REMOVING
FLOCK PRINTING.
Step-by-step guidance for removing flock namesets, patches and sponsors using a suitable removal solvent while reducing the risk of damage to your football shirt.
USE REMOVAL SOLVENT
WITH CARE.
Flock removal solvents are chemical products and may be highly flammable. Take the correct precautions before working on your football shirt and always follow the instructions supplied with the solvent you are using.
KEEP SOLVENT AWAY FROM HEAT & IGNITION SOURCES
Many transfer-removal solvents are highly flammable. Work in a well-ventilated area, keep the product away from ignition sources and follow all safety instructions provided by the manufacturer.
TEST THE SOLVENT FIRST
Apply a tiny amount to an inconspicuous area of the shirt before starting. Check for colour bleeding, staining, changes to the finish or other damage.
VENTILATE THE WORKSPACE
Use the solvent in a well-ventilated area and follow any ventilation requirements specified by the manufacturer.
PROTECT YOURSELF
Wear suitable protective gloves and avoid skin and eye contact. Follow any additional personal protection instructions supplied with your particular solvent.
PROTECT YOUR WORK AREA
Work on a clean, suitable surface. Place a clean white cloth, paper towel or other absorbent material beneath the flock printing before applying solvent.
WATCH SURROUNDING PRINTS
Prevent solvent from spreading onto sponsors, badges, patches, namesets or other printed areas that you want to preserve.
FOLLOW THE PRODUCT INSTRUCTIONS
Contact times and safety requirements vary between removal products. Follow the manufacturer's instructions rather than assuming one method or waiting time applies to every solvent.
DO NOT PUT A SOLVENT-TREATED SHIRT STRAIGHT ONTO A HEAT PRESS
The solvent must be properly removed and the garment must be completely dry before it is exposed to heat or replacement printing is applied.
Removing old flock may reveal a visible shadow or outline where the original printing was positioned. This can be caused by residual adhesive, but it may also be the result of the surrounding fabric fading differently over time. Not every shadow can necessarily be removed.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Have everything ready before you begin. Flock removal is best approached gradually, so keep your tools and fresh cloths within reach.
REMOVAL SOLVENT
A suitable flock or heat-transfer removal solvent that is compatible with the fabric you are working with.
PROTECTIVE GLOVES
Wear suitable protective gloves when handling the solvent and follow any additional safety guidance from the manufacturer.
TWEEZERS
Useful for carefully lifting an edge of the flock once the adhesive has started to release.
CLEAN WHITE CLOTHS
Use clean white cloths or paper towel beneath the printing and for blotting loosened adhesive during removal.
SAFE, WELL-VENTILATED WORKSPACE
Work on a clean, protected surface in a well-ventilated area, away from heat, flames and other ignition sources.
Once you begin, work in small sections. Having fresh cloths, tweezers and everything else nearby makes it easier to work carefully without rushing.
HOW TO REMOVE
FLOCK PRINTING
Work slowly and progressively. Whether you're removing a nameset, patch or sponsor, give the solvent time to break down the adhesive and never force flock away from the shirt.
TEST THE SOLVENT
Apply a tiny amount of solvent to an inconspicuous area of the shirt before starting.
TURN THE SHIRT INSIDE OUT
Turn the shirt inside out and lay it flat with the flock printing facing downwards onto a clean white cloth or absorbent towel.
WORK FROM THE INSIDE
Apply a small amount of solvent directly to the reverse of the fabric behind the letter, number, patch or sponsor you are working on.
GIVE THE SOLVENT TIME
Allow the solvent to penetrate the fabric and begin breaking down the adhesive bond.
GENTLY STRETCH THE FABRIC
With the shirt still inside out, carefully stretch and flex the fabric around the transfer.
TURN RIGHT-SIDE OUT & LIFT THE FLOCK
Turn the shirt right-side out. Using tweezers or your fingers, carefully lift an edge of the flock and peel it away slowly.
REAPPLY SOLVENT WHERE NEEDED
Work through the printing progressively rather than saturating the entire area. Apply additional solvent only behind sections that are still resisting.
REMOVE REMAINING GLUE RESIDUE
Once the flock material has been removed, you may still see adhesive residue or an outline where the printing was positioned.
REPEAT IF REQUIRED
Older flock may require several applications before the material and adhesive release sufficiently.
WASH & DRY THE SHIRT
Once you're satisfied with the removal, wash the shirt thoroughly according to its care label to remove solvent and adhesive residue. Allow it to dry completely before deciding whether any further treatment is required.
After removing older flock, you may still see a visible outline or “shadow” where the original printing was positioned. Some of this may be residual adhesive, but the fabric underneath the original printing may also have faded differently from the exposed shirt over time. A visible shadow does not necessarily mean more solvent is needed.
COMMON MISTAKES
Flock removal can take patience, particularly on older shirts. Avoid these common mistakes when removing namesets, patches and sponsors.
USING TOO MUCH SOLVENT
Saturating the shirt does not necessarily make flock easier to remove and can increase the chance of solvent spreading through the fabric.
FORCING STUBBORN FLOCK
If the flock is resisting, don't pull harder. Return to the reverse of the shirt and allow more solvent to work on the adhesive.
SCRAPING THE ADHESIVE
Aggressively scraping glue residue can damage the surface of the shirt. Loosen the adhesive gradually and blot it onto a clean cloth instead.
CHASING A FABRIC SHADOW
A visible outline after removal isn't always leftover adhesive. On older shirts, the covered fabric may have faded differently from the surrounding material.
IGNORING NEARBY PRINTING
Solvent can spread through the fabric and may affect sponsors, badges, patches, namesets or other printed areas you want to preserve.
APPLYING HEAT TOO SOON
Never put a solvent-treated shirt straight onto a heat press. The solvent must be removed and the garment must be completely dry before heat is applied.
PATIENCE IS SAFER THAN FORCE
Older flock may require several applications. Repeating the process gradually is safer than using excessive solvent, aggressive scraping or pulling harder.
BEFORE YOU REAPPLY.
Once the flock has been removed, the shirt needs to be thoroughly cleaned, completely dried and carefully inspected before any replacement nameset, patch or sponsor is applied.
WASH THE SHIRT
Wash the shirt thoroughly according to its care label to help remove remaining solvent and loosened adhesive from the fabric.
ALLOW TO DRY COMPLETELY
Allow the shirt to air dry naturally and completely. Do not attempt to speed up the process by placing a solvent-treated garment onto a heat press.
CHECK THE APPLICATION AREA
Inspect the area for remaining adhesive, loose flock and any signs of solvent residue before deciding whether the shirt is ready for replacement printing.
THE ORIGINAL PRINT MAY LEAVE A SHADOW
Particularly on older shirts, a visible outline may remain after the flock and adhesive have been removed. The fabric underneath the original printing may have been protected from fading while the surrounding shirt changed colour over time.
A SHADOW DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN MORE SOLVENT IS REQUIRED.DO NOT HEAT-PRESS A SOLVENT-TREATED SHIRT
Only consider applying replacement printing once the solvent has been properly removed and the garment is completely dry. Follow the safety instructions supplied with your removal solvent.
EXPLORE OUR OTHER
APPLICATION GUIDES.
Find step-by-step guidance for applying namesets, patches and sponsors, along with shirt care advice and other removal methods.
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