Looking for the best heat press machine that lets you create flawless, long-lasting imprints on t-shirts, caps, mugs, etc.?
If yes, we'll help you get your dream heat press in this guide.
As you might already know, finding a great heat press for your unique needs isn't an easy task due to the countless varieties on the market today—with varying designs, capabilities, qualities, price tags, and more.
We spent the last 72 hours scouring the market for the finest heat press machines that easily and flawlessly deliver your artwork onto garments and other surfaces.
We assessed up to 33 popular machines for sturdiness and durability, ease of use, printing capabilities, and value for money.
Eventually, we remained with 15 top-rated heat press machines for your home and business garment printing needs.
Let's look at these top products…
Image
Name
Editor's Rating
Price
Fancierstudio Power Heat press Digital Heat Press
Check PriceCricut Easy Press 2 - Heat Press Machine
Check PricePowerPress Industrial-Quality Digital Sublimation Heat Press
Check PriceSuper Deal PRO 12" X 10" Digital Swing Away Heat Press
Check PriceCricut Easy Press Mini - Heat Press Machine
Check PriceWhy Heat Press?
A heat press is simply a machine that lets you imprint your designs or artwork on various surfaces such as t-shirts, mugs, hats, and more.
If you're planning to buy a heat press machine but not sure if it's a wise investment, here are some of the reasons why you might want to get one...
- Affordability: the various heat press machines on the market today portray the perfect case of "there's something for everyone" …where no matter where your budget lies, you'll find an excellent machine for your needs.
- Versatility: yet another reason to love these machines it a great deal of versatility they present you with. You can use them to imprinting your unique designs on just any type of surface you can think of—from clothing items to cookware, woods, metals, ceramic tiles, crystals, and so on.
- Easy learning curve: don't let anybody fool you! You don't need to attend a class to be able to use a heat press machine. Just follow the manufacturer's instructions, and you're ready to go. Models like clamshell heat presses even feature a beginner-friendly design, making them pretty straightforward for you (the absolute beginner) to use them. You'll get surprised to learn that heat press is much easier to learn than printing methods like screen-printing.
- Multiple designs to choose from: you heard it right…a heat press comes in a variety of designs to pick from. Each model has its own pros and cons. And this enables you to choose just the perfect machine for your unique needs. Heck, they even come in manual and automatic designs to give you even more flexibility in your options!
- ROI (Return on investment): for the business people in the house, the best heat press for shirts is probably the best investment you can make. Why? It lets you mass-produce printed t-shirts. And if things work out well for you—which really will if you've got a quality machine that produces quality results—, then clients will come to your business in droves, and you'll enjoy a good ROI on your investment. Not to forget a quality machine is a long-term investment that serves you for years and years, giving you the ultimate value for money.
- Extended your creativity hobby: if you're looking for a new, fun hobby, then a simple heat press machine for home will come in handy. This will let you print your unique artwork on your kids' or spouses' clothes and other items. You're simply going to love this!
- Takes less space: if space is premium for you, then you might think that a heat press machine will occupy a lot of space in your office or home. But the truth is, you can find a pretty compact machine that consumes way less space than you thought.
- DO you need any more reasons to convince yourself that a heat press machine is a pretty good investment?
NOW…it's time to get down to our list of the most popular heat press machines you can find on the market today…
Our Best Heat Press Machine 2020 Reviews:
1. Fancierstudio Power Heat press Digital Heat Press
If you're looking for the best t shirt press for your small t-shirt printing business, this industrial-grade Fancierstudio Power Heat press will make an excellent choice. The machine comes at a great price and well packaged with everything you need to get your business going (and make your customers happy).
It boasts of a 15 by 15-inch heat platen, which puts it in the class of versatile heat press machines that can do just everything you want them to. You can use it imprint your clients' designs on tees, garments of all shapes and sizes, bags, ceramic tiles, and so much more …including those 4xl tees you might have problems printing on with your current heat press.
What's more, the machine has pretty extensive heat and temperature ranges, 0-999secs and 0-699 degrees F respectively, enabling you to print on various types of cloth materials with different heat settings.
Setting up this machine for use is super-easy right out of the box. You just need to plug it in, punch in the recommended heat settings, and fire it up.
The Fancierstudio will produce excellent results that will leave your clients happy and make them come back again and again! It boasts of electronic time and heat controls, which translates to 100% accurate set-up for various materials you print on, …and this directly translates to quality printing results!
