Are you trying to find the best heat press machine 2024 has to offer?
With countless options of heat press machines on the market in 2024, it can be overwhelming to find a top rated heat press that will fulfill all your heat transfer design needs.
A hot press machine is a necessary investment if you wish to produce professional quality graphic designed products.
Whether you wish to have a machine for hobby use or if you want a best heat press machine for small business; you need a machine that will allow you complete your projects in minimal time.
Find below the top 10 best heat press reviews or simply grab the best option by clicking on the links below.
Comparison Chart of the Top 10 Heat Press Machines in 2024
Below is a comparison chart of the top 10 heat press machines, which are mentioned in this article.
You can then read my reviews below featuring the best heat presses 2024 has to offer.
Best Heat Press Machine for Beginners
According to our community, the best starter heat press and the best heat press machine for home use is most definitely the very popular HTVRONT Auto Press machine.
It is our best selling machine.
This machine has been designed as a hobby machine and is super easy to use but can even be used for small business owners.
The auto clamshell design simplifies the pressing process and the electronic time and heat control which allows for precise time set-up.
The machine is a brilliant machine and comes at a great budget price! From our experience, it is the best t-shirt heat press for home use and the best home heat press for vinyl!
If you are a beginner, you will love this one. It is our pick as the best vinyl heat press for beginners!
Best Heat Press to Buy If You Can Afford It
We definitely think that the best heat press currently on the market to buy (and if you can afford the slightly hefty price tag) is the very sleek and innovative Cricut AutoPress 15'x12' Heat Press.
This machine has been designed for both business and hobbyist users in mind as it has great commercial power packaged in a super sleek design.
It is Cricut's latest and is the most advanced heat press ever! It offers auto-assisted, hands-free pressing so you can make more in less time.
It also opens automatically when the required pressing time has been reached, so there is no need for you to hang around when pressing.
This machine is a brilliant heat press machine producing professional quality results however it does come with quite a hefty price tag compared to other commercial presses on the market.
If you value convenience and ease highly then you will love this one. It is our pick as the best heat press to buy if you can afford it!
The Top 10 Heat Press Machine Reviews
Below you will find the best heat press machines. We will have a close look at the top 10 presses and outline which one we believe to be the best heat press of 2024.
I will outline the top features, the pros and cons of each, as well as give you an indication of the average heat press machine price.
We suggest you purchase the best rated heat press machine that you can afford to buy.
1. HTVRONT Autopress Heat Press Review (Best 15x15 Heat Press)
15 x 15 Auto Clamshell Heat Press Review | Sublimation
Our Pick: Best Heat Press for Beginners
The HTVRONT Auto Heat Press is a top-of-the-line machine when it comes to durability, quality, and ease of use.
It is a 15x15 heat press machine which is perfect for those wishing to work on large projects.
The one feature that makes this heat press so unique and that we personally love is the nifty auto operation to close the machine when ready to press and the auto-release when the pressing cycle is complete - so clever and makes the HTVRONT auto heat press so easy to use!
The HTVRONTAuto Heat Press Machine takes the guesswork out of heat printing as auto-adjusts the pressing pressure when using materials up to 1 in (2.5 cm) thick.
It has a safety feature that turns the machine off when it has not been used for 10 minutes.
We love how all it takes is using one button to start the pressing cycle.
It is also very easy to adjust temperature and time on this auto heat press with the easy-to-use and follow digital display and control panel.
PROS:
- Auto-open and close feature prevents over-application
- Digital temperature which you can set to the degree of accuracy
- Edge-to-edge even heat distribution
- Heats up quickly
CONS:
- Automatic switch off safety feature only works after 30 minutes of non use.
OUR VERDICT:
The automatic HTVRONT heat press is one of the world's most innovative machines.
It is a best selling heat press machine for t shirts and a hot favorite machine for those who operate a business.
Despite the slightly higher price of the machine; the machine is a small investment as it is guaranteed to last you for many years to come!
2. TUSY Digital Sublimation Heat Press Review (Best 15x15 Heat Press)
15 x 15 Clamshell Heat Press Review | Sublimation
Our Pick: Best Heat Press for Beginners
The TUSY 15x15" Clam Shell heat press is very similar to the Power Press and Gecko machines!
