best-heat-press-machine

Best Heat Press Machine For Small Business and Tshirt Printing in 2023

Very few people can be seen wearing generic store-bought clothes these days! Why would they, when it is so easy to put your favorite quotes, cartoons, or faces on everything you can wear? 

Everywhere we see, people prefer to personalize and customize everything they own, not just their T-shirts, but also their hats, mugs and cups, bags, accessories, and even their gadgets. All this has been possible only because of heat press machines! 

What can a heat press machine do? 

What can’t it do? With the right heat press machine, you can transfer all your designs to the material of your choice, from cotton to leather, wood to glass.

Successful businesses can be run with nothing more than the best heat press machine, a few assisting tools and materials, and a great imagination. 

However, for all that to happen, what you first need to do is to invest in – not just the best heat press machine but the right heat press machine for yourself. 

Best Heat Press Machine

Here is a list of the 20 best t-shirt printing machines that you can find in the market at the moment, along with their features, their specialties, and their limitations. Knowing all the facts will definitely help you in making the right choice for your business when you invest in one. 

1. Cricut EasyPress 2 Heat Press Machine 

Compact, stylish and affordable, the Cricut EasyPress 2 can definitely make your life easier and your work faster. If you are just starting a new business or making customized clothing as a hobby, this is a great choice for you! Rightly named the EasyPress, this simple but effective heat machine is only 9” x 9” in size and perfect for printing on basic clothes. 

Because of the comparatively smaller size, it is much easier to handle this heat press machine, even by a complete beginner. It works just like a regular household iron would: you pick up the heat press machine with one (or two!) hands, and place it on the material of your choice, and let the machine do its job.

Instead of a huge heat press machine that might end up taking up half your workspace, this smaller version will be able to give the same performance and quality. 

This heat press machine from Cricut is great for placing your designs and quotes to basic T-shirts, aprons, hats and caps, tote bags, pillow and cushion covers, bed sheets, and anything else made from cotton or similar fabrics.

This machine will be possible to take on any projects that require either heat-transfer vinyl or sublimation. 

This machine is portable, and it is lightweight. What does that mean? This means that you can definitely travel with this heat press machine, even if it is only from your workplace to your home, and vice versa.

Because this machine comes with an insulated safety base, you can use it anywhere without damaging your furniture or work surface. 

With the precise temperature control, you can adjust the temperature of the machine according to the material you are using, great for avoiding accidents or damages.

From 0°F to 400℉, you can choose the perfect temperature for your material and your design. The base of the machine is made from a ceramic coated surface, which will always be safe for your materials even when extremely hot. 

What else? The Cricut EasyPress 2 has the handy auto shut-off feature, which makes it easy to use even when you are an absentminded worker or sometimes forget to switch the machine off.

Besides, this machine is perfectly compatible with almost all brands of heat-transfer vinyl materials as well as infusible ink products, making it a great go-to heat press machine. Since this product is by Cricut, it is also compatible with all other Cricut tools and machines as well! 

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2. PowerPress Industrial-Quality Digital Sublimation Heat Press Machine  

On the other hand, if you already have an ongoing business and enough space in your workroom, this machine from PowerPress would be more suitable for you. 

The PowerPress digital sublimation heat press machine comes with a 15” x 15” heating plate. You can easily use for large-sized T-shirts, pillowcases and cushion cases, large personal tote bags, and even wall hangings and posters made from fabric.

Because of its plate size, you can use the machine for transferring a single large-sized design on your material, or even smaller designs to cover your material completely. 

The silicone gel base inside the plate will undoubtedly protect your materials from heat and damage, even when the temperature is as high as 750℉.

Because this is heat press machine more suitable for heavy duty work, you can control its temperature from zero to 400℉ and set the time limit from 0 to 999 seconds. 

This is actually more or less a manual heat press machine, where you can manually press the top portion of the machine according to requirement. The temperature and the time control, however, is fully automatic. 

Finally, because the heating plate is made from Teflon, there’s no need to worry about your fabric. Even at a high heat, your fabric will stay protected when it goes into the heat press machine. 

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3. Fancierstudio DG Heat Press Digital Sublimation Machine  

This is actually a similar heat press machine from Fancierstudio that also has a 15” x 15” heating plate. Large enough to work with regular or oversized T-shirts, family sized tote bags and pillow covers, or large cushion covers, this heat press machine works on 110 volts voltage and 1400 watts power.

With a silicone-gel base board, this machine is completely safe for all materials. The silicone pad is lightly glued down to the machine and easy to remove, if you want to wash it or replace it.

The FancierStudio DG heat press machine has a temperature range of 0 to 500℉, and a time range of 0 to 999 seconds, making it a versatile heat press machine for all kinds of fabrics and materials. 

Because of the high range of temperature and time options, it is possible to set up precise time with this machine. Disposable teflon sheets come included with this heat press machine that you can very easily use for starting your T-shirt printing business at home. 

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4. VEVOR Heat Press Machine 

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This heat press machine certainly looks like it belongs in a busy factory somewhere, and it truly does. The VEVOR heat press machine is sturdy, reliable and sufficient, and compatible with many different materials.

Not just for printing on T-shirts and tote bags, this machine – with its different attachments – can also be used to print on mugs, cups, plates and hats. 

The main heating plate of this heat press machine is actually 12” x 15” in size, while the hat/cap press is 6” x 3” in size, and the mug press can print on cups and mugs that hold 11-ounces of liquid. Besides, there are two separate press attachments for printing on ceramic plates 5” and 6” in size. 

In short, with this one machine, you can carry on a successful printing business on versatile products and materials! 

As with most other heat press machines, the heating plates are all made from a non-stick Teflon coat, making the machine completely safe for all sensitive and fragile materials including soft fabric, ceramic, vinyl, metal and modal. Even glass can be used in this heat press machine with the appropriate temperature setting. 

In fact, this is another important feature of the VEVOR heat press machine. It works on a slightly lower temperature limit than that of other heat press machines.

With this machine, you can adjust the temperature between 0 to 450℉, and the time limit between 0 to 999 seconds, which should be more than enough for most materials.

Also, since this heat press machine comes with a control panel and a LCD display, it is very easy to choose and set any combination of temperature and time by yourself.

Want more? This machine will give out a pretty loud beep when your printing is done, even when you’ve forgotten about your ongoing project. 

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5. RoyalPress 15”x15” Color Heat Press Machine 

With a large 15” x 15” heating plate, this is another commercial grade heat press machine that can almost complete all the ongoing business projects by itself. A completely commercial-grade machine that’s sturdy and reliable, the RoyalPress sublimation heat press machine is definitely a good investment for any printing business. 

This industrial-quality heat press machine has a temperature range of 0 to 480℉, which is standard but also slightly lower than some other similar machines. Because the machine comes with a Teflon coating, there’s absolutely no need to layer another protective sheet on the heating bed to protect your materials.

