The threadable platen design also allows you to avoid seams, zippers and buttons when heat pressing, providing smooth, even pressure with less need for additional accessories, such as pillows or pads. The free-standing Heat Press Caddie™ stand version frees up counter space, leaving more room for layout and necessary heat printing accessories. As an alternative, you could also choose the Heat Press CounterCaddie™ stand for a more compact version which can be easily placed onto a counter space. That being said, we have attempted to make this guide as unbiased as possible, and we have included information on presses which we do not supply.

There are two types of heat press machine available: swing away and clam. Swing away versions have a press that lifts up vertically before swinging horizontally to the right, whereas clam and clamshell presses simply lift upwards.

For more advice on how to correctly apply heat transfers, view our heat transfer press application tips. That brings us to the end of the heat press guide. I know, just as you were getting into it! We’re planning releasing a sequel – but then again they said that about Avatar so don’t hold your breath!

In other words, we won’t try to sell you a heat press, or any other products, based on our preferences – we will guide you based on what we feel is best for you, even if it means recommending that you buy a heat press from a competitor, which we will always do if we felt that the best press for you was one which we don’t supply. Platen size is the most important factor when choosing a heat press, as it determines the maximum image sizes that can be applied. Timer Function: A timer with an audible alarm is useful for accurate heat application and preventing overexposure. For tasks such as sublimation printing using sublimation paper and inks, a high pressure heat press machine isn’t usually required, so sublimation heat presses are often quite cheap. However, for transfer printing of Custom Transfers, Heat Transfer Vinyls and Heat Transfer Papers using sufficient pressure is recommended by using a high quality press.Wide opening for easy garment placement: 65 degree opening (10% wider than most available in the UK) Clam presses are often favoured amongst garment printers as they require less operator effort, and they make for slightly faster production speeds with slightly less physical user effort required as with swing away presses. If the process you’re going to be using does require particularly heavy pressure, then the main thing to keep in mind is that it takes a well-built heat press, using sturdy framework and high-quality components to make a heat press which is capable not only of delivering heavy pressure but also of being able to withstand that pressure over time.