In our opinion, this machine is a great machine for those who wish to use it on a hobby basis.
However if you are operating a small business, we suggest you invest in one of the Hotronix machines.
Clam Shell machines are great if you are limited in space and need a machine that is portable.
We are also glad to see that there is a digital time and temperature display for accurate and precise timing, a Teflon coated heat platen, as well as a great silicon rubber base.
PROS:
- Great size, space-saver and portable
- Digital time and temperature display
- Set it up in around 5-10 min
- Detailed instructions included on how to set up and use
CONS:
OUR VERDICT:
The TUSY 15x15" Heat Press Vinyl Machine is a fabulous choice when it comes to machines that are affordable and durable. This machine makes applying vinyl to shirts a breeze.
Those who are starting out with heat pressing with truly love and enjoy this easy-to-setup and easy-to-use machine.
For those who are running a small business, we recommend you invest in a swing-away machine in order to get the even pressure that you would be after.
3. Cricut AutoPress Review
15x12 Heat Press | Clamshell | Sublimation
The Cricut AutoPress is latest heat press in the Cricut range of presses.
It is one of the most innovative heat presses now available in the heat press market and is a great option for those who are specifically after an easy-to-use clam shell press machine.
We are so in love with the features and modern design of the Cricut AutoPress.
It has Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly connect to the Cricut Heat App which then automatically sets the temperature and time for you based on the materials used.
Pressing with the AutoPress is hassle free as the press automatically adjusts the pressure for materials up to 2 in (5 cm) thick.
There is no need for any muscle power and strength when closing this press as it is easy to close by simply using two fingers! The Cricut AutoPress automatically opens when the required time has been reached.
Despite the clamshell design, the machine can be stored standing up on its base when not in use giving you a clear workspace.
The Cricut AutoPress features a 15″ x 12″ ceramic-coated heat plate that evenly distributes the heat.
The temperature range reaches 400°F (205°C) with edge-to-edge heating, allowing you to transfer heat transfer vinyl, Infusible Ink, and sublimation designs to a variety of different materials.
The even heat and high-temperature capability provide professional results each time and in no time at all, you will get high-quality transfers that can withstand multiple washes.
It is a standalone machine so you cannot work with items such as mugs or caps.
If you wish to work with these items, we would suggest that you have a look at our multipurpose machines instead.
This is one of the best heat presses on the market however the downside to this machine is the slightly hefty price tag compared to other non-commercial heat press machines on the market.
PROS:
- Clamshell Heat Press 15x12" in size
- Manually set both time & temperature using the control pod
- Automatically adjusts pressure for materials up to 2 in (5cm) thick
- Sleek, compact design
- Ceramic coated heat plate with edge to edge heat transfer
- Automatically opens when the press time has been reached
- Heats up to 400 °F (205 °C)
- Delivers professional results
CONS:
- The cost of the machine is quite a lot more compared to other non-commercial heat press machines
- Standalone machine
OUR VERDICT:
The Cricut AutoPress 15 x 12" heat press machine offers exceptional quality with very little effort required from you.
It is one of the best heat press machines to buy if you can afford it.
4. Slendor 8 in 1 Heat Press Machine Review
Swing Away Design| 15 x 15" Heat Press
Our Pick: Best 8 in 1 Heat Press
The Slendor 8 in 1 Heat Press Machine is a great machine for those who want to purchase a 15 x 15" machine at the mid-way point between a hobby and professional machine.
The Slendor 8 in 1 Digital Transfer Sublimation Heat Press allows you to print your attractive designs on different surfaces.
It is specially made to print on assorted surfaces like T-shirts, mugs, coasters, mouse pads, ceramic plates, caps, lettering, fabrics & materials, jigsaw puzzles, etc.
We love how easy and reliable the digital time and temperature control of the heat press is.
This is a very solid machine that has been built from steel frames to allow for heavy duty use. It also has a special thickened heating plate which makes the printing faster and steadier.