Did we mention that this model comes as an upgrade from its previous model? Some of the notable improvements here include sheet and coating on the heat platen to ensure your substrate doesn't stick on the heat press and silicone rubber base to keep your machine glued down for increased stability.
On top of all this, the machine features a compact, upward opening design, which helps you save as much space as possible in your small shop.
Overall, if you're looking for a highly versatile, affordably-priced heat press machine for your small business, this model is the perfect option. If you're looking for the perfect present for your spouse or loved one who's in the garment printing business, get them this machine today!
Highlighted Features:
- 15 by 15-inch heat press
- Temperature range: 0-699 degrees F
- Electronic time and heat control
- Silicone-gel base board
- Compact, space-saving design
2. Cricut Easy Press 2 - Heat Press Machine
If you're after a portable heat press machine that you can easily take with you anywhere, say on vacation, this Circuit will fit your needs. The model comes with a lightweight and portable design for easy transportation. Plus, it comes packed in a lightweight canvas bag for even easier storage and transportation to any place.
This heat press also features an attractive price tag, so any homeowner who is into crafts hobby can afford it.
The machine simply combines the convenience of your iron with the speed of a modern heat press machine to give you professional iron-on results in less than 60 seconds. The result fast is foolproof, long-lasting results that will stick to your garments after repeated washes.
The Cricut presents you with an extensive (and adjustable) pressure extending up to 400 degrees F. This means it lets you hassle-freely print your designs on a wide range of items, with different heat requirements. It also offers you tested time and temperature for various projects, which helps you eliminate guesswork and achieve quality results. You simply enter the ideal settings for your specific project, apply pressure, and wait for the beep sound!
Like the previous machine, this heat press is also incredibly easy to use, even for the absolute beginners. The 12 x 10-inch platen allows you to struggle-freely print on items of various sizes and shapes, including larger tees, banners, blankets, sweatshirts, and more.
And for your own convenience (or safety?), this machine provides you with an insulated resting base and an auto-shutoff feature.
Remember, this machine makes a perfect complement for the Cricut cutting machines and is also compatible with major heat transfer material brands.
Highlighted Features:
- Platen size: 12 inches x 10 inches
- Precise temperature control
- Adjustable heat up to 400 degrees F
- Insulated resting base
- Convenient auto-shutoff feature
- Lightweight and portable design
- Incredibly easy to use
- Works with all heat transfer material brands
3. PowerPress Industrial-Quality Digital Sublimation Heat Press
PowerPress is a respected brand in the heat press industry. The manufacturer has a great line of heat press machines with proven durability, performance, and user-friendly features. And this PowerPress digital heat press right here is no different from its siblings.
The industrial-grade and impressive features of this heat press enable it to fit the needs of anyone looking for the best t shirt heat press. It comes with a pretty large heating platen, measuring 15 inch by 15 inch, which enables it you to meet all your client's items, no matter how big they appear.
Beginners who want to start a t-shirt printing business will fall in love with the simple design and ease of use of this machine. If you can turn the pressure adjustment knob, then you can operate this PowerPress.
Even better, it features an LCD control board where you simply digitally set the time and temperature for printing on different items—giving you TOTAL control over your machine, eliminating the guesswork in your work, and helping you achieve quality results that leave your clients happy!
Note that the time settings range from 0 to 999 seconds while the temperature runs from 32 to 455 degrees F…the extensive ranges allow you to easily set the desired temperatures for imprinting on just any material your clients bring forth.
Other important features of this machine worth a mention include the silicone-gel baseboard for enhanced stability, Teflon coated heating platen to preventing the annoying sticking experience while making the unit look more appealing, and dual electric system protection to keep you from potential dangers.
Highlighted Features:
- 15-inch by 15-inch heating platen
- Silicone gel base board
- Pressure adjustable heat press
- Digital time and temperature control
- Teflon coated heating platen
4. Super Deal PRO 12" X 10" Digital Swing Away Heat Press
Super Deal is the best affordable heat press you can gift to someone close to you interested in the garments printing work. This heat press is a real SUPER-DEAL! It offers you a full list of impressive features plus incredible performance that makes its low price tag look like a joke.
Ideal for printing t-shirts for family or clients, this heat press comes designed to last a lifetime and offer you value for money. It notably boasts of a steel-welded framework that places it in its own level of sturdiness and stability.
