Removing ink/marker(?) from material

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walknonsunshine

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
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A customer brought me in a quilted/embroidered piece. On 2 of the corners there are small marks that she made with either a pen or a black marker. She asked about getting them off so we could have 1" border for framing the piece.

The fabric is light brown, cotton.

Is there anything I could use to remove this?
 
Try clear fingernail polish remover - test it on another fabric before you try it on the customers property. I would just dab it and not do any hard rubbing. I have used it and it worked well with the items I used it on. I wouldn't try it if it was a larger mark but if it is small like you said and if it is magic marker type spot it should work ok. It seems evaporate quickly and not leave a residue. I always have some around to take the printing off of glass and sometimes when there is a small manufacture spot on mat boards.
Just a thought. Joe B
 
How about using a decorative mat design with corner cuts extending inward enough to cover the marks?

Any attempt to remove the ink would be risky. Some solvents might work, but if not, the stain may become more difficult to remove, or may become permanently set. I would decline to attempt removal of the ink.
 
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Jeff - what is K2r Spot Lifter?

Jim - great suggestion as well. But I forgot to mention that she isn't matting it.

The marks are tiny but there black so they stand out against the light fabric. They are almost right up to the design.

I understand your hesitation Jim, but I might have to try the finger nail polish remover on the edge of fabric that is being wrapped under. There is about 5" extra material on the one side. Plenty of extra fabric to test for any color fastness.
 
Ok....I tested for color fastness with the nail polish remover - that was good. There is a small mark outside of my opening that is of the same ink/marker. I tried a little of the polish remover on that - it won't budge. I may have to frame right up to the border of the piece. The customer was hoping for 3/4-1" of a revel around the opening.

I've used light fluid for removing adhesive as it leaves no residue. I don't have any here at the shop tho. I may have to try that.

Jeff - where can I find the K2r Spot Lifter?
 
What kind of pen was used to make the mark? Some quilters use a pen that will wash out to mark their fabric. Some aren't so smart, and use a regular pen. If they used the wrong pen they might just have to learn that they should have been more careful. Also, did they pre-wash the fabric before quilting? If so, they would have washed out the sizing which would have helped prevent a stain in the first place. Hopefully they didn't wash it first. Sizing is a wonderful thing for preventing stains.

I remember trying to frame some pieces that had been marked with pencil. Nothing we did removed those marks, but the customer learned their lesson, and never allowed writing implements near their stitchery again.
 
walknonsunshine said:
A customer brought me in a quilted/embroidered piece. On 2 of the corners there are small marks that she made with either a pen or a black marker. She asked about getting them off so we could have 1" border for framing the piece.

The fabric is light brown, cotton.

Is there anything I could use to remove this?
Click to expand...


WD-40……..it takes out anything……try it on another sample fabric with marker.
 
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Depends on the ink, depends on the fabric, sometimes yes, more times no, solvents will almost always cause wicking and bleeding into surrounding fabric. It would be better to leave well enough alone especially since the marks are small.
 
Rebecca said:
Depends on the ink, depends on the fabric, sometimes yes, more times no, solvents will almost always cause wicking and bleeding into surrounding fabric. It would be better to leave well enough alone especially since the marks are small.
Click to expand...

Finally. That's the answer I like.

Two comments:

- I learned from The G that once you touch it, you've assumed ownership of the problem. I rejoice in telling customers: "I'm not qualified to do this".

- back in the mid-nineties I called the Magic Marker people and asked them what to use. The rep said that there was no solvent recommended to remove their black ink, so from then on, I never tried.
 
I always have believed in the saying "when in doubt, do nothing".
You didn't make the marks, so you really don't want to own them.

There have been occasions in some situations over the years where there was a problem created by someone else and I was given written permission by the client to "experiment".
I have had many successes while doing this and I have often been able to pull a rabbit out of my hat.
It has always been in a situation where I was told by the client "we have nothing to lose by trying".

I once got a group of limited edition sepia prints of Native Americans from early Arizona history.
They were unframed and had gotten damp and had large areas of black mold on them.
They were not irreplaceable and the client didn't want to send them to a conservator.
I was given permission by the client to try to get rid of the mold and restore them and frame them.
I was able to restore them to pristine original condition and mat and frame them.

Many of these techniques have been put in my brain file to be possibly used again.
I would not suggest to someone who is not experienced to "experiment".
I have been framing for 44 years and again I stress, "when in doubt, do nothing".
You won't go wrong with that attitude. :cool:
Good luck with your project. :thumbsup:
 
I would be more than a bit reluctant to try removing the marks. I doubt whether you could obliterate them completely. More likely you would end up with a bigger, slightly paler mark.

What about stitching a small motif over them to blend in with the rest of the quilt? You would have to do all four corners of course.

Just a thought........
 
Ohhh, I can see SUCH disaster possible! If you have ever tried to remove anything from cloth, you know how it will spread, and what was a small spot will become a larger spot.

. And, even if you are successful, don't tell the customer that you had success using orange juice or whatever, because if she isn't as careful as you were, she could spoil it and THEN whose fault would that be?
 
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Please remember that anything you add to paper or fabric, can cause bleaching or tidelines that will only show up, later. It is wisest to let the client do anything that may casue change in their valued items.


Hugh
 
My approach is very much like Neil's. I too have had customers with the attitude 'nothing to lose' and then I'm still hesitant to do anything. I will, after they truly understand that whatever I do, I cannot promise any results and in fact, it might get worse. I have them sign a form. I don't think legally that will mean much to be honest, but at least it stops them and makes them think.

Any spot on fabric, not knowing what it is is disaster waiting to happen. Sure, it might be not leave anything on the fabric, but spots are not all that easy to lift. By diluting it with whatever you use, you might create a bigger spot. Or rings around the original spot.

I would not make this my problem. If the customer is willing to take that risk, have them sign a form. I might simply refer them to the drycleaners though.....
 
Instead of removal of the spot, how about a little bit of pastel or a tiny drop of acrylic paint to ghost the dot, making it less obtrusive? Don't grind it in, just apply to the surface.

The pastel dust can be "erased" with compressed air, the acrylic dot can be picked off of the piece if you didn't match the color well enough.
 
walknonsunshine said:
...I forgot to mention that she isn't matting it...
Click to expand...
If a 3/4" to 1" border around the design would be desirable, then a mat could serve a similar purpose. That would be my first suggestion.

If you feel you must "do something" to the fabric, Jeff's suggestion of K2-R Spot Lifter is reasonable, since it is made for the purpose and its residue remaining in the fibers would be unlikely to harm the fabric over time. However, you mentioned using fingernail paint remover, and another respondent suggested using WD-40. Neither of those chemical concoctions is intended for use on fabric, and I would be concerned about the consequences of chemical residue remaining in the fabric over time. Weakening of the fibers? Discoloration? Who knows?
 
It will make you all feel better that I've chosen to take the advice of the experts and do nothing. I have enough anexity in my life without having to worry if I'm going to wreck a customers project. If it were being matted I could hide it with a corner mat design but that is not the case. This will hopefully be a lesson learned for the customer to use products designed for such projects.

Love you guys & gals - so grateful for you..:)

Sunshine
 
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I like Ylva's comment about signing a a waiver. If they haven't considered the gravity of what they ask, then having to sign something legal usually brings it home.

Applies to a lot of "can't you just" situations. ;)
 
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