PROS:
- Swing-arm heat press for precision work
- Solid build
- Precision heating and time control
- Rubber grip for ease of use
- Changeable multi-spring balancer
- Platen is Teflon-coated
- Temperature range 0 - 482ºF (0 - 250ºC)
CONS:
OUR VERDICT:
The Slendor 8 in 1 Heat Press Machine is a great multipurpose machine. It is sturdier and stronger than the other multi combo machines on our list. It is easy to use, heats up fast and has good pressure.
It is a top rated, popular multipurpose press. It is perfect for beginners and for for those who use the press for hobby or small-business (like Etsy) purposes.
5. PowerPress HPM Heat Press Review
15x15 Heat Press | Clamshell
Our Pick: Best Heat Press for T-Shirt use
The Power Press Heat Press is one of our most popular 15x15" heat presses.
It is a digital heat press that operates as a clamshell type machine. It has an LCD screen where you can set your temperature and timing digitally.
It is a truly versatile, reliable and amazingly affordable machine.
The PowerPress is a fabulous machine for those who have an interest in working with t-shirts, sweatpants, canvas bags, to puzzles and so much more!
Of course it has a Teflon coated heating plate which is fabulous for those of us who work with vinyl. Heat is dispersed evenly.
The PowerPress a fabulous temperature range of 0 - 450 F and timer settings from 0 - 999 sec.
We love the individual safety control chip, one of the very few heat press machines that we see with this feature.
One small negative is that the machine is manual operated (all machines at this price-point are).
But if you are doing a few jobs the manual labor can get a bit tiring.
PROS:
- Clamshell Heat Press 15x15" in size
- Budget friendly and easy to use
- LCD control board: fully digital temperature and time control
- Individual safety control chip
- Heats fast and evenly
- Teflon coated heat plate
- Electronic temperature (0-450F) and timer (0-999sec)
- Teflon sheet included
CONS:
- Manual machine (automatic presses are a lot more expensive)
- Instructions of use are pretty useless
- Customer service could be better
OUR VERDICT:
Our community has titled the PowerPress Industrial-Quality Digital 15-by-15-Inch as the best heat press for T-Shirt designs.
Whilst we highly recommend this press for home-users, we know of a few small business owners that use the PowerPress and who are very happy with its performance.
The machine offers you versatility, and reliability, all for an incredibly affordable price.
6. Fancierstudio Heat Press Review
15x15 Heat Press | Clamshell | Sublimation
The FancierStudio Heat Press is one of the most in-demand heat presses for those who are specifically after an easy-to-use shirt press machine.
This top selling 15 x 15 heat press is a digital heat press machine that operates as a clam shell types machine. It is compact and relatively lightweight.
We love that the Power Press Industrial Heat Press has a handy Electronic time and Heat control which allows for precise time set-up. It is also our choice as the best t shirt press.
The 1800-watt element, of the Power Heat Press 15 x 15" Machine, can heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and distribute the heat quickly and evenly.
We have found that the silicone gel baseboard is perfect to generate the desired pressure for transfers, whilst the pressure adjustable system allows you to tweak the pressure needed for materials of various thicknesses.
The Power Press machine might just possibly be the best starter heat press, and it is also brilliant for those operating a small heat press business.
It is versatile in its ability to transfer images on t-shirts, ceramic tiles, jigsaw puzzles, garments and bags.
It is a standalone machine and the best heat press for t shirts and vinyl; so if you wish to work with items such as mugs, caps and thicker materials, we do suggest you have a look at our multipurpose machines instead.
PROS:
- Clamshell Heat Press 15x15" in size
- Budget friendly and easy to use
- Spacious platform
- Heavy duty steel frame
- Heats fast and evenly
- Heat and warp resistant
- Compact and space-saving
- Non-stick surface and heat platen
- Electronic temperature (0-500F) and timer (0-999sec)
CONS:
- Product availability is pretty sporadic
- Not available for shipping in some countries
- Customer service could be better
OUR VERDICT:
The Fancierstudio Industrial Quality Digital 15 by 15" machine offers top notch quality for incredible value.
This particular model is highly reliable and will offer you the industrial build that you can trust will last you for many years to come.
If you can find this top rated heat press machine in stock, we suggest you snap it up ASAP.
