Defunct telecoms logo is sooo passé.

July 27, 2009 10:37 AM

How do I remove (can I?) a screen-printed logo from a vinyl (?) bag?

I'm talking about the kind of promotional bags you get everywhere, at conferences, from companies, etc. Generic cheap tote or duffle bag stitched with some sort of polymer-based thread, I guess -- with the company logo printed on in some kind of ink or paint.

Here are some generic examples from Google Images:
Bag 1
Bag 2

I have this great bag, very functional, but it has this honkin' awful logo from a telecoms company on one side. It's not really a big deal, but this would be one sweet tote if it were just plain black.

The image is really "burned in" to the material, so it's not something you can really pick away at. I was wondering if there is some kind of..... solvent or something that will peel this thing off.

posted by softsantear to clothing, beauty, & fashion (9 comments total)

Oh, and I realize that getting a pre-inked generic Chinese-made bag from a wholesaler would be an easy shortcut, but that's not really my question. Besides, the dimensions of this tote are unique enough that I don't want to go crazy hunting down the same type.
posted by softsantear at 10:39 AM on July 27

If it's just a sort of vinyl applique, gentle heat might do it along with some fingernail scratching, provided that it's not so hot that the fabric underneath is damaged. I'd be wary of solvents.
posted by jquinby at 10:58 AM on July 27

If you can't remove it, maybe you could cover it? (e.g. have your own design printed on a piece of fabric of proper dimensions and stitch it on top)
posted by LolaGeek at 11:01 AM on July 27

Or you (or an artistic friend) could paint something cool over it with fabric paint.
posted by LolaGeek at 11:02 AM on July 27

For regular tote bags you can use them inside out. But if it has a pocket on the outside or somehow more complicated, this might not work.
posted by Gor-ella at 11:39 AM on July 27

I think that the heat + using a key to scrape off bits of it is working. It is extremely tedious, though, and it looks like it might leave a ghosted image unless I really get all of the residue off. Thanks!
posted by softsantear at 11:39 AM on July 27

I used this: http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewing/June-Tailor-Quick-Fuse-Iron-on-Fabric-Sheets-Pack-of-3/3319051/product.html , plus a color inkjet, to cover up the logo on a bag that I had. This stuff rules.
posted by Citrus at 12:20 PM on July 27

maybe try the potent, but foul-smelling nail polish remover?
posted by bunny hugger at 2:30 PM on July 27 [1 favorite]

Not really worth buying since it's pretty expensive, but maybe you can find someone who does screening and they'll let you have some...

spot cleaner

Also, it only works on plastisol inks which it most likely is, but it might not be.
posted by teishu at 3:55 PM on July 27