It also features the swing away configuration, which not only helps save a ton of space but also eliminates the chances of your body getting into contact with the heating element, ensuring a safer working environment…and peace of mind.
For top-quality results, you need to apply the right temperature and time settings for your transfers. And this is exactly what this machine is engineered to do. It has an intelligent time and temperature control that lets you key in the suitable duration and pressure for a given material—resulting in truly impressive transfers with long-lasting impressions.
The fact that this unit also features an audible alarm to alert you when the transfer is over means you'll never overexpose any of your garments—further enhancing the quality of your results.
Super Deal makes every aspect of this machine soo easy to operate that even an absolute beginner can figure out things with the first attempt. The full-range pressure adjustment knob makes the machine user-friendlier. The silicone pad promotes a more stable heat press. And the Teflon coating on the heating elements transforms it into a 100% non-stick surface.
Surprise your loved one with this highly affordable, highly recommended Super Deal heating press this Christmas. It'll make the BEST gift they'll never forget.
Highlighted Features:
- Space saving swing away configuration
- Accurate digital time and temperature control
- Teflon coated heating platen
- Adjustable pressure for different materials
- Steel-welded framework for max. sturdiness
- Audible alarm for complete transfer alerts
5. Cricut Easy Press Mini - Heat Press Machine
Hey! Stop using regular iron for your small home projects and get this Circuit Easy Press Mini machine. It has a simplified design in and out, costs you only a few tens of bucks, and delivers excellent results for all your small projects compared to iron-on transfers.
The mini press comes in handy when you have small home projects such as printing on baby clothes, quilting, putting small designs on shoes, t-shirts, pillow, etc. It also makes the perfect heat press machine for printing on unusual items such as hats, shoes, stuffed animals, and more.
The cute little thing is soo easy to use, and easily gets into small areas to ensure it delivers impressive transfer results. It features up to 3 temperature settings for easy customization for different substrates. The beep lets you know the transfer is over to prevent exposure. And its ability to hold temperature perfectly is remarkable!
We like that this mini heat press has a ceramic-coated heat plate that helps ensure dry, even and edge-to-edge heat transfer. The result? Great looking imprints that are sure to last wash after wash.
The great little press also comes with an automatic shutoff feature, where it turns itself when idle. This will not only help save your power bill but also helps create a safer work environment for you. Like its bigger counterparts, this model also features an insulated safety base, which further ensures your safety.
Highlighted Features:
- Perfect mini press for small projects
- Compact design; highly portable
- Automatic shutoff function
- Insulated base for user safety
- Easy to operate
- Ceramic coated heat plate for quality transfers
- Up to 3 temperature settings
6. F2C 5 in 1 Professional Digital Transfer Heat Press Machine
For business owners looking for the best multifunction heat press machine, the F2C 5-in-1 heat press machine might be your perfect match. The unit features industrial-grade strength and durability to enable you to use it for an incredibly long time—making it a great investment with exceptional value.
When you purchase this multifunction unit, it'll present you with up to 5 elements: t-shirt plate, hat/cap press, mug press, plate press #1, and plate press #2. These enable you to transfer colorful pictures/characters of sublimating or dissolved printing ink to make your own custom t-shirts, ceramic plates, mugs, ceramic tiles, caps, jigsaw puzzles, lettering—Anything!
The t-shirt printing board, in particular, measures as big as 12-inch by 15-inch, providing you with sufficient space for printing garments of all sizes from your clients.
QUALITY services are crucial for any business to thrive. This unit comes ready to take your business to the next level with its great results. It provides you with a digital LED controller where you set the ideal time and temperature for various materials to ensure you achieve great-looking, long-lasting prints on your client items.
The full-range pressure adjustment further enhances the quality of your results by providing you with precise pressure application for materials with varying thicknesses.
As one of the easiest to use multifunction units, this heat press comes with a professional swing-away design for user-friendly operation. The heating element comes coated with Teflon to prevent sticking of your transfers. Switching between various presses is also easy as a breeze.
Highlighted Features:
- Large 12-inch x 15-inch heat press
- Detached aluminum cradle for mugs, hats, pads
- Professional swing-away design
- Digital time and temperature display
- Full-range pressure adjustment knob
- Teflon-coated heating element prevents sticking of transfers
- Intelligent audible for after transfer alerts
7. ePhoto New Digital 15" x 15" T-Shirt Heat Transfer Press
This ePhoto is the best heat press machine for shirts for professional, industrial, and home use. You can use it to print your art on various items like shirts garments, mouse mats, bags, ceramic tiles, jigsaw, puzzles, plats, and generally any other flat surfaced item that you wish to personalize.