7. Tusy Heat Press Review
15x15 Heat Press Machine | Swing Away | Sublimation
The 15 x 15" swing away shell Tusy Heat Sublimation Heat Press Machine is another fabulous choice due to its versatility in combination with a budget-friendly price tag.
We love this machine for personal home use, as it offers all the advanced features you require, but with an easy-to-use interface.
The Tusy Heat Press Machine has a full-range pressure adjustment knob which is perfect for those that wish to work with a range of thickness in material.
The press has a temperature range from 0-482ºF which is great for home users but could be limiting for small-business owners.
We love the large work surface and found it really easy to use and can recommend it for any hobby-user.
PROS:
CONS:
OUR VERDICT:
The Tusy vinyl heat press machine is a top notch machine if you are after a machine for personal use!
We love all the advanced features and with the affordable price tag, this machine can be hard to resist.
8. F2C Pro 5-in-1 Combo Heat Press Review
5 in 1 Heat Press Machine Review
Swingaway | 12 x 15" Heat Press | 6 x 3" Curved Press
The F2c Pro 5 in 1 Combo Heat Press Machine is a great choice if you wish to create a wide variety of projects with your heat press.
The machine comes with a 12 X 15" tee shirt press, a 6 x 3" hat heat press, a 3 x 3.5" mug heat press, as well as 2 plate presses.
This favorite 1100-watt combo heat press machine can be used for projects such as T-shirts, caps, ceramic plates & tiles, mugs, coasters, mouse pads, jigsaw puzzles, lettering, vinyl and thicker fabrics and materials.
The thickened silicone pad and sponge pad allows for heat to distributed quickly and evenly as well as the durability of the non-stick Teflon coated platen press element.
The 360-degree swing heat press allows you to have a complete view of your layout, which means that you can work with projects that require precision placement.
We especially love its very affordable price-tag, which means that this machine is a small investment for any business.
PROS:
CONS:
- Manual isn't very helpful
OUR VERDICT:
Perfect for personal or commercial use, the F2c Pro 5 in 1 Combo Heat Press outmatches its competition in terms of quality, performance and longevity.
This machine is excellent value at a truly affordable price tag.
9. Transfer Crafts Digital Heat Press Review
Clamshell | 9 x 12" or 15 x 15" Heat Press Available
The Transfer Crafts T Shirt Heat Press Machine (available in both 9 x 12" and 15 x 15") is another great press for those into HTV projects.
Ultimately this press is exactly the same as other clam shell heat presses. It doesn't offer anything new or different, but it is a great option - especially if one of the other brands are out of stock.
The press has digital time and temperature display controls, which makes it easy for you to view the temperature and pressure at all times.
It comes with a Teflon-coated heating element and has a top-mounted pressure knob so that you can adjust the pressure in accordance with the thickness of the item you are printing on.
We love that this heat press comes fully assembled - hoorah!
PROS:
CONS:
- Doesn't lock down when pressing, so you have to keep applying pressure manually
- Loud to open and close
OUR VERDICT:
Personally I feel that the Fancierstudio Heat Press is a better buy, but for those of you who wish to test out something new to the market, the Transfer Crafts Press will be the way to go.
10. Hotronix Fusion Heat Press Review
16x20 Heat Press | Swing-Away & Draw
Our Pick: The Best Heat Transfer Machine for Business Use
The Hotronix Heat Press is a complete and total game-changer! Sure it comes at a premium price, but it is also one of the world’s most advanced and brilliant heat presses.
It has industry leading touchscreen technology and is the only heat press with a patented dual function of being able to operate as either a heat press swing away type or as a draw.
We believe this 16x20 heat press is the best commercial heat press machine on the market in 2024. It is a high quality vinyl heat press machine that comes with a massive 5 year warranty!
This Hotronics heat press has brilliant features, such as thread-ability and an option to preset unlimited programs. This all means that you can complete your heat transfers faster, which equates to more money.
The Hotronix Fusion 16x20 Heat Press is not only one of the fastest heat presses in the world, but it also one of the easiest to use.
The innovative digital touchscreen display has the:
- ability to store unlimited amounts of presets
- it contains both time and temperature settings
- it displays the current temperature, time left as well as the pressure applied to the garment.