Another useful feature of this heat press machine is that it comes with a color LED display and intelligent memory, which can remember your last and usual settings.

You can not just control the temperature and the time limit of each print with this heat press machine, but also keep a count of the number of prints you have completed in a single session, i.e. keep a count up to 999 pieces. 

In short, this is a very reliable and sturdy heat press machine from RoyalPress that you can use very easily to print any kind of design on your T-shirts, tote bags, cushion and pillow covers, as well as on mouse pads and puzzles. 

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6. Mophorn 5-in-1 Heat Press Machine  

Instead of a heat press machine that’s only good for fabrics, i.e. T-shirts and tote bags, cushion covers and pillow cases, this machine from Mophorn is actually an amazing 5-in-1 tool for your business.

If you have a printing business and you want to venture into printing on more than just clothes and household linens, then this is definitely the machine for you! 

A 5-in-1 heat press machine, which means that this machine comes with additional attachments besides the main heating bed. With a standard-sized 12” x 15” heating bed, you’ll also be getting a 5” and a 6” diameter plate press, a 6” x 3” cap/hat press and a 3”-3.5” mug/cup press. 

So there you have it! With a single machine and multiple attachments, you can print your designs, quotes and photos on anything including T-shirts, aprons, pillow cases and cushion covers, coffee mugs and cups with a diameter of 3” to 3.5”, ceramic plates, tiles, caps, hats, puzzles, mousepads and many other items people like to personalize. 

The temperature of this heat press machine can be adjusted from 32 to 430ºF, making it safe for a lot of materials. In this machine, because the temperature can be adjusted, you’ll be able to use cotton, nylon, flax, chemical fiber, metal, glass and ceramic in it without any worries.

Not just that, it is also possible to adjust the time limit of the prints from 0 to 999 seconds, depending on your material and your designs. 

What’s helpful in this particular machine is that the top portion of the machine can be swung away 360° from the heating bed, giving you enough space to work on without getting any injury.

The top part of the machine can also be manually pressed and adjusted based on the kind of pressure your material needs to be printed on. This particular portion also has a 2⅘” long arm handle that’s easy for anyone to use for applying pressure. 

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7. SmarketBuy Digital Heat Press Machine 

Specifically for T-shirts, this is a relatively simple heat press machine for both new and experienced users. If your business primarily prints on T-shirts or looking forward to starting a printing business on a small scale, this is an affordable and trustworthy digital heat press machine for you. 

It has only a 12” x 10” heating bed, which might seem smaller than other machines but is just the right size for printing T-shirts and other personal clothes.

The temperature can be adjusted between 320° to 430°, depending on the material you are using, and the time range can be adjusted between 0 to 999 seconds, which depends on the design. 

The machine is completely digital, with a LED display and a digital controller to set the time and the temperature. Not just that, the machine will automatically stop working when time is up and give out a sound alarm, which can be a great help. 

The 12” x 10” heating plate, perfect for most fabrics, comes covered in Teflon coating, and will keep your material perfectly safe.

Besides, like a few other machines of this type, the top part of the machine can be swung away 360° from the heating pad, leaving you enough space to work on. This means that you will be able to place your material perfectly on the heating bed without getting any burns on your arms accidentally. 

There you have it! In a single, relatively compact heat press machine, you can get all the important features needed to print your designs on T-shirts! 

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8. Transfer Crafts T-shirt Heat Press Machine

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Another heat press machine that’s perhaps suitable only for printing on T-shirts, but which is also reliable and affordable. This particular machine from Transfer Crafts comes with a 9” x 12” heating plate, more suitable for printing a design, quote or picture in the center (or any other part) of your T-shirts. 

However, that doesn’t mean this isn’t a versatile heat press machine! You can use this single machine to print on T-shirts of all sizes and colors, as well as most fabric types on a smaller scale.

Not just that, you can use this machine to print the same designs on tote bags, aprons, scarfs, mouse pads, puzzles, plats and other materials that are flat and thin. 

Apart from the compact size, the Transfer Craft heat press machine has all the other important features needed for printing. This includes adjusting the temperature at any point between room temperature to 500°F, and adjusting the time between 0 to 999 seconds.

The heating plate is basically made of aluminum but comes covered in a Teflon coating that will keep your fabrics and other materials safe from the intense heat. 

As an added bonus, the machine comes fully assembled, so there’s no need to worry about assembling it from parts. 

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9. WOOKRAYS 5-in-1 Heat Press Machine

A single machine, yes, but thanks to all its attachments, it can do the work of 5 heat press machines! Hence this heat press machine from WOOKRAYS is termed as a 5-in-1 machine that comes with a heating bed, two plate presses, a cup/mug press and a cap/hat press! 

In a nutshell, this heat press machine is a collection of a 12” x 15” heating bed, a 6” x 3” hat or cap press, a 11-ounce coffee cup or mug press, a standard 5” plate press and a 6” plate press. 

With this one heat press machine, you can run your printing business with a number of printing materials, including fabric, glass, mouse pads, ceramic, rubber and more. Together, all these attachments are enough for a successful printing business whether it is an old one or a new one! 

The WOOKRAYS heat press machine comes with a dual LCD monitor where you can control the temperature range between 32°F to 482°F, and also adjust the time between 0 to 999 seconds, making the machine versatile and completely safe for different materials. 

Because of the 360-degree swing away design of the top portion, this machine is super easy to use. You will be able to keep the lower heating bed completely free while working on your designs, without having to fear getting burned. The lower level is completely detachable and can be removed for cleaning or replacement.  

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10. CO-Z 110V Heat Press Machine

From T-shirts of all colors to cushion covers for your couch, from pillow cases to phone cases, your favorite coffee mug or cup,  ceramic plates and mouse pads, laptop sleeves or hats/caps – everything can be printed on with the help of this machine.

The CO-Z heat press machine – besides the 12” x 15” heating bed – also comes with a large 6” plate press and a smaller 5” plate press, a 5” x 3” hat/cap press and a 11-ounce cup/mug press with the adjustable height of 13.5” to 17”. 

No wonder the CO-Z 110V is called a 5-in-1 heat press machine! Whether you are personalizing your own clothes and belongings or running a successful printing business, this is a great heat press machine to start with. 

Besides, as with most other heat press machines, you can adjust the temperature between 0 to 500°F, and the time between 0 to 999 seconds, depending on the material you are using and the design you have chosen.

Because of the Teflon coating on the heating base, your sensitive and fragile materials will stay safe and protected even when you’ve chosen a high temperature. 

The dual digital display at the front of the machine makes it easy to choose your temperature and time settings and interchange between Celsius and Fahrenheit. Besides, the special spring press plate of the top layer is easy to use, and gives equal pressure to all the parts of your material with regular pressure.

