This size refers to the size of the heat platen, and also the size of the bottom table/platen which comes with the heat press. There are also different sized lower platens available for some heat presses, allowing you to thread different sized items onto the lower table. For more advice on how to correctly apply heat transfers, view our heat transfer press application tips. Our Cricut EasyPress vs Stahls Heat Press UK guide is worth reading to gain a better understanding of the differences if you’re unsure.

Not all presses have the same capabilities when it comes to heavier pressure, it depends on how well built the heat press is, and the quality of all of the components used. presses work by pumping out the air and creating a vacuum, so that the silicone membrane creates the pressure, and the air within the 3D press is heated. The desktop 3D presses are basically like small desktop ovens with a vacuum platen inside them.If further down the line you end up with various pieces of equipment such as a flat press, cap press, mug press & so on, then this brings with it some additional benefits over owning a combination press. They develop quality, precision heat transfer and fusing presses for worldwide distribution. A. Adkins and Sons Limited policy is one of constant improvement and/ or modification to meet changing conditions and as such they remain as a pre-eminent force in our industry for sublimation heat presses. The lasers can be used with any size heat platen, including specialised platens (e.g. sleeve platen)

Sublimation Printing: Heat presses are essential for sublimation printing, a process where designs are transferred onto polyester-based materials such as polyester shirts, mugs, and phone cases using heat-activated inks. The heat press helps in turning the ink into a gas, which then bonds with the material, resulting in vibrant, durable prints. For this reason, it would seem even more important to choose a well-known and trusted brand if you’re deciding on a combination press. This post from Patriot Print Supply gives some good info regarding heat press size. Threadable, What’s That? Additional lower heat press platens: All of our Hotronix heat presses have a variety of different shapes and sizes of lower platens which make the placing and applying onto garments much easier. For example, printing a child’s garment on a 40x50cm heat press is much easier with a 15x25cm lower platen.Don’t worry, we don’t have any pushy sales people, in fact we don’t have any sales people… but we do have people who know about heat presses and will be happy to chat to you about them. We imported a range of Chinese flatbed presses, but we stopped offering them simply because they are a lot more demanding when it comes to after-sales support, than the branded presses. Hotronix also manufacture Heat Press Power Platens which are specifically designed to generate heat from the bottom heat press platen, allowing for a reduced temperature in the top platen which reduces the appearance of visible scorch marks on delicate and heat-sensitive polyester or synthetic fabrics, and reduce the risk of dye migration. They are available in 4 sizes, each controlled by one interchangeable Hotronix Heat Press Power Platen Controller (sold separately):

Wide opening for easy garment placement: 65 degree opening (10% wider than most available in the UK) Hotronix® MAXX, Auto-Open and Fusion IQ Heat Presses are high-quality heat presses which are proudly made in the USA, and their entire range of heat presses are widely regarded as the industry’s most accurate, innovative and technologically advanced heat presses available anywhere in the world. Hotronix heat presses continuously outperform rivals in comparison tests and outlast the competition in all aspects. As with most kinds of equipment, there are well known trusted brands, including the presses that we supply, and then there are non-branded options which are usually cheaper. Customising clothing: Heat presses are widely used to apply designs, logos, and graphics to clothing items such as t-shirts, hoodies, caps, and jerseys. Heat transfer vinyl, sublimation ink, or heat transfer paper is used to create these designs. We recommend leaving the heat press in the “open” position to ensure that the silicone rubber on the lower platen isn’t perished by the heat which remains in the upper platen when powered or immediately after being switched off. In addition, for heat presses which have springs, rather than dampers, leaving it open also ensures that they aren’t weakened by prolonged periods at full extension. Do most people leave their heat presses on all day?Pressure Adjustment: An adjustable pressure knob or lever is crucial for applying the right amount of pressure to different materials. Cheap heat presses are made cheap by using cheap components, so even if you’re buying a press which appears to be able to deliver enough pressure for your process, this doesn’t mean that one of the components isn’t going to give in under the strain. Clam Heat Transfer Press: This style of heat press machine is a compact design which is by far the most common, and has a heated upper platen which opens directly over a lower platen. The “clam” comes from the opening and closing being similar in style to a clam shell.

Equal heat across the entire surface is important for high-quality sublimation. MANUAL OR PNEUMATIC The Stahls Hotronix Fusion heat press is a dual operation draw and swing head press. Stahls Hotronix Fusion Heat Press The idea of multi-function “combo” or combination heat presses such as a “5 in 1 heat press” is that instead of buying multiple machines, such as a cap press, mug press, plate press & flat press, you can just buy one press to do all these products. The temperature, pressure and time are all specific to the particular heat transfer that you are applying – All of the vinyls and custom transfers we supply are shipped with instructions to guide you on this. How do I clean my heat press if I get something on the upper platen? Heat transfer presses are produced in several different sizes to ensure that there is a press to meet every business requirement. Based on the presses we supply, the difference between the sizes is as follows:

Buying heat presses from outside of the UK.

There are many low-cost presses available on the UK market which could be tempting to buy when you are initially setting up your business to save on costs. However, we strongly advise caution when buying a cheap, unbranded heat press machine as they tend to be less reliable and unsuitable as the crucial equipment at the centre of a garment printing business. BR][BR]The Cricut EasyPress 3 is the top-of-the-range heat press, with Bluetooth® connectivity to instantly connect with the Cricut Heat app for optimal settings at a tap of your phone. Alternatively, opt for the Cricut heat press mini in the handheld EasyPress Mini. Great for awkwardly shaped items or extra-small projects, you can easily curve with contours making work on soft toys, shoes and more, simpler, and with greater success. You can even get in between seams with the pointed tip and lightweight manoeuvrability. If you were starting a driving related business, you probably wouldn’t be looking to buy the very cheapest vehicle you could get your hands on. Instead, you would focus on reliability, as your vehicle as a driver is of prime importance. The same would be true if you were looking at buying a boat to run a business doing boat tours, or whatever the case may be. Hotronix MAXX Clam Heat Presses: These are mid-level clam heat presses which are proudly built in the USA by Hotronix and are of exceptional quality.