Discover the most important considerations when shopping for a press...
With so many makes and models of heat presses, selecting one is usually confusing. To make the right purchasing decision for your business, you need to thoroughly investigate your options. Start by asking the right questions. Here’s what you should know before you sign on the dotted line.
The most important question revolves around your projections for
business activity. How frequently will you use the heat press? If you anticipate
a steady stream of business, you will need a higher end, very dependable heat
press from a reliable manufacturer to satisfy your capacity requirements.
"I've worked with a variety of heat presses. The best clamshell unit on the market for my money is the George Knight press. Here's why I feel that way. It opens up wider than the other presses, so it's less likely that I will burn myself. The zig-zag configuration of the heating coils provides more even heating of the top platen, so you don't have hot and cold spots. And the press gives you more open space underneath the bottom platen, so it's easier to fit a garment onto the press." JH
If you intend to use the heat press frequently for long periods of
time, you may need an automatic press rather than a manual one. One of the
critical variables in heat pressing is pressure. On a manual press pressure is
regulated by turning a knob. An automatic press features pneumatic cylinders
which precisely control pressure in pounds per square inch.
Electrical Requirements.
The higher end of the product range, heat presses are generally 220 volt. These units consumer less energy but cost more. Other heat presses are 110 volt and will plug into a standard wall socket. That could be important if you will be transporting a press from one industry event to another.
Platen Size.
For most t-shirt work a medium size press in the 16” x 16” is adequate. It’s big enough to do most jobs, yet small enough to transport if you are going to fairs and industry events.
The best advice when selecting a heat press is to buy the biggest
that you can afford, that satisfies your specific needs. If you are shopping
for an in-shop unit that you won’t move once it is in place, a 16 x 20 heat
press makes the most sense. The larger platen size will allow you to
conveniently align and press larger tee shirts.
Here’s the downside. A
press with a larger platen size will likely weigh more. It’s great to buy a
model that is built like a tank. But when the heat press weighs as much as one,
and you need to transport it from place to place, you may want to take weight
and size into consideration. Some units can weigh more than 150 pounds.
When you shop for a heat press, you may also want to inquire if
the lower platen is removable and replaceable. Some swing-away units for
example have removable platens, with very small platens for mugs and caps. With
this feature, one press can perform the work of two. If you are going to do different types of
jobs, the result is lower equipment cost. The more expensive, more versatile
press will likely cost less than two presses.
Equipment Controls.
Different heat transfer films require different time, temperature and pressure settings. With this in mind, it’s easy to screw a job up, especially on a busy day or when layering different types of films on a garment. The more sophisticated heat presses have controllers, which can be programmed to remember the right settings for the material that you are using. Some of these intelligent controllers have as many as 70 programmable presets.
Equipment Weight.
If you are going to be lugging a heat press from one industry event to another (as I will be), you better make sure that it is portable. Ask the weight. Some units can weigh as much as 150 pounds and more. Generally a clamshell unit weighs less than a swing-away press.
Equipment
Style.
The two most popular heat press styles are the clamshell and the swing-away. On a clamshell unit the lower platen is stationary and the top platen moves up and down. On a swing-away heat press, the top platen lifts straight up and then swings to the side. While small swing-away presses are available, a common size in the 16” x 20” range.
If a clamshell is such a great deal for sign shop owners, why
would anyone consider a swing-away heat press?
If you a working with this style of equipment, your forearms are not
exposed to the heat all day long. And you are less likely to burn
yourself. That’s a nice feature, but it
will cost you more. You have to decide
if it is worth it.
An additional feature is that the swing-away design provides for
uniform pressure from the front of the platen to the back. Because of the
design of some clamshell presses, the pressures can be greater at the back of
the unit than the front. This usually isn’t an issue when pressing
t-shirts. But uneven pressure could be
problematic when pressing thicker garments, such as sweatshirts. (Note: on some clamshells the top platen
floats to provide uniform pressure.)
If you need a portable heat press, a swing-away model is not a
good choice. Even the lighter models can weigh as much as a hundred
pounds.
Manual or Pneumatic Pressure.
An automatic pneumatic press sounds great because the pressure settings are consistent and their performance is reliable. Remember though that pneumatic means that the press needs air pressure. That means that you will need a compressor. For most sign shops, you may want to stick with press that uses a manual pressure knob.
Budget.
While money is always a consideration, you should only buy a unit that best satisfies your production requirements. So buy the best unit that you can afford.
Warranty.
Don’t forget to ask the distributor sales person what the warranty is on the heating element, the frame and the electronic controls. Also be aware that warranties will vary from one manufacturer to another and from one model to the next.
Name Brands.
In my opinion, no matter what the cost, don’t waste your money on an unknown off-shore unit no brand name recognition, no history and usually no warranty. You have great selection on the market of a number of well-known brands, which have good reputations. If you are wondering, which brands are the best, ask around. Talk to other knowledgeable shop owners, who have experience with heat presses.
Conclusion.
To select the right heat press for your shop you need to do your homework. This requires asking plenty of questions and carefully studying the manufacturers’ specification. Then compile all of the data in a spreadsheet, so you can compare the various heat press models and can make an informed buying decision.
Here’s a list of questions, that might help you in your
conversations with your dealer:
·
What thickness of garment will the
press accept?
·
Is the pressure adjustment manual or
digital?
·
What are the power requirements for
the press? 220 volt or 110 volt? How many amps does the press draw?
·
Does the press have a UL or CSA
rating?
·
What is the platen size of the press?
·
Is the platen replaceable?
·
Does the press accept multiple size
platens?
·
Does the press open automatically at
the end of the heat cycle?
·
Is the temperature gauge digital or
analog?
·
How much counter space does the heat
press require?
·
What does the press weigh?
·
What does the warranty cover?
·
What does the press cost?
For more information on this subject, I suggest watching the George Knight YouTube.com video on heat press selection: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuapF9fmVKg&feature=channel
For More Information About Heat Transfer Films Contact SEF Americas:
14476-201 Duval Place West
Jacksonville, FL 32218
904-423-0211 - Phone
904-423-0899 - Fax
844-720-9600 - Toll Free
Jacksonville, FL 32218
904-423-0211 - Phone
904-423-0899 - Fax
844-720-9600 - Toll Free
Ordering: sales@SEFamericas.com
Web: www.SEFamericas.com
For Technical Support:
Click Here: For SEF Product Application Guide
For Technical Support:
Toll Free: 1-844-720-9601
techsupport@SEFAmericas.com
About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.
© 2016 Jim Hingst
Related Articles about Heat Transfer Films
The following articles will also provide you with valuable information when working with heat transfer films:
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.
© 2016 Jim Hingst
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