The sturdy anti-slip yellow handle of the machine is made of rubber and makes it easy to apply adequate pressure on the machine, without becoming too uncomfortable. 

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11. Hihone 8-in-1 Heat Press Machine

Now, the name says it all! 

Much, much larger and more versatile than any of the heat press machines in this list, the Hihone 8-in-1 comes with 7 separate attachments beside the main 15” x 12” heating bed.  The attachments include:

  • A 60-ounce mug press that can be adjusted from 2” to 2.75” diameter, 
  • A 110-ounce mug press that can be adjusted from 3” to 3.5” diameter, 
  • Another 120-ounce mug press with a slight cone to its shape,
  • A 170-ounce latte mug press, 
  • A 6” x 3” hat or cap press, 
  • A 5” plate press and 
  • A slightly bigger 6” plate press. 

Together with all the attachments, this single heat press machine can print your designs, favorite quotes and photos on not just T-shirts and tote bags, but also mugs, cups, hats, caps, ceramic plates and tiles, pillow cases and cushion covers, mouse pads, puzzles, laptop sleeves, and more. 

Like most other heat press machines, the temperature can be adjusted from 32 to 430°F, and the time between 0 to 999 seconds, which will certainly cover all materials used for printing on.

As an added feature, the heating platen can also be rotated horizontally to a 360° angle, making it easy to work with the materials. 

If you look closely at the heat press machine, you can see a S-shaped heating tube built into the heating plate, which keeps the heating uniform on the surface, regardless of what materials you are using. 

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12. VIVOHOME Upgraded 8-in-1 Combo Machine 

You get a surprise gift with this 8-in-1 heat press machine from VIVOHOME – a pair of industrial grade gloves that are simply perfect for using with the machine. 

Apart from that, this is a 8-in-1 combo machine with upgraded features for heavy commercial use. This means that with this single machine, you’ll be able to easily print your designs on almost anything, including colorful T-shirts, coffee mugs, cups, puzzles, table mats, mousepads, letterings, ceramic plates and tiles, caps and hats, aprons and tote bags, glass and rubber, and many more such personal and household belongings.

How is that possible?

Well, this 8-in-1 combo machine comes with a rather large 12” x 15” heating platen and 7 other attachments, including:

  • A 9-ounce mug heating press, 
  • A 12-ounce mug heating press, 
  • A 11-ounce mug heating press, 
  • A 12-ounce conic heating press, 
  • A cap/hat heating press, 
  • A lengthened bottle heating pad, 
  • A 8” diameter plate heating press and 
  • A 10” diameter heating press

Besides all the amazing attachments, you also get the convenience of setting the temperature and the time of printing depending on the material you are using and keep an automatic count of prints you have made. 

Because there are two heating tubes connecting the heating plates, they provide a uniform heat to all the parts of the plates, giving your designs the perfect environment for proper sublimation and transfer of ink.

Dual heating tubes also mean that the temperature difference between the center and the edges of the plates has only a difference of 5°, which is almost negligible. 

Other important features include: 

  • Effortless switching between Celcius and Fahrenheit
  • Automatic shut-down when printing is complete 
  • Alarm Sound when printing is done 
  • 3 modes to switch between easily 
  • Clear LCD Display 
  • Easy-to-use silicone buttons 
  • 360° swing away heating plate 
  • One press operation 

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13. WOOKRAYS Heat Transfer Machine 

Another heat press machine from the renowned brand WOOKRAYS, but one that comes with a higher number of attachments. This is actually an 8-in-1 machine that you can use for a large number of printing orders in your new or existing business, for printing on T-shirts and bags, cups and mugs, caps, hats, plates and tiles, mouse pads and puzzles.

In short, if there’s a product and a material your customers want you to print on, you can do it all with this machine.

So what are the 8 attachments you are getting with this machine? Oh, the usual ones, of course, but more than that. With a single machine, you get: 

  • A rather large 12” x 15” heating platen, 
  • A separate curved 6” x 3” cap or hat press,
  • A 90-ounce mug/cup press, 
  • A 110-ounce mug/cup press,  
  • A 120-ounce mug press, 
  • A 170-ounce latte mug press, 
  • A 5” plate press and 
  • A 6” plate press. 

So you see, apart from the usual bundle of heating plate-cup/mug press-hat/cap press-plate press combination, you are getting more options to print on different types, sizes and shapes of mugs and cups.

Since almost everyone is using customized mugs these days, this can be a very profitable heat press machine for printing businesses. 

Other important and very helpful features of this heat press machine include a completely digital temperature and time control, where you can adjust the temperature setting between 2℉ to 450℉, and the time setting between 0 to 999 seconds.

On the LED control panel, you simply have to preset the desired time and temperature details, depending on the materials and the design you are using, and wait for the machine to complete printing.

After the work is completed and time is over, there will be an audible alarm sound to remind you, so there’s no need to worry about anything at all! 

The full 360-degree swing away design is another feature in this heat press machine that’s absolutely fabulous. Because you can move the heating panel completely away from your workspace, there’s no chance of your hands or arms getting burned from accidental contact. 

Another thing: the full-range pressure adjustment knob that’s built into the machine can actually be adjusted based on the thickness of the material you are using. This also allows the heat to be evenly distributed to all the parts of the heating platen evenly, giving you a perfect transfer of ink and design. 

More? The anti-skid, anti-slip handle is easy for anyone to use and apply appropriate pressure without having to give too much effort. 

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14. WOOKRAYS 8-in-1 Heat Press Machine 

This is indeed another similar looking heat press machine from WOOKRAYS – a company that comes with many different options for heat press machines. 

This particular machine comes with a 12” x 15” heating plate for all your T-shirts, aprons, pillow cases and cushion covers, and tote bags, but also some other attachments for different materials. The complete set, besides the main heating bed, includes: 

  • A 5” diameter plate press, 
  • A larger 6” plate press,
  • A 10-ounce mug press, 
  • A 11-ounce mug press, 
  • A 12-ounce mug press, 
  • A large 17-ounce latte cup press, and 
  • A curved 6” x 3” hat or cap press.  

This means that with this one machine, you’ll be able to transfer your designs to almost anything you want to: most kinds of fabric including cotton, nylon, hemp and chemical fiber, clothes made from these fabrics, but also caps, hats, ceramic plates and tiles, puzzles, hemp, glass and some metal. 

The 360-degree swing-away design on the heating press makes it easy to use the machine without accidentally burning your fingers or arms in the process.

Another helpful feature of the heat press machine is the clear and easy-to-use LED display at the front of the machine, in which you can adjust the temperature from 200℉ to 450℉, as well as choose a time limit between 0 to 999 seconds.

You can even pre-set the temperature in this machine and adjust the pressure manually depending on the thickness of the material you are using. 