PROS:
- Dual Function System: Swing-Away and Draw
- Industry Leading Touchscreen Technology
- Live Digital Pressure Readout
- Interchangeable Platens
- Easier to Use
- Commercial grade quality
- Premium 5 year warranty
CONS:
- Premium Price
OUR VERDICT:
If you can afford the premium price, the Hotronix Fusion Press is a brilliant buy! It is a fabulous heat press for vinyl and it offers outstanding features and top notch quality!
This is the only machine you will need for your business.
A machine that will allow you to create your heat transfers products quicker, easier and with more exact precise placing!
We absolutely love this machine, we honestly feel like it stands out way above the rest of the heat press machines on out list!
Heat Press Buying Guide
Find below some helpful information that will help you decide which of the machines listed below would be best suited for your needs.
1. Type of Machine
Different types of heat press machines serve different purposes.
Clam-Shell Designs:
- If you are a beginner and you wish to work with flat transfers such as T Shirt Transfers, then we recommend the clam shell models.
- It is time efficient and the garment layout does not require as much attention to detail.
- These machines are also typically cheaper than the swing-away or multipurpose models.
Swing-Away Designs:
- If you wish to step up the game and work with t-shirts with rhinestones, numbers and letters or sublimation printing; then I highly recommend the Swing-Away models.
- These types of jobs require precision and you need a complete view of the layout area.
2. Size, Shape and Purpose of the Machine
It is important to have a think about what your purpose is with the machine! What size do you require?
- The flat surface of a heat press is perfect for flat presses such as T shirt transfers, whilst you will require a curved press if you wish to work with mugs or caps.
- You can also find smaller heat presses for cheaper if you don't require a larger size.
- If you are after a T shirt heat press machine our recommendation is to choose between either the 14 x 16", 15 x 15" presses or the 16" x 20" models.
- Large format presses range from 16 x 24" presses, 20 x 25" and upwards.
If you can work out your purpose and the size you require, it will be much easier when it comes to selecting the right heat press for your needs.
3. Manual vs Automatic
For most of us, a manual operated heat press is all that is needed for our pressing needs.
- These machines are perfect for those who create sporadically or on a small batch basis.
- They are cheaper than automatic heat press machines
- A smarter investment if you are not planning on operating a large scale heat press business
If you will be pressing for more than 4 hours a day, then we recommend an automatic operated machine.
4. Single or Multi-Purpose Ability
If you are sticking to only one heat press product, then we highly recommend you invest in a single application model.
All the models below are brilliant for shirts or flat materials, but you can also purchase mug and cap presses on our blog posts found below:
- Find the best mug press machine here
- Find the best hat heat press here
If you know that you will be working a wide variety of products and materials you will need to purchase a multi-function model.
They have interchangeable heat platens and bottom tables.
5. Other Things to Take into Consideration
- Get the best quality heat press that you can afford.
- Look into what type of support is available with the machine
- Investigate the feedback about the heat platen. Does it distribute heat evenly?
- Ensure that the model has a digital timer.
- If you are purchasing a clam shell press, ensure that there is an adjustable force and pressure knob.
- You will need to invest in a cutter as well. You can see the best vinyl cutting machine for your heat press here.
Find our top 10 heat presses and their reviews above.
Know the Difference
Whilst it might be easy to know that you need a heat press machine, it might be more challenging to try and figure which type of machine would suit you best!
So before we hop into the heat press machine reviews, it really is important to understand the difference between the different types of machines on the market.
Draw vs Clam-shell vs Swing Away Heat Press
There are 3 types of heat presses. The difference between draw vs swing away vs clam heat press is mainly dependent on how the two heat plates move in relation to each other.
The two most popular of these types are the clam-shell and the swing away, which we will discuss below.
1. Clam-shell Heat Press
The Clam shell press basically opens and closes via a hinge and operates like a mouth.
This type of press is perfect for beginners as it is super easy to use. It is also a great choice if you wish to only work with thinner garments such as T shirts.
This machine is perfect for those who have limited space available as well as those who wish to have a more portable heat machine machine.
It is super easy to use, applies transfer quicker than the swing-away; but offers less precision than the swing away machines.
