Best Heat Press Machine 2025 Guide & Heat Press Reviews

9. Transfer Crafts Digital Heat Press Review

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! 

10. Hotronix Fusion Heat Press Review

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:

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!

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 2025 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. 

Final Thoughts on the Best Heat Press

After rigorous research and comparison, the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press Machine stands out as our top pick for 2025.

With its precise temperature control, user-friendly automatic operation, and consistent results, this powerhouse delivers professional-quality transfers every time.

While the market offers many options, HTVRONT's perfect balance of affordability, reliability, and advanced features makes it the smart choice for both beginners and experienced crafters.

Ready to elevate your crafting game? The HTVRONT Auto Heat Press Machine is waiting to transform your projects!

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