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15. Angoo Upgraded 5-in-1 Heat Press 

This is indeed another similar looking heat press machine from WOOKRAYS – a company that comes with many different options for heat press machines. 

This particular machine comes with a 12” x 15” heating plate for all your T-shirts, aprons, pillow cases and cushion covers, and tote bags, but also some other attachments for different materials. The complete set, besides the main heating bed, includes: 

  • A 6” x 3” curved hat or cap press, 
  • A 110-ounce mug press with adjustable diameter from 3” to 3.5”, 
  • A 5” diameter plate press and 
  • A 6” diameter plate press. 

Although this machine comes with only one mug press instead of the multiple ones in other more elaborate sets, because this is an adjustable press, you can use different sizes and shapes or mugs for printing. 

Also, because of the fully digital LCD control board, you can adjust the temperature control of the machine from 200℉ to 450℉, and also the time set a time limit between 0 and 999 seconds. That should cover all the different types of material you’re using to print on and also the thickness of these materials. 

The top part of the machine can be swung away 360-degree from where you’ll place your materials and adjust their position, giving you enough space to work on. There will be no worries of your fingers or your hands getting burnt because the heating plate will be far away from your body.  

With just a screwdriver, you can actually remove the pull-out platform from the machine if you ever want to clean or replace it. 

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16. Dollate 12” x 10” Heat Press Machine 

Here we come across a new manufacturer of heat press machines – the Dollate – with a 12” x 10” machine that can be primarily used for printing on fabrics. Contrary to the other much more versatile machines which you can use to print your designs on almost anything, this is a smaller machine with a relatively smaller heating plate. 

This machine has only one heating plate, which is 12” x 10” in size. If you have a small business or just starting one only for T-shirts, aprons, tote bags, pillow cases and hats, this can be a best heat press machine for beginners. 

Because the heating plate comes with a Teflon coating, all kinds of fabrics will be completely safe from the heat, even when you’ve selected the maximum temperature for the machine.

In fact, the temperature option for this machine is between 1 and 250℉, which is ideally the perfect range for fabric. The S-shaped heating tube that connects the heating area to the motor guarantees even heating of the entire platform effectively, so that your designs get evenly transferred with the utmost care and precision. 

The heating plate moves sideways instead of upwards and gives you enough space to effortlessly work with your materials, even when the machine is getting heated. This simple design reduces any chances of accidents and mishaps when you are working! 

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17. Tolsous 15” x 15” Heat Press Machine

… and we’re back to the more elaborate heat press machines, one with which you can base your entire printing business on. 

The TOLSOUS heat press machine, like many similar machines in the market, comes with a large 15” x 15” heating plate. In fact, this is the largest size of heating plate that you can find on a commercial-grade heat press machine manufactured for small printing businesses. 

This is also an 8-in-1 machine, which of course means that you’ll not only be able to print your designs on fabrics, but also on ceramic tiles and plates, mugs, cups, hats and caps, as well as other similar materials.

With this machine, you will also get, along with the main machine and the large heating plate, a 2 mug presses, two plate presses, a hat/cap press, a power cord, a screwdriver, one piece of removable and washable silicone pad, and the operating instruction, i.e. manual. 

This one heat press machine can be used for printing on more materials that you can even imagine, and not just the common ones we see everywhere, including coasters, lettering, puzzles, wooden wall hangings, and more.

Ink can also be dissolved into and transferred permanently to uncommon textiles such as flax, cotton, chemical fiber and nylon, as well as glass and ceramic. 

This heat press machine also comes with the classic 360-degree swing-away design, which means the heating plate will move away completely from the workspace, giving you enough space to work in. 

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18. SHZOND 8-in-1 Heat Press Machine

SHZOND is another impressive name for heat press machines, and this particular model of theirs is an impressive 8-in-1 machine where the main heating plate is 12” x 10” in size.

Apart from that, this machine also comes with 2 plate presses (5” and 6” in diameter), a 6” x 3” curved hat press, as well as four mug presses (6-ounce, 11-ounce, 12-ounce and a large 17-ounce latte mug). Together, you can fulfil most customized orders on all kinds of materials and platforms for your customer base. 

As with most other similar heat press machines, you can adjust the temperature setting of the machine from 32℉ to 430℉, which can cover most materials including but not limited to fabrics, ceramic and glass. Besides, the time for printing can be chosen from 0 to 999 seconds, based on the thickness and the type of the material you are using. 

Of course, there’s the 360-degree swing away design of the machine which makes it possible to work with your materials without burning your fingers or arms in the process, The heating plate will swing away from the workspace completely giving you enough space to work on, which is of course, a bonus in these machines. 

Other important and helpful features include: 

  • Adjustable pressure via the adjustment knob, so that you can give the right amount of pressure on your prints depending on the thickness of the material you are using. 
  • A detachable lower platform, so that you can easily use any of the other attachments that come with the machine. 
  • Interchangeable Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature mode.
  • Automatic stopping of heating when selected temperature has been reached. 
  • A 2-in-1 digital LED controller board, and more. 

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19. PowerPress HPM-000-PK Heat Press Machine 

From the versatile to the adorable! 

This is a small and elegant heat press machine from PowerPress that won’t take up much space on your worktable but is still good enough to effectively transfer all your designs to T-shirts, aprons, tote bags, cushion covers and pillowcases, and even some caps and hats. 

Extremely lightweight at only 8 pounds, this heat press machine comes with a 12” x 10” heating plate that’s just the right size to transfer your designs to an assortment of fabrics.

The fully digital touch screen panel lets you control the temperature and the time settings and see the settings you are using. Because the screen itself is super sensitive to touch, you can complete all your operations using this tiny little window. 

In a soft and subtle white-and-pink color combination, this machine is easy for everyone to use, even teenagers and young adults.

The intelligent pressure regulating system makes it easier to place heat and pressure uniformly on the material, without much effort or strength needed. Gentle pressure is what’s enough for any adult to effectively transfer your designs from paper to the fabric. 

Besides, what makes this heat press machine even safer to use is that the three layers of heat-resistant material inside the machine don’t let the exterior get heated.

Even when the machine has been turned on for a long time, the handle will get only a little hot, but not hot enough to burn your fingers. Even after running continuously for 2+ hours with more than 4355℉, the machine’s exterior won’t get heated. 

This heat press machine comes with a dual function base so that when it’s on safety mode, no one will get burned from the heat. Even when the base is in working mode, the heating plate will dissipate the heat, making the machine safe to use. 

The PowerPress portable 12” x 10” heat press machine also comes with the base, 3 pieces of vinyl sheets, a heat resistant mat for you to place your fabric on, and a safety base. 

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20. VEVOR 7” x 8” Heat Press Machine

… and yet another adorable and portable heat press machine that’s small, but at the same time, just the right size for printing your designs on T-shirts, aprons, tote bags and other fabrics and accessories.