>>>Our Pick: best clam shell heat press is the HTVRONT 15 x 15" Auto Heat Press
2. Swing-Away Heat Press
The Swing Away Heat Press allows the upper platen to be swung away either clockwise or counter clockwise from the lower platen.
A big advantage of this type of heat press is that it has the ability to work with thicker materials; so if you wish to work with more than just garments, this type of machine is most likely the right one for you!
This machine also allows you to apply even pressure, as well as greater precision due to the fact that you can get a complete overview of the whole layout area with the top platen out of the way.
Due to the fact that the machine has a swing function, it takes up more space.
More advanced heat press users prefer the swing away despite the fact that it requires more steps to heat press as well as requires more time to apply the transfer.
>>>Our Pick: best swing away heat press is the Stahls Hotronix Fusion Heat Press
Additional Supporting Heat Press Machine Information
Still not feeling convinced? Here is some more useful information that might help you decide.
What is the Best Heat Press Brands?
If you are ready to invest the big dollars in order to get a high-quality industrial level machine, then we highly recommend that you choose from the following top heat press brands:
- Stahls
- Geo Knight
- Hix
- Insta Model &
- HPN
We only recommend these to business owners. If you are only after a machine for occasional home-use then you can look at some of the cheaper brands such as FancierStudio, PowerPress, F2C, Mophorn, ePhoto and DG Digital.
Sublimation vs Heat Press Paper
So what is the difference and do you need a machine that can handle sublimation?
- Heat Transfer is essentially the process of printing onto heat transfer paper. You will then need to heat press this transfer onto your product.
- Sublimation on the other hand is ink based and when heated it turns into a gas that will actually embed itself into special products that have a polyester coating.
If you only wish to work with garment transfers, then you can save some money by purchasing a straight forward heat press machine.
If however you wish to work with hard surface items such as mugs, tiles or license plates, the you will need to invest in a heat press machine that offers sublimation.
Why Should You Invest In a Heat Press Machine For T-shirt Printing?
Heat press machines aren't cheap. They are bulky and they take up lots of room. So question is: Why not just use an iron?!
Well, because it is so easy to hop on board the garment industry and create your own custom designs and t-shirt artwork from home (or from your business).
You can now print your own images on fabric. And you can rest assured that these images won't feel, fade or wash away.
You can't rely on an iron for your t-shirt printing business, you truly have to invest in a high-quality heat transfer press machine to ensure that you are selling quality prints.
These machines allow you to offer versatility to your clients. They can pick whichever size, color or layers that they wish to print onto their t-shirts, caps, bags and more.
People love choice and they love feeling in control, meanwhile you will reap all the profits of being able to mass-produce printed tees that will keep your clients returning for more.
Whilst we have a whole guide about what to look for before buying a heat press machine, we will provide you with a quick summary below as to WHY you should invest in a heat transfer machine for your t-shirt printing business.
1. Small Investment for Potential Big Profits
Let's face it, the initial outlay cost of starting a t-shirt printing business is pretty minimal in comparison to most other business ideas.
A professional t-shirt printing machine will only set you back by around $200 (for beginner machines). You can find more information on how much heat press machines cost here.
After that you only need to purchase supplies (sheets/rolls of vinyl, quality tees, caps, bags etc), together with a few basic weeding tools.
2. Learning Curve is Minimal
Heat press machines are pretty easy to use. If you can afford a high-end heat press, you will even find that a lot of the thinking is done digitally by the machine.
Yes, you might ruin a few shirts and yes, you will need to learn some tricks of the trade, but ultimately it won't take you long to become an expert at t-shirt printing.
3. High-quality Long-Lasting Products
Technology is incredible and we love how far the heat press machines have come over the years.
These days even the cheapest heat press machines can produce high-quality long-lasting prints that will survive hundreds of washes.
You will still need to learn the ins and outs of applying the correct temperature and pressure.
The high heat produced by the more expensive machines will definitely ensure that you print high-quality images that won't fade easily.
4. Fast Production Runs
We all know that time is money! The faster you can produce your products, the quicker you can sell them for profit.
