The Upholstery Forum

At an upholstery course I was told to use Sharpie to mark the back of the vinyl I’m using and was given a purple sharpie. It’s now bleeding through to the front of the fabric - any tips in the best way to minimise or remove the damage?

Replace that piece. Never use sharpie on the vinyl. Use a pencil, space pen, chalk, china marker. But never sharpie or any kind of permanent marker, they will only cause problems on a finished piece.

Have to agree with Mike on this one.

I've had good results using sharpies on foam but stay away from it on the vinyl.

The Sharpie
i find using a pen or chalk is so much better doing patterns sharpies tend to spread out , can make a pattern not turn out right. I believe that is one of the first things John teaches not to use cause it will bleed through eventually..

Thanks all, I've definitely learned not to use Sharpie again, but I was more after advice on removal if anyone has also made the same mistake and knows of something that might work or reduce the appearance of it - sounds like it might be impossible though.

The only thing I know that is effective on sharpie ink is acetone.

If you want to try it, either do it on a scrap piece first or a part that wont be seen as it could make a bad situation worse.

I think though, since the ink has bleed through, you're probably fighting a losing battle.

@John, thus why in your seat building course you advise not to use ink.

Lysol disinfectant spray will remove it. Funny, I know, but it does take it off and less toxic.

Aersol?

Yes. I learned this by mistake.

You have to completely remove the ink reservoir or it will continue to bleed even if you were to color over it is will bleed through the color. Sharpie is removable with Isopropyl alcohol, but again will continue to bleed until all of the ink is removed.