Although with a 7” x 8” heating plate, it is one of the smallest heat press machines available in the market, it is a great machine for new businesses, personal use or when you are just practising for a printing business. 

This heat press machine is called the “Easy Press” for one simple reason: how easy it is to use this machine, for everyone!  

The VEVOR 7” x 8” is a hands-free machine, which means that you won’t have to keep pressing the machine to the materials at all times for effective transfer of ink; simply adjusting the temperature and the time of the machine, and placing it on your fabric should be enough for the design to be transferred to your material. 

The double-tube heating of the machine, which, unlike the single tube heating, makes it possible so that the heating all through the plate is even and consistent. Unlike other machines, there might be a difference of only 5℃ from the center to the edges whereas the more old-fashioned machines can differ by more than 10℃. 

Surprise, surprise! This is not just a heat press machine but can also be used as an ironing machine. This makes it a great tool to have at home, simply to iron your clothes and to transfer your designs to new clothes! 

With the highly sensitive touch control screen, it is very easy to use this heat press machine to adjust the temperature and the time settings and adjust the pressure setting between high, medium, and low. 

There you have it! The best, the most popular and the most effective heat press machines available in the market at the moment.

They come in a variety of sizes and features, some with multiple attachments to help you in your printing business, as well as other important features and options. 

Now that we’ve listed the best options for heat press machines available in the market, the next natural step would be to learn all there is about heat press machines, starting with what they are, how they work and how to use them. 

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What is a Heat Press Machine? 

In one sense, a heat press machine isn’t much different from a household iron. These are both similar-looking machines that only differ in their size, shape and versatility.

At the same time, they both emit heat that is used to either make our clothes straight and wrinkle-free, or to print our customized designs on fabric. 

However, the right kind of heat press machines are so much more than just household irons that emit heat. A commercial-grade heat press machine can also be used to print your designs on hats and caps, mugs and tiles, and more with all the added attachments they come with. 

Heat press machines are completely mandatory tools in any printing business that works with customized designs, T-shirts, mugs, cups, travel mugs, aprons, tote bags or anything else that we use regularly that can be personalized and customized with our favorite characters, quotes or designs. 

They are, in fact, machines designed to transfer your designs from any sheet of paper to another usable medium of your choice, made of all fabric types, metals, glass, wood and ceramic.

These days, most printing businesses use heat press machines to transfer their own designs, according to the customer’s requirements, on T-shirts, mugs, plates, caps, aprons, bags, puzzles, plates, or other materials. 

Any design drawn by hand or created in a computer can be transferred to a T-shirt or other materials with the help of a heat press machine. The working mechanism behind these machines is quite simple, and they can be described in a few steps, as you can see them below: 

  1. For using a heat press machine, you’ll first need to make use of an inkjet printer. The design, if made on a computer, needs to be printed on the same kind of transfer paper or transfer vinyl paper using sublimation ink. Ideally, inkjet printers are the perfect choice for this kind of printing instead of laser printers, because they can work with different kinds of ink as opposed to laser printers which work with toner.
  2. Alternatively if you don’t own an inkjet printer, you can use sublimation ink on transfer paper with hand-drawn designs. Sublimation ink is also available in the forms of marker pens and they can be used to draw any kind of designs or artwork you want. These designs can then be used in a heat press machine to be transferred to any other material you want to. 
  3. Then, the heat press machine needs to be turned on. 
  4. After that, the thermostat knob needs to be adjusted or the right numbers need to be inserted into the machine until you have the temperature you need for the material you are using. Temperature options are usually available in both Fahrenheit and Celcius mode, and you can choose the one that fits your requirement. Usually, the temperature range of a heat press machine depends on all the materials you can use in the machine to print on. 
  5. In some machines, you can also select the number of prints you want to make one after another. This option is helpful when you are dealing with a bulk order, but not necessary when you are only making a few copies. 
  6. The next step would be to turn on the machine, and it is when the heating plate will start to heat up. 
  7. Open the heating plate and move it away from the bottom base. With some machines, the heating plate can be swung 360-degree away from the bottom base, which makes it easier to use the machine without burning your fingers. 
  8. Lay down the T-shirt on the bottom base of the heat press machine. The portion where you want to transfer the design needs to stay facing upwards. 
  9. Place the transfer paper with the design printed on it on top of the T-shirt. The ink part or the design needs to be facing downwards on the T-shirt. 
  10. Bring the handle of the heat press machine down, which will bring down the heating plate on top of your T-shirt and your transfer paper. 
  11. Set the right time also needs to be set for the machine, which also depends on both the design and the material you are using. Time ranges in heat press machines are usually measured in terms of seconds, and the range also depends on the materials you are allowed to use on that machine. 
  12. Wait for the transfer to take place inside the machine, depending on the time you have set. 
  13. In some models, the heat press machine will automatically shut down when the time is over. Otherwise, an alarm can be heard, reminding you of the time. 
  14. Lift the handle of the machine and open the press. 
  15. Peel the transfer paper off your T-shirt, which should be devoid of any ink by now. The design, on the other hand, should ideally be transferred to your T-shirt precisely. 
  16. In case of mugs, caps, hats, or plates, the process is the same. The right kind of attachment, i.e. the mug press, the plate press or the hat/cap press needs to be attached to the main machine and the material needs to be placed on/inside the attachment. The transfer paper also needs to be either wrapped around the material, in case of a mug or a cup, or placed on the material. 

So as you can see, the process is a simple one and each print doesn’t take a lot of time to complete, or much expertise to begin with. With the right heat press machine, anyone can transfer their designs to a T-shirt, a tote bag, mug, or anywhere they want. 

Best Heat Press Machine for T-shirts: Buying Guide

Most heat press machines come with similar features and use, but they still differ in many aspects, mainly in their size, number of attachments, and versatility.

Therefore, the right heat press machine depends on your business, i.e. how you plan to use it for your printing needs. 

When buying a heat press machine for your personal use or for your business, you’ll need to keep a lookout for some special aspects. 

Versatility, or the Number of Attachments

Just how versatile a heat press machine depends on the number of attachments that come with the machine. The basic heat press plate can be used to print your designs on T-shirts and other fabric-based materials, even some ceramic plates and tiles, puzzles or mousepads.

However, for printing on special objects like a travel mug or a cup, hats, and caps, or plates, you’ll definitely need the help of special attachments. 

Now, although these additional attachments are very similar in most machines, you can still find them coming with the heating plate in sets of 5 or 8, or even more.

The heat press machines that come with 4 or 5 other attachments usually include hat presses, plate presses and mug presses, such as the Mophorn 5-in-1 Heat Press Machine or the WOOKRAYS 5-in-1 Heat Press Machine. Both of these heat press machines come with similar attachments for materials other than T-shirts. 