Which is why it is so important to invest those few extra dollars and invest in higher-end more professional heat press machines that are suitable for small businesses.
You want to find one that is automatic, so that you can leave it to do its job whilst you deal with the customers.
These machines allow you to use your time efficiently and to create products whilst you customer is waiting close by.
Also look for a machines that feature a control panel that allows you to set programs for the application process, so that you can simply pick one of the pre-sets and let the machine do the work for you.
5. Great for Small Shops or Homes
A heat press machine might not be pretty and it might not be small, but let's face it - in comparison to other machinery used in businesses, a heat press is pretty small and truly occupies little space.
6. Versatile
These machines can go above and beyond simply printing on cotton t-shirts. They can also print on cups, caps, canvas bags, canvas shoes, puzzles and more.
You can print onto a variety of materials, from satin, cotton, ceramics, spandex & more.
Thinking about going beyond simple front-or-back designs. What about trying out over-the-shoulder prints or wraparound image prints.
Thinking beyond using a heat press for small business use and looking at the home users. Think about how much money you will save by being able to create your own customs tees.
How to Create a Quality Print with your Heat Press
Find loads of helpful info below on how to create a quality transfer and print with your machine.
1. Use the Correct Temperature
It is important to check the vinyl packet instructions to see what temperature would work best with your type of vinyl.
Typically you want to set a high temperature on the press which will help the vinyl to bond properly with your fabric.
A low temperature will typically result in a design that is more likely to start peeling off after only a few washes.
2. Use the Correct Type of Fabric
You can't just grab any blank t-shirt that is on sale and hope to use it for your vinyl transfers.
You want a material that can handle the high temperature of the heat press, because the last thing we want is to melt the fabric.
Look for the following types of fabric (you could also use a fabric that is a blend of the following): Polyester, Nylon, Cotton, Lycra, and Spandex are all fabulous choices.
3. Ensure your Design is Straight
Your first job is to ensure that your t-shirt is aligned straight with the heat press. We also prefer to quickly give the shirt a 10 second press to ensure that all the wrinkles are out.
It also helps to remove moisture as well.
Next carefully align your graphic to ensure that it will print straight as well. You might even want to measure this out to ensure that the design is in the middle of your shirt and that the edges are straight.
If for any reason you make a mistake, don't worry as you can remove the vinyl and try again.
4. Choose the Correct HTV Vinyl or Transfer Paper
Making use of the best heat transfer vinyl that suits both your type of fabric, as well as the color of your garment is really important.
It is also important to check out the current reviews on the vinyl to get a quick idea of the quality.
It is also a great idea to choose a vinyl that is easy to apply and easy to weed.
5. Follow Proper Care Instructions for Printed Tees
If you are going to go to all the trouble to create a quality printed tee, you might just as well go to the effort of looking after it properly.
Turn your shirt inside out before washing. This will help to prevent friction which will wear down the transfer quicker.
Don't use any strong detergents as it might loosen the adhesive of the transfer design.
It is also best to let the shirt try naturally. If you do have to tumble dry, ensure that the heat setting is set to 'cool'.
Make sure to iron the shirt inside out as well, so that no high temperature is applied directly to the shirt, as this could cause the adhesive to melt.
Conclusion:
Hopefully you found the best press for your purpose in our heat press buying guide above. Our heat press reviews should help you find something suitable for your budget.
If you are still feeling confused, we highly recommend the HTVRONT Auto Digital Clamshell Heat Press. It consistently ranks as one of our best-sellers and is the top heat press machine 2024 has for home-users.
Now that you have found a new heat press machine for your office or business, why not hop over to our craft blog section.
We have loads of tutorials, project examples as well as step-by-step posts on our heat press blog to help you.
FAQ:
Find below some of the most common questions and answers that we get asked.
1. Which brands manufacture their machines in the USA?
The best brand of heat press machine are Stahls, Geo Knight, Hix and Maxx. They are all manufactured in the USA and offer the most reliable, robust built that should last you for long term rigorous use.
2. What does heat transfer mean?
Heat transfer a process where you heat press printed images or text from special transfer paper in order to transfer it onto a product such as a shirt.
Over to You:
- Did our list of top heat press machines help you find the right heat press for you?
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