It has an incredibly large heat press (15 by 15 inches), which enables it to comfortably problem-freely flat surfaced items of all sizes…including those 4xl t-shirts that are a headache to print on with smaller machines.
The super-easy to use unit arrives at your doorstep fully assembled and ready to use right out of the box. It comes equipped with the latest digital LED time and temperature display controller, where you can set the exact time and amount of heat needed to transfer your design on various items, for more precise and high-quality results.
When the set time is reached, the unit alerts you with an integrated audible alarm to ensure you don't overexpose your clients' items and damage the reputation of your tee printing business.
Thanks to the top-mounted pressure knob, you can also easily adjust the amount of applied pressure, depending on the thickness of the material you're imprinting on, further enhancing the quality of your results.
As you take a closer look at the heating element, you'll discover it comes covered with Teflon. This helps create a non-stick surface that prevents scorching of your transfers. The heat press also has an insulating silicone pad at the base, which can withstand extreme temperatures up to 500 degrees for maximum user safety.
Highlighted Features:
- Heat press size: 15-in x 15-in
- Digital time and temperature control
- LCD time & temperature display
- Arrives fully assembled, ready for use
- Pressure knob for easy-to-adjust pressure
- Silicone pad can withstand up to 500 degrees
8. VEVOR Heat Press 12 X 15 Inch Heat Press Machine
Here comes another best heat transfer machine with multi-purpose (5-in-1) design. The machine extends your possibilities of transferring your unique design to items of various shapes with its 5 elements—including the t-shirt press, hat press, mug press, and 2 plate presses—all at a wallet-friendly cost.
If you want to improve the quality of your clients' quality delivery, this is the right machine for you. It comes with a pretty large heating platen (12" by 15"), which lets you print on t-shirts and other clothes with larger sizes. The platen is also Teflon coated to prevent sticking and scorching of your transfers. Keep in mind that this platen is armed with a full range of heating coils for heat consistency through the entire surface.
And unlike the traditional clamshell heat presses, this machine applies direct top-to-bottom pressure to help deliver an even contact with the surface below.
Similar to our previously discussed models, this machine also lets you pre-set the ideal time and temperature for every transfer, translating to quality printing results. Moreover, this unit presents you with a full-range pressure adjustment knob to help you adjust the pressure applied for various materials…for even greater quality.
User safety was in the mind of brains behind this multifunction unit. This is evident from its unique swing-away design, which places the heating plate aside to reduce the possibility of your body coming into contact with it. Moreover, they designed a small red button on the control box to pop when the voltage becomes too high or unstable, protecting your unit from damages.
Highlighted Features:
- Larger 12" x 15" heat platen
- 5-in-1 heat press machine
- Digital LCD time and temperature control
- User-friendly swing-away design
- Full-range pressure adjustment knob
- Removable silicon and cotton pad
- Teflon coated heating platen
9. Transfer Crafts T-Shirt Heat Press & Digital Sublimation Machine
Looking for a cheap heat press machine for your home t-shirt printing projects? If so, this Transfer Crafts machine is an excellent choice. The model features a 9" x 12" printing surface that will handle all your home as well as light commercial tasks. It simply lets you transfer your designs onto any flat surface items you wish to.
That this machine arrives fully assembled. This should put a smile on your face knowing you won't struggle with the assembly part.
Right out of the box, this machine is super-easy to use for anyone, including the beginners. The easy to follow directions make the operation even easier. When you plug it in, it heats up pretty fast…and holds up the heat excellently. So you'll definitely have great user experience as you transfer your unique artworks onto your t-shirts and sweatshirts.
Despite the low cost, this unit also provides you with digital time and temperature control. Needless to mention, this means you get to key in the right amount of heat and duration of exposure for various items you're transferring your designs, taking the quality of your transfers a notch higher. The audible alarm will let you know when the transfer is over so that you don't overexpose your garments and compromise the print quality.
Since this heat press also features a Teflon coating on its heating platen, it'll not scorch your transfers. Its insulating silicone pad can withstand temperatures as high as 500 degrees, assuring you of a safer work environment.
Overall, if you're looking for a budget-friendly heat press for handling your home or light commercial projects, this is the unit for you.