On the other hand, some machines come with larger attachments, such as the Hihone 8-in-1 Heat Press Machine and the VIVOHOME Upgraded 8-in-1 Combo Machine.

They also come with attachments that are similar to the ones mentioned above, but in a larger number. These two machines, for example, each had 4 mug/cup presses and 2 plate presses. 

At the same time, some heat presses don’t come with any extra attachments other than the main heating plate attached to the machine. The PowerPress Industrial-Quality Digital Sublimation Heat Press Machine is one such machine. 

Therefore, the kind of heat press machine that you choose depends on the extent of your business – whether you are simply starting out with T-shirts and tote bags, or if you want to expand your business to other materials. 

Size of Heating Plate 

Every heat press machine comes with a default heating plate whose size depends on the model. These heating plates differ in size and shape, and they are basically used for printing on T-shirts, aprons, pillowcases, cushion covers, tote bags, etc. 

Depending on the purpose of the business, these heating plates can be 7” x 8” in size, which can be found in the VEVOR 7” x 8” Heat Press Machine.

Or they can be as large as 15” x 15”, as found with the Tolsous 15” x 15” Heat Press Machine. With a bigger heating plate, the heat press machine can be used to print your designs on XXXL T-shirts or pillowcases, whereas with the smaller ones, you might only be able to print smaller designs. 

Swing-Away Design 

This may not sound very important, but some machines come with a 360-degree swing away design for you to open the heating plate and they are much easier to use.

With these kinds of heat press machines, the heating plate will start to heat up immediately after turning on the machine.   

During this time, using the workspace might mean accidentally burning your fingers or arms if the heated plate is directly above your workspace.

On the other hand, with the swing-away design, the heated plate would be completely out of your way while you lay down the material and the transfer paper on the machine, keeping your hands safe. 

This is a common feature that’s actually present in most best t shirt heat press, but some machines don’t have this feature, such as the Dollate 12” x 10” Heat Press Machine.  

Temperature Adjustment 

Both the temperature and the time range of heat press machines depend on the kind of materials used in the machine.

The machines that are only compatible with fabrics have a lower range of temperature and time limit, i.e. the Dollate 12” x 10” Heat Press Machine. This machine’s temperature range can be adjusted from 1°F and 250℉, which is actually low compared to other more versatile machines. 

On the other hand, machines come with multiple attachments and can be used on materials other than just fabric, i.e. glass, metal, ceramic and wood. 

The Hihone 8-in-1 Heat Press Machine, for example, is a machine that comes with multiple attachments, in which the temperature can be adjusted from 32 to 430°F.  

Other Features 

Other important features, which are fortunately present in most heat press machines, include: 

  • Option to switch between Fahrenheit and Celcius, which can be helpful for you to follow your instructions. 
  • Uniform heating, so that the edges of the heating plate are heated exactly as much as the vcenter of the plate, guaranteeing precise and perfect transfer of ink. 
  • Removable heating plate, so that you can clean it or replace it when needed. 
  • Automatic shut-down option which is helpful if you ever forget that you’ve left the machine on. 
  • Sound alarm, which is also helpful for the same reason. 
  • One press operation. 
  • Clear LED/LCD display to see what temperature and time mode you’ve chosen. 
  • Silicone or Teflon coating on the heating plate and/or the base so that your materials are safe and protected even when they’re in the machine under high temperature. 
  • Easy-to-use attachments. 

All these features are very important aspects that you need to consider when buying your first heat press machine, or even when you already have experience with them. 

What are the Good Brands of Heat Press Machines? 

While all the heat press machines listed in this article are efficient and popular among users, some brands are actually more well known than others regarding the versatility and usefulness of their products. 

Cricut, for example, is a world-renowned brand, but they are more known for their cutters, plotters and computer-operated cutting machines.

Although they are quite famous for their cutting machines, they don’t have many options for heat press machines. 

On the other hand, PowerPress is one of the major manufacturers of heat press machines. They make these machines in a variety of shapes and sizes, from smaller machines that resemble household irons to larger commercial-grade heat press machines.

In fact, PowerPress is a brand often praised for their versatility, durability, and efficiency. These machines can work on more materials and surfaces than just fabrics and ceramics. 

WOOKRAYS is also another popular brand when it comes to heat press machines. Although they also make electric skateboards, air fryers, scooters, skating shoes and other toys for children, their heat press machines are also quite popular.

One thing about WOOKRAYS heat press machines is that they are mostly elaborate machines and come with additional attachments.

With WOOKRAYS heat press machines, it is possible to transfer your designs to travel mugs and cups of different shapes and sizes, as well as hats and caps, ceramic, wood, glass and metal. 

VIVOR and VIVOHOME are also renowned brands for heat press machines, as are Hihone and Mophorn. The other brands mentioned in the article also have efficient heat press machines, but they may not be as renowned in the field.  

How Much Does a Heat Press Machine Cost? 

The price of heat press machines depends on a few factors: how big or how versatile the machine is, the brand, and on how many attachments 

Smaller heat press machines that almost resemble a household iron cost much less than commercial-grade ones. They come with relatively small heating plates that are around 9” x 9” or 7” x 8” and are basically used for transferring your designs to T-shirts, aprons and tote bags.

Because they are small and they don’t come with any additional attachments, they are usually priced around $100 or $150. Some of them, depending on the brand and the size, can also cost under $100.

On the other hand, larger, commercial-grade heat press machines that can single-handedly complete bulk orders are more expensive.

They are priced around $250 to $300, or even more. The more attachments they come with, i.e, the more types of materials they can be used on, the more these machines cost. 

The price of heat press machines also depends on their brands, i.e. the more well-known the brand is, the more expensive the machine is. 

What are the Types of  Heat Press Machines? 

Till now, we’ve mostly talked about what heat machines are, and what they do, as well as the different important features these machines come with that can help us in our printing business.

In fact, we haven’t discussed one more crucial factor of these machines that can influence your decision to invest in one: the types of heat press machines available in the market. 

When it comes to different types, we can distinguish heat press machines into four categories: clamshell-type heat press machines, swinger or swing-away type heat press machines, draw heat press machines, and sublimation T-shirt press machines. 

As you can understand from the names, these types mainly refer to how the machines open and close and their working mechanism. Now let’s get down to what these differences mean in detail. 

1. Clamshell-Type Heat Press Machines 

The most important feature of clamshell heat press machines is that they can carry out their printing function on several layers of your material at the same time.

This machine can be used to transfer your designs not just on T-shirts or any piece of fabric you place on the bottom base of the machine, but also on paper and cardboard boxes, mugs, hats, sweatshirts, etc. 

These machines got the name because they open like a clam or an oyster shell. You can simply take the handle of the machine and pull the top heating plate ‘up’, and the machine will open and close just like a clamshell does.

