Selecting the Best Heat Press Machine for Your Shop

                                    By Jim Hingst 

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.

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.

Hotronix Hover 16x20" Heat Press Auto Open  - Heat Transfer Press Machine 

Features of the Hotronix Hover 16” x 20" Heat Press Machine:

• Heavy-duty professional grade machine with proven performance.
• Opens automatically. This prevents scorching of heat transfer films.
• Opens wide providing safe and easy layout and removal of garments.
• Easy to read digital display.
• Clamshell design saves space.
• Easy to use. 
• Made in the U.S.A.

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. This was an advantage when I was set up my Hotronix heat press at various events, where 110 volt outlets were available. 

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.

The platen of my Hotronix heat press is 16" x 20".
This  size is large enough to accommodate just about
any garment.

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.

My Hotronix heat press features an easy to read digital display
for time and temperature.

 

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 much 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.

Clamshell presses are popular for several reasons. Simple in design, these presses require less floor space, weigh less and are more affordable than other designs, such as the swing-away units. If you are just starting out in the t-shirt business, a clamshell press could be a good choice for you. In selecting the model for your shop, check to see how wide the clamshell opens.  Some open as wide as 90⁰, which is a good deal, because it puts more space between your knuckles and the hot top platen.

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.)

Hotronix Fusion 16"x20" Heat Press Swing-Away - Heat Transfer Press Machine

The Hotronix Fusion 16" x 20" Heat Transfer Press provides the following features:

• Large 16" X 20" heat platen accommodates most garments.
• Modern, easy-to-read digital display for time, temperature and pressure.
• Durable, scratch resistant powder coat finish.
• Easy to operate. Require minimal training.
• Heavy-duty construction for reliable performance.
• Energy-saving sleep mode.
• Made in the U.S.A.

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, such as Hotronix, 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?

RELATED ARTICLES

Printing Heat Transfer Films with Latex Inks

Changing Printer Settings in Roland Versaworks

Tips for Cutting Flock Material

Heat Transfers on Neoprene

Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing

The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Films

How to Flash Press FlexCut StickyLT  

Laminating Application Tape and Hot Mask Films

Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing

The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Films

Printing Tatoo with Seiko Fluorescent Inks

Processing Instructions for CoolPrint.

Puff, the Magic Inflatable Heat Transfer Film

Reflective Heat Transfer Films

SEF Heat Transfer Films Instructions

RTape Heat Transfer Films FAQs

Introducing Tatoo Printable Heat Transfer Films

Heat Transfer Tech Support Hotline

HotMask Polyester Transfer Tapes

RTape Introduces 485L HotMask

Correcting Plotter Cutting Problems When Cutting H...

Which Films Stick to Coated Fabrics? 

The Difference between FlexCut Sticky and FlexCut ...

Heat Transfer Films Product Application Chart

Rules for Overlaying Heat Transfer Films 

Comparing Heat Transfer Films with Screen Printed ...

Peel Recommendations for Heat Transfer Films

Heat Pressing Appliques on Leather 

Heat Pressing on Dye Sublimated Fabrics

Heat Transfer Films: Hot, Warm or Cold Peel

Processing Printable Heat Transfer Films

Shopping for a Heat Press 

Pressing Heat Transfer Films

Evaluating Heat Transfer Films

Plotter Cutting Heat Transfer Films

Cutting & Weeding Tips for Heat Transfer Films

The Trouble with Shrinking Shirts

Caring for Garments with Heat Transfers

Vinyl Sign Techniques by Jim Hingst 

Here is a comprehensive guide to the vinyl sign and graphics business. Compiled from 54 Vinyl Graphics columns in Signs of the Times, edited, updated and condensed here into 39 chapters, Vinyl Sign Techniques is an essential resource. The book is divided into four sections: sales & marketing, materials, fabrication, and vinyl application & removal. Every important aspect to running an efficient and profitable vinyl sign business is covered in detail, often including valuable charts, tables and photos for reference.

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.

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 400 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2018 Jim Hingst