Highlighted Features:
- 9" x 12" printing surface
- Comes fully assembled and ready to use
- Digital LED time and temperature control
- Loud alarm prevents overheating your project
- Pressure knob for easy pressure adjustment
- Teflon coated heating element
- Heavy-duty silicone insulating pad
10. ZENY 5 in 1 Swing Away Heat Press Machine
Looking for a heavy-duty heat press machine for some serious printing on just any item? Say hi to ZENY swing-away heat press machine.
This is an all in one unit that comes armed with all the must-have attachments for printing just any surface of your choice—including garments, mugs, plates, ceramics, glasses, caps and hats, coasters, mousepads, and more.
Like all the other machines that made it to this list, this unit is quite easy to set up and use. If you get stuck, you can always consult the user manual for help, …and if that doesn't help, you can look for video tutorials on YouTube. Switching out the attachments is also a breeze!
Once set up, this machine heats up pretty fast (and maintains the high temperatures) to enable you to get started transferring those designs on your tees ASAP!
For t-shirt printing, you'll appreciate the 12-inch by 15-inch heat press, which enables you to transfer your designs to t-shirts of all sizes without struggling. The Teflon coated platen makes pressing items even easier!
No more guesswork when printing on various items! The unit presents you with an easy to use LCD control board where you can enter the time and temperature settings for various units. This helps you give your clients quality prints that stand out from your competition.
Also, the unit has a full-range pressure adjustment knob to let you apply the right amount of pressure for various items, contributing to the overall quality of the end result.
The adjustable multi-spring balancer and full 360 degrees swing away allow you to move the heating platen away and ensure your body doesn't accidentally get into contact it.
Highlighted Features:
- Large 12-in x 15-in heat press
- 5 in a heat press machine
- Adjustable multi-spring balancer
- Full 360 degrees swing-away design
- Full-range pressure adjustment knob
- Digital time & temperature control
- Adjustable feet for uneven floors
11. Mophorn Heat Press 15x15 Inch 5pcs Heat Press Machine
Still looking for the best t shirt press machine with multifunction design? If yes, this unit from Morphon is also worth considering.
This is an all-in-one unit, just like the other multifunction units we have features on this heat press reviews list. It presents you with 5 elements—which include the hat/cap press, mug press, 2 plate presses, and a t-shirt press—granting you the ability to customize items of ALL shapes.
The overall design of the machine is a true indication that it's built to last. The steel frame makes the until feel incredibly sturdy and durable, all while giving it the strength to withstand the heavy commercial use.
Still on the design, the swing-away arm of this machine provides you with a safer work environment, where you can put away the platen to avoid burning yourself. The thick heating platen and plate presses allow for heat consistency across the entire surface. What's more, the heating platen comes covered with Teflon coating to help protect your transfers from sticking on the surface and scorching.
Thanks to the digital time and temperature control, you'll get to set the right conditions for your transfers. And this directly translates to enhanced quality of your printed items.
Highlighted Features:
- Heating board size: 15 X 15 inches
- Teflon coated platen press element
- Digital time & temperature controller
- Safer swing-away design
- Five-in-one heat press machine
- Adjustable height from13 1/2" to 17"
- Longer arm handle for effortless operation
12. USY 15" x 15" Industrial Quality Heat Press Machine
For the starters having a hard time finding the best heat press for beginners, you might want to try this USY industrial-quality machine. It comes ready to use right out of the box. You just take it out, plug it in and start printing your t-shirts, garments, etc.
The machine is made using quality materials in and out, so it'll serve you for a pretty long period of time…and give you value for your money.
The only thing you might have some difficulties doing as a beginner is setting the temperature and time settings. But if you follow the user manual, you'll realize it's easy as ABC… Note that you're supposed to enter the preset temperature and time settings on the digital control board for the item you're printing on to ensure you achieve a quality printing that doesn't fade easily.
Another thing you'll need to when using this machine is turn the full-range adjustment knob to help adjust the pressure according to the thickness of the material you're working. This, too, is easy to do for a pure novice.
Keep in mind that this machine offers you a pretty large printing surface (15-in by 15-in) to ensure you can hassle-freely accommodate the largest t-shirt on it.
Oh! Remember, it features an anti-overheating feature to prevent machine overheating, fires, and other accidents. The auto-shutoff works hand in hand with this anti-overheating feature to ensure a 100% safe work environment.