The two parts of the heat press machine are connected with hinges that can be opened and closed easily with your hands. 

Another important feature of these heat press machines is that they need to be operated with manual pressure. The more physical pressure you can apply on the top heating plate of the machine when you bring it down on top of your T-shirt, the better the transfer of design will take place.

This is a problem when working with thicker materials, like a sweatshirt or a mousepad, because the pressure isn’t always right. 

Although clamshell-type heat press machines are available in manual and automatic mode, manual ones are more popular for printing T-shirts. 

Another important reason business owners invest in these types of machines is their limited space in the workplace. Because these machines open up directly over the machine instead of left or right, they don’t require a lot of space around themselves.

Only the space needed to place the heat press machine on top of a worktable is what it needs. These machines can also easily fit in a corner of a room if you don’t have enough space around, and they are also much more affordable than the other types of heat press machines. 

The PowerPress Industrial-Quality Digital Sublimation Heat Press Machine is a clamshell-type machine that can be opened and closed like a clam, and is perfect for printing T-shirts and other fabric-based and similar materials. 

2. Swinger or Swing-Away Heat Press Machines

Most commercial-grade heat press machines come with a swinger or a swing-away opening, which is easier to use.

In these machines, the top or the upper platen of the machine, which is also the platen that heats up intensely, doesn’t simply open above the machine, but can be swung away completely from the lower platen. 

Why is this so significant? Because the heating platen can become extremely hot while the machine is in use. Depending on the material we are using, the platen can get up to 250° or 300° hot, which is a lot for even the briefest contact with our skin.

But because the top platen of the swing-away heat press machine can be moved away completely from the lower platen, leaving you a free space to work on your materials, it is a much safer option. 

The larger and commercial-grade heat press machines in the market these days are swing-away machines that are much safer to use.

These are especially popular in large scale printing businesses because these businesses also have large working spaces, and these machines require open space all around.

In fact, swing-away heat press machines ideally need to be placed in the middle of a room or in the middle of a large work table so that it has open space all around it. 

Swing-away heat press machines are also popular because they usually come with multiple attachments that can be used to print your designs on mugs, caps, hats and plates.

With clamshell heat press machines, the additional attachments need to be bought separately not with swing-away machines. These machines generally come with 5 or more additional attachments for printing on materials other than fabric. 

3. Draw Heat Press Machines 

These kinds of heat press machines are similar to those that are swing-away or swinger-type heat press machines, but with one big difference.

In the case of draw heat press machines, you’ll be able to pull the lower heating platen towards you instead of pushing the upper platen away from you.

However, they both mean the same thing, that you’ll have plenty of workspace to properly place your materials on the lower platen without having to worry about burning your fingers or arms. 

Draw heat press machines come with moveable work plates or moveable lower platens, which is much easier to use than a clamshell-type heat press machine.

They are also smaller than swing-away machines and take less space, as you’ll not need to have spare space around the machine to push the upper platen away. 

4. Sublimation Heat Press Machine  

Sublimation machines are exclusively used to transfer your designs and quotes to T-shirts and other garments. This is actually a type of working mechanism for heat press machines and not just how they are designed, because it is the working mechanism that makes these heat press machines different from the other types. 

This process uses sublimation ink for the transferring process, which is the same kind of ink that’s used in printing the designs on transfer paper when printed with an inkjet printer. However, you use the best best sublimation heat press, the ink permanently embeds itself in the fabric.

The sublimation method is more compatible with polyester and cotton-poly blend. During the process, the ink, printed or used on transfer paper or transfer vinyl, turns into gas from a solid form, and then embeds itself into the fabric. When the ink cools again against the fabric, it solidifies into a permanent form on the fabric.

The main difference between the sublimation process and a regular heat press machine is that sublimation printing doesn’t print an additional layer of design on top of the fabric, but that the ink is embedded into the fabric. 

A good thing about the sublimation process is that it doesn’t add any unnecessary weight or texture to your fabric, as the ink becomes a part of the fabric itself.

This also means that the sublimation process is a permanent one and that the design will not gradually peel off with every wash.

In fact, the image will last as long as the fabric lasts and only become subtle and pale with regular use, just like any fabric does. 

Besides, with sublimation heat press machines, your designs can also be transferred to materials other than fabric, i.e. coasters, mugs and cups, puzzles, and jewelry. 

Apart from these four categories, some heat press machines can also be categorized as multipurpose heat press machines. 

5. Multipurpose Heat Press Machine

best multifunction heat press machine can do almost everything the other kinds of machines do. In fact, they are the most versatile type of heat press machines in the market. 

These kinds of machines come with several attachments, i.e. they are 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 machines with attachments included into the packaging.

The attachments are each for particular materials to work on, i.e. mug presses, hat/cap presses, or plate presses. They are individual pieces of attachments that can be easily connected to the main heating machine when needed. 

Multipurpose Heat press machines are usually of commercial-grade quality, with large heating plates that might be 12” x 15” or even 15” x 15” in size. They also come with a convenient swing-away design that makes it easier to use. 

So these are all the different types of heat press machines that you can find in the marketplace, and knowing their types can definitely help you in making an informed choice. 

How to Use a Heat Press Machine Wisely? 

Using a heat press machine is easy enough if you have the right printer, the right paper, and most importantly, the right sublimation ink. However, if you are a complete newcomer to the world of heat press machines, here are some tips for you. 

  1. Finding the right heat press machine is one of the most important steps for you to take. With all the different types of heat press machines and their features mentioned in this article, you can finally make an informed choice when you are buying one.
  2. Your choice of  material is also important. With most heat press machines, a few specific materials are mentioned that are compatible with the machine. However, it‘s almost the same materials with most machines, which are nylon, polyester, cotton, cotton-poly blend, lycra, spandex, etc. These are the kind of fabrics robust and strong enough to withstand the intense heat of a heat press machine. 

It’s the same with materials other than fabric, i.e. ceramic, glass, rubber, wood, and some metal. 

  1. If you are using any of these previously listed fabrics in your heat press machine, it is better to wash them first. Especially if you are using newly bought materials, washing the fabrics for the first time might make some wrinkles appear on the fabric. If this happens after you’ve already transferred your design to the fabric, it might affect the design. 
  2. How you print your design on transfer paper is also an important and crucial step. You can use an inkjet printer, a laser printer, readymade store-bought designs on transfer paper, or use sublimation markers to make your designs. Whichever mode you are using, two things need to be constant if you want the transfer to be perfect: you have to use sublimation ink and the right kind of transfer paper. 
  3. Another small yet important thing to remember is to always print on the right side of transfer paper. 

Also, designs should be printed as mirror images to what you want it to appear on your fabric or other materials. This is because the printed side of the transfer paper will have to be placed facing down on your T-shirt, and reversed when it has finally been transferred to the fabric. Not printing your design in a mirror image in the transfer paper will make it appear reversed when you’ve finally transferred it to your fabric. 

