A graphite‐based ion‐imprinted polymer (G‐IIP) was synthesized using the surface‐printing technique. Allylthiourea was used as the functional monomer, nitrate as the template, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinker. The polymers were characterized, and the adsorption capacity was tested. The binding ability of G‐IIP was nearly twice higher than that of the graphite‐non‐imprinted polymer (G‐NIP). The adsorption of G‐IIP followed the Freundlich isotherm and the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic. G‐IIP showed good removal efficiency of nitrate ions in actual wastewater samples with 85 % recovery. Overall, the fabricated G‐IIP would be a potential adsorbent for wastewater treatment.