Highlighted Features:
- Time & temperature LCD control board
- Large 15-inch x 15-inch heat press
- Pressure adjustable heat press
- Safe anti-overheating feature
- Incredibly easy to use machine
13. Bosstop Portable 9" X 9" Sublimation Heat Press Machine
Bosstop Portable 9" x 9" is another cheap heat press machine for anyone who wants a lightweight, portable machine they can easily take with them to any place. It's also the perfect heat press for home ironing transfer.
Instead of using the regular iron for your home transfers, consider using this machine to make things easier and increase the quality of your prints.
It comes with a 9 by 9 inches heating platen which can handle all your home projects. It comes 100% assembled and ready to use right out of the box, making it an excellent choice for beginners with no experience in these units.
Like the high-end models, this low-cost machine also comes integrated with the latest digital LED time and temperature display controller to help you accurately set the right conditions for your transfers and avoid under/overexposure.
Regarding the design of this machine, it boasts of a comfortable handle that is safe and easy to grip. And despite the low cost, we love that the manufacturer sends it to you with an insulated base and a Teflon coating for more convenient usage.
As a multifunction machine, this unit can transfer a wide variety of items, including photos, metals, bags, words on cotton, mouse mats, jigsaw puzzles, and so much more. Your home transfers just go better!
On top of all this, the affordable heat press has an auto-shutoff feature that automatically shuts off the machine after up to 10 minutes of inactivity. This is a worthy SAFETY feature for a heat press machine.
Highlighted Features:
- 9 "*9" evenly heated plate
- Comfortable, easy-grip handle
- Teflon coated heating platen
- Ready for use right out of box
- Digital LED time & temperature display
- Automatic shut-off
- Lightweight, portable design
14. Weanas 12" X 15" Professional Swing Away Heat Press Machine
For your busy small business, you'll need to invest in an all-in-one heat press machine to help you maximize your profits. This Weanas unit features a 5-in-1 design and comes at a great price point, making it a viable model for your small business.
As an industrial-grade model, it comes with excellent build quality and sturdiness, which enables it to hold up to daily use for years and years.
When you open the box, you'll be thrilled to discover all the 5 elements you need to print on items of all shapes and sizes. These elements include the t-shirt plate, mug press, hat/cap press, and plate presses (#1 and #2). Aren't these all you need to take your small business to the next level?
As with nearly all the other machines that made up this list, this unit comes with a built-in LED screen that displays the time and temperature settings for various materials you're working on.
After you key in the time and temperature for a given project and start working on it, automatic countdown starts, and a self-locking alarm stops when the duration is over. This ensures that each project enjoys the ideal exposure time, greatly improving the quality of your results.
For even more amazing results, you can use the pressure regulating handle to adjust the pressure applied to various materials.
Because this multifunction heat press has a professional swing-away design, you don't have to worry about accidentally hurting yourself when using it.
Highlighted Features:
- 5-in-1 swing-away heat press
- Removable silicone and cotton pads
- 4/5-inch thick heating board
- -Digital LED controller
- Large 12" x 15" printing surface
- Teflon-coated, non-stick heating platen
15. BetterSub Heat Press 5 in 1 Heat Press Machine
The last product our list of heat press reviews goes to this 5-in-1 heat press machine from BetterSub. This is another multifunction unit, with industrial-grade quality, ideal for your busy tee printing business or home use.
The complete package includes the 5 essential elements for printing in various items, including plates, mugs, t-shirts, ceramic tiles, bags, hats and caps, and more.
Operating this unit is quite easy for everyone. The included instructional manual makes the machine easy to operate for beginners who have never touched a heat press machine before.
This machine not only allows you to print on just any item but also improves the quality of your transfer. This is made possible by the digital time and temperature controls…and the convenient LCD screen which clearly displays the pre-set conditions for various transfers.
Not to forget, it features a pressure knob for adjusting the amount of pressure applied to various items.
With the unique swing-away 360-degrees design, it goes without saying that this machine also minds your safety. It lets you put away the hot platen to prevent accidental contact with your body.
A quick peek at the base of this unit, you'll discover a heat-resistant silicone pad that can withstand temperatures up to 700 degrees F for worry-free operation. And on the printing board, you'll find an easy-to-clean Teflon coating that makes the surface 100% non-stick.
Highlighted Features:
- 5-in-1 industrial quality machine
- 12" by 15" printing surface
- Teflon-coated heating platen
- Full time and temperature digital control
- Unique swing-away design
- Adjustable pressure knob
- Heat-resistant silicone pad
T-shirt Printing Machine Buying Guide:
BEFORE you make a choice, you ought to assess the different heat press machines to ensure the one you settle for will live up to your unique needs and demands.
