. Wet another towel and place it over the label. 

You can start ironing the clothing over the label area. We recommend setting the temperature to about 149 °C. However, do not exceed your clothing’s temperature or heat tolerance. 

There might be some stubborn areas that should be removed with a scraper. 

3 – Using Acetone

This involves using either nail polish or acetone, known for dissolving ink. It’s the easiest approach of all the available solutions. Acetone is also available cheaply, either in physical or online stores.

First, test your acetone on a small area of your clothing. This enables you to determine whether the solvent damages your clothing or not before committing to use it.

If the acetone is okay, apply it on the tagless label, ensuring it becomes damp. This will make it easier to remove the label.  

Allow the solvent to settle on the label for about 15 minutes undisturbed. You can then use tweezers to gently rub the label off. Apply another layer of the solvent if the tagless label fails to come off completely.  

4 – Using Sugar Scrub

Here, sugar, a readily available product in almost every homestead, is used. Therefore, it is a cheaper alternative to using acetone. It offers the best results, especially with new clothing designs. 

You’ll require a soft cloth and some sugar to start the process. You can then spread your cloth on a level surface and sprinkle some sugar on the label. Rub the sugar over the label until the ink is removed. 

Finally, wash your clothing in cold water. Repeat the process if the label is not fully removed. 

5 – Glue Residue

With this option, you apply glue on the label you want to remove. This is followed by putting the clothing with glue in a freezer. Once it’s frozen, removing glue from the clothing becomes easy. 

Take your clothing from the freezer and remove glue patches using a pair of tweezers. If you don’t have tweezers, you can still use your hands.

We recommend rubbing dish soap on the clothing to remove excess glue. After this, you can wash and dry your clothing.  

If you notice super sticky spots, use rubbing alcohol to remove them. 

3 Methods Used for Tagless Label Printing

By now, you’re aware of how to get rid of labels on your clothing. But how do these labels find their way on the clothing?

There are at least three technologies used to print tagless labels on clothing. Let’s consider the following:

Heat Transfer Printing

For this option, heat is used to press images on either vinyl or paper onto a piece of clothing. It’s by far the cheapest and easiest option available. It’s commonly popular with smaller brands. 

One benefit of this option is its ability to produce high-quality prints. People love it since it’s eco-friendly. 

However, the labels aren’t highly durable, especially when you wash your clothing more often. 

Screen Printing

With screen printing, ink goes through a stencil to be printed on your clothing. Your label will last longer than other options since it involves pure ink. Additionally, the labels will feel softer compared to the other alternatives. 

Unlike the heat transfer printing option, which is popular with smaller brands, screen printing is cost-effective for larger productions. However, the technology requires a larger initial investment to run.

Pad Printing

Here, ink is printed on some silicone pad and pressed on clothing. It works as though the label is stamped directly on the cloth. 

It has become popular thanks to being energy-efficient. Additionally, it presents a fast printing process. 

However, the technology is somehow expensive to set up. The ink also takes longer to dry and cure.   

Conclusion

Tagless labels are slowly replacing traditional clothing tags. However, they also present some nuisance, forcing users to remove them from their clothes. 

As mentioned, there are several options to choose from while removing labels from clothing, including using vinegar, acetone, iron, glue residue, and sugar scrub. Always select an affordable option that you’re well familiar with. 

Let nothing prevent you from feeling comfortable in your clothing. 

Sources

Essential Guide to Tagless Labels on Garments | ASPE Printing Technologies

Heat Transfer Printing | Custom Thermal Printing | The Funky Peach