  1. Transfer papers are expensive, so it might also be a good idea to print your design on an ordinary piece of paper first as a test drive. This way, you might be able to see how the design is actually going to look. 
  2. Finally, when the heat press machine is turned on and you’ve inserted the correct temperature for the material you’re using, wait for the heating plates to reach that particular temperature before you place your material and your design on the lower platen. 
  3. Of course, it is very important that you choose the right temperature for the material you are using, as well as the thickness of the material. The same temperature mode isn’t the right one for all kinds of fabrics, ceramics or glass materials. 
  4. When any garment, i.e. a T-shirt is placed on the lower platen for transferring, it needs to be completely straight without any wrinkle or fold. This is why it’s a good idea to both wash and iron a fabric or a garment before placing it on the heat press machine. Also, the side you want to print on needs to be placed looking upwards. 
  5. Every kind of print made on fabric, glass, ceramic or wood needs to be rested for at least 24 hours before they are disturbed, used or washed. This is the minimum time needed for the ink to dry completely so that it won’t wash away or get smudged. 

If you simply remember to follow these basic tips and rules of heat press machines, all your designs will come out perfectly, even when you are doing something like this for the very first time. 

Temperature and Time Guide for Heat Press Machines

The exact temperature and time needed for effective transfer of design depend completely on the material you are using, their color and texture, the kind of design you want to transfer, the thickness of the material, as well as the type of machine you are using.

In fact, with every heat press machine, you will get a detailed instruction guide for correctly choosing the right temperature and time. 

However, here’s a few examples of how the temperature and time limit should look like in case of different materials. 

  1. For transferring your designs to basic cotton, the temperature should be 380℉ for 15 seconds, with medium pressure, and the transfer paper should be peeled off when the t-shirt is still hot. 
  2. If your design has some glitter in it, the ideal temperature would be 350℉ for 15 seconds, with firm pressure on the heating plate. 
  3. For printing full-color designs or extremely colorful designs, the temperature needs to be 350℉ for 10 to 12 seconds. 
  4. For polyester, the temperature needs to be 270℉ at about 10 seconds. 
  5. If you want your design to have a faded, vintage look, the temperature needs to be at 350℉ for 10 to 12 seconds, with a firm pressure on the heating plate. 
  6. If the material is stretchy and slippery, i.e. spandex or swimming costumes, the temperature needed is 350℉ for 10 to 12 seconds, and the transfer paper needs to be peeled off when the fabric is still hot. 
  7. If the design has been digitally printed on your transfer paper and you are using a very graphic kind of colorful design, the ideal temperature would be 305℉ for just about 5 seconds, with medium pressure. 
  8. For materials with a reflective gear, i.e. glass, the temperature needs to be 305℉ at 10 to 12 seconds with medium pressure. 
  9. If the fabric you are using is of a light color, the ideal temperature would be something around 385℉ for 25 or 30 seconds. The pressure should be firm and the transfer paper should be peeled off when the fabric is still warm. 
  10. On the other hand, if the garment or fabric is dark colored and you want to transfer a very graphic design, the temperature needs to be 365℉ for 25 seconds, with a firm pressure. 
  11. For multipurpose-type materials, the right temperature is 350℉ for 10 to 12 seconds. 
  12. For a more metallic finish, the perfect temperature would be 320℉ for 20 seconds, with the transfer paper to be removed when the fabric is still warm. 

Apart from this basic temperature and time – as well as pressure – guide, it is very important that you get the proper temperature and time setting when using a more uncommon material in your heat press machine. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Heat Press Machines

If you still have some questions about heat press machines, you can hopefully find them answered here in this segment. 

Q: Why is it important that my heat press machine heats up accurately every time? 

A: The accurate temperature is not only important but crucial in a heat press machine when you are trying to transfer your designs.

If the heat is too much, the ink would probably burn out or be pushed out beyond the edge of the image. This will result in a smeared or smudged design, which is highly undesirable. 

On the other hand, if you use too little heat than is correct, the ink will not be activated. The ink will stay on the transfer paper instead of being perfectly transferred to the material, or the end result will be a carpet of haphazard designs instead of a complete one. 

Q: How Can I Make Sure That I am Applying the correct amount of pressure on my design? 

A: If your heat press machine requires manual pressure, you can test it out in a simple way. Place four pieces of paper on the four edges of the lower plate, and place small pieces of printed designs on them.

Now, when you use your hands to apply pressure on the upper plate on a test run, you can see if all the edges of the heat press machine are getting equal and proper pressure. 

Q: Do I need a lot of space to use my heat press machine? 

A: Only a swing-away kind of heat press machine requires a lot of space all around it, which is because the upper plate needs to be pushed away as much as 350-degrees in such machines. 

On the other hand, with draw-type heat press machines and clamshell-type machines, such a large amount of space isn’t required.

These kinds of machines either open on top, or the lower plates can be pulled out from the machine, which doesn’t require a lot of space. These types of machines can be ideally placed at a corner of a room or work table. 

Q: How many pieces can a heat press machine print on every day? 

A: if you can maintain constant heat and temperature, a stable commercial-grade heat press machine can print on hundreds of pieces in a single day. 

Q: Do I need any training to use a heat press machine? 

A: It might take an adult about 10 minutes to learn how a heat press machine works, and a few more minutes to learn how to use it.

Formal training isn’t really necessary for anyone to learn to use a heat press machine, especially for someone who knows how to read and follow instructions. 

Q: Why is a non-stick coating important on the upper platen of a heat press machine? 

A: With a non-stick coating, the upper platen will be protected from any kind of sublimation ink or dye sticking to the plate, which might be later transferred to the next material you’ll be using, ruining the design.

Again, if your upper platen has a non-stick surface, it can be easily cleaned just by wiping it with a piece of cloth. 

Q: How can I take care of and maintain my heat press machine? 

A: Cleaning a heat press machine is easy. All you need to do is to occasionally dust and clean the heating plate, the silicone pads, and the external part of the machine. 

Heating platens can be cleaned with abrasive-free hand soap and a piece of cloth and room temperature water. 

Conclusion 

Commercial-grade heat press machines are quite expensive, and it is important to perform detailed and thorough research before investing in one. This article might be helpful if you are looking forward to spending on a good heat press machine. 

In this single article, you can find everything you need to know when investing in a good heat press machine for your new or existing business, including:

  • What these machines are, 
  • How they work, 
  • How to use them effectively, 
  • Any questions you might have about them, 
  • How to find the right temperature and time settings for your materials, as well as 
  • detailed description on the 20 best heat press machines available in the market at the moment. 

Together, all this information in a single article will hopefully help you to make an informed decision about which one to buy for your business. 

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