Use these KEY factors to help you pick the best heat press machine for your needs:
Build quality
One of the most important things to look for in heat press machines is its overall build quality.
You don't want to invest in a model that feels flimsy and starts showing signs of breakage after only a few uses.
If you're looking for a unit for your tee printing business, you want to ensure the model you buy feels incredibly sturdy and durable. This will ensure it can withstand the daily (heavy) use and last for years so that you can enjoy value for your money.
Look for models that come with industrial-grade quality. The steel frame is highly recommended — the less the welds in the framework, the better.
But…remember that quality construction means you'll need to get deeper into your pockets.
Time & temperature controls
Time and temperature are crucial aspects of your heat press machine.
When it comes to transferring designs and artwork on t-shirts, garments, and other items, the quality of the final result heavily depends on the amount of heat applied and the duration of exposure.
And different items you print on have varying temperature and time requirements.
You want to give your clients quality results so that they'll return, right?
That being said, look for a model with easy to control temperature and time settings for various materials you wish to print on.
We strongly advise you to get a model with digital timer and temperature controller since it lets you pre-set the time and temperature values for different items—assuring you of precise settings and high-quality prints that don't easily fade after many washes.
A unit that features an audible alarm to alert you when the transfer is over is even better.
Adjustable pressure
Like time and heat, pressure also plays a major role in the quality of your results.
Even pressure application during the transfer process will significantly contribute to great quality results. Apply too little pressure, and your transfer will be partially transferred to your garment.
That said, the pressure goes hand in hand with the thickness of the item you're printing on.
The model you buy must have an adjustable pressure to let you set the right amount of pressure for various substrates for quality results.
For models that present you with a knob for pressure adjustment, make sure the knob is well situated for easy reach and feels comfortable on your hand. Also, make sure it's well built to withstand regular turnings.
Size
You'll also need to check the physical size of the machine you wish to buy.
Ideally, you want to ensure you get a machine that fits in the available space in your home or business and will accommodate the various items you intend to print.
If space is an issue, then you'll be better off with a clamshell model…these models take up approx. 2 ft. of counter space.
The swing-away design comes with larger platens, which means it takes up a lot of space. If you have space, however, we suggest that you go for this model as it's user-friendlier.
Regarding the items you plan to print on, a platen measuring 16 x 20-inch will come in handy if you plan to print on adult garments.
For smaller projects, anything around 9 x 12-inch will meet your needs.
Brand
The biggest mistake you can make when choosing a heat press is buying from less-known manufacturers just because they put an attractive price tag on their product.
Most people don't know this, but most heat press brands are based in China and manufacture low-quality products that end up frustrating you.
To be on the safe side, make sure you're buying from a well-known manufacturer with reliable customer service. They should also provide extensive troubleshoot resources online where you can easily look for fixes for issues with their machines.
All the products in heat press machine reviews come from reputable names in the industry like Power Press, Mophorn, and ZENY.
Quick Tip: As much as possible, look for machines by USA-based brands as they offer excellent quality and reliable customer support.
PRO TIP: Who is the intended user of the new machine?
By now, you already know that heat press machines come with different styles and designs. And this means the ease of use varies as you move from model to model.
If the intended user is an absolute beginner who has never used heat press before, then you'd want to look for a simple, beginner-friendly model that the user can easily figure out how to operate by just looking at it.
Additional features:
- Portability: do you plan to be moving around with your press? If yes, then you should ensure you get a lightweight, compact model that you can easily take with you anywhere. A model that comes with a carry pouch is even easier to transport.
- Silicone base: a heater-resistant silicone pad at the base of your machine will help boost the stability of the machine, ensuring hassle-free operation.
- Teflon coating: a heat platen that comes covered with Teflon coating helps ensure your transfers don't get stuck or scorch and get damaged. If your machine doesn't come with this coating, then you'll have to buy one separately.
- Thick platens: machines will thick platens tend to retain heat better than the thin ones. And this means they contribute to quality print results.
- Voltage: pay attention to the power requirements of the unit you plan to buy. You don't want to purchase a unit that consumes huge chunks of electricity. Otherwise, all your money will be going to power bills and thus melt down your profit margins.
- Warranty: don't forget the length of the warranty offered on the product you buy. Where possible, go for models that come with a lifetime warranty.
Types of T-shirt printing
The two most popular types of t-shirt printing include screen-printing and heat press methods.
Unknown to most people, however, there are several other methods you can use to customize your t-shirts.
Let's take a closer look at these methods below:
- Screen printing: for superior t-shirt printing quality, screen printing is the way to go. It offers you brilliant, impressive designs in multiple colors. However, note that this method is most suited for mass printing of tees and not one-offs or smaller printing projects. You'll also need to take time to learn how to do it.
- Heat press printing: as the name suggests, this method relies on heat to print on your tees. You just need a special type of paper, transfer paper, to make your designs and then transfer it to your t-shirts using heat and pressure. The method produces excellent quality and is ideal for complex designs. If you're just starting your t-shirt printing business and you have an average amount of orders to work on, this is a great method for you.
- Direct to garment: usually abbreviated as DTG, this relatively new method involves directly printing on your t-shirt. The resulting quality is pretty good; you'll get a soft print in multiple colors. The DTG printer needed for this method is pretty expensive, so you might only consider using this method for mass production of tees.
- Sublimation method: sublimation is the perfect printing method if you wish to print all over a tee. It produces highly unique, super soft, and smooth designs. And it doesn't limit you on the graphics, styles, and colors to use. Unfortunately, it works best for polyester fabrics. It might be a bit challenging to print on creases and folds like the armpit areas.
- Vinyl printing: this method involves professionally cutting vinyl material using CAD (computer-aided design) plus other special software. Afterword, you can print the vinyl material on a t-shirt using the heat press machine. The method is pretty easy to do and delivers long-lasting results. But it's not suitable for large orders.
Which of these methods would you like to try?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much is a heat press for t-shirts
The cost of a heat press machine varies from model to model. Generally, the price ranges from $300 all the way up to $3000, depending on a model's manufacturer, printing performance, style, and list of features.
If you're looking for a simple heat press for an absolute beginner, it should cost you approx. $200-$500. For an intermediate user, you'll need to spend around $500-$1,000.
And if you've got money to spend, and you want the most advanced heat press machine, then you should get ready to cough out a thousand bucks or more (i.e., anything around $1000-$3000).
2. How big of a heat press do I need?
The ideal size of the heat press for you will depend on the amount of workspace available and the size of the garments you wish to print on.
If you have unlimited space, then you can go for a large model, such as the swing-away design. For limited space, however, you should confine yourself to models with space-saving design such as the clamshell.
As for the size of clothes you want to print on, you can get a 9 x 12-inch heat press for home use for printing on smaller cloth items, say your baby's garments.
For printing clients, however, you're not always sure what size they'll bring in for printing, so you should go for models with large printing surfaces such as 15 x 15-inch or 16 x 20-inch.
3. Do I need a heat press for vinyl?
It's possible to use your household iron to make a heat transfer vinyl and achieve your desirable quality. However, using a heat press machine which is specially designed for this job will make the process much easier and faster.
4. What are the best t-shirts to print on with my new heat press?
Generally, a heat press machine can print on just any t-shirt fabric, except for the heat-sensitive ones.
Some of the fabrics you can safely print on with a heat press include cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blends, and canvas.
If you're printing on t-shirts containing synthetic materials, such as polyester, you'd want to keep the time and temperature low to ensure you don't scorch the end product.
For tri-blend tees (these usually contain polyester, rig spun cotton, and rayon), heat pressing on them can be pretty challenging due to the presence of heat-sensitive rayon, which can easily scorch when exposed to high heat.
ALWAYS make sure you understand the materials used to make a given t-shirt before heat pressing it.
5. How long does a heat press machine last?
A good quality heat press machine lasts almost forever. It can reliably serve you for a pretty long time, anywhere from 10 to 20 years, with minimal issues.
However, you might be forced to replace your old machine before time to enable you to enjoy the latest technology and features in a modern heat press unit.
Final Verdict
A heat press machine is a worthy investment for both businessmen and homeowners.
Regardless of what you intend to use your machine for, however, it's essential to take your time to asses and compare different models to ensure you get the best heat press machine that lives up to your unique needs and expectations.
The above guide will equip you with all the info you need to easily navigate the saturated heat press market and find a model that serves your unique interests.
Our heat press machine reviews section has provided you with some of the most popular models you can find on the market today. Did you find a perfect heat press for your unique needs from this list?