Best Heat Press Machine: Our Top 10 Picks

When you’re starting a printing business, the best heat press machine is the most important piece of equipment to have. They’re used to transfer designs and graphics to different kinds of merchandise. These make them the handiest tools to have if you want to mass produce specific products such as shirts and mugs.

The best part is that they come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and configurations that will help you easily do different tasks with ease. With so many great options, it’s not a question about whether you’ll find a fantastic heat press machine. The challenge is in choosing which one will be the best pick for you.

So, to help cut your search short or at least narrow down your options, we’ve listed down ten of the best heat press for home use and for businesses too. Take your pick with a few of the top ranked equipments in the market today.

The Best Heat Press Machines in the Market Today

1. Fancierstudio PowerPress Industrial-Quality Heat Press

Foraying into the printing game can be a bit overwhelming without any prior experience. The equipment involved here seems daunting and a bit intimidating that many tend to just want to get the machine shopping over with as fast as they can.

What many don’t know is that if you really want to make it big in this line of work, you need to get it right, right off the bat. And this means that the best heat press machine for small business is a must-have to really get your venture off the ground. You can’t take shortcuts and hope for the best in this area as you need to do well the moment you start offering your services.

For such a tough job, the Fancierstudio PowerPress is a solid option most people have turned to. This product has definitely made its mark being an excellent standard sized press with commercial-grade features. It’s a popular pick for both home and small business use, making it one of the best options you have if you intend to start a small printing business at home.

What really makes this product stand out is the fact that it’s fully equipped with features that you might not expect at its price range. It can reach up to 500F with ease, can offer professional-grade prints, and even has a replaceable fuse, ensuring easy maintenance. It’s also very easy to use with its digital controls and pressure adjustment.

Key Features:

• 15” x 15” platens
• Sublimation printing-capable
• Industrial-grade body and construction
• Digital controls
• Teflon coated heating plates
• 500F highest temperature
• Clamshell design
• Replaceable fuse
• Pressure adjustable

Pros:

• Very heavy duty
• Rubberized base makes it friendly to just about any surface
• Portable
• Can transfer ink, vinyl, and other materials effectively to your articles
• Won’t ruin fabrics
• Customizable settings from the timer to temperature levels
• Space-efficient
• Really easy to use
• Friendly price

Cons:

• No instructions included in the package
• Takes a while to heat up

Who Is It Best for?

With its affordable price and heavy duty construction, beginners will get a good use out of this product. It’s certainly a solid pick for home and small business use.

2. Gecko T-Shirt Sublimation GK101 Heat Press Machine

Another commonly recommended equipment for first-timers is the Gecko GK101 Heat Press Machine. Popularly known as the GK101, this unit is deemed as one of the best heat press machine for t-shirts. It can handle just about any kind of heat transfer with ease and efficiency. It’s also very sturdy and made of heavy-duty materials. This makes it a fantastic starter unit for those who are just about to try their hand at printing.

It also helps that Gecko is one of the best-known manufacturers of heat presses nowadays. The brand is well-loved for its quality construction and a wide range of pieces designed for various applications. The number of options, great performance, and the company’s dependability really add more to what the product has to offer, making it an even more attractive option.

The GK100 is one of its entry-level units but it doesn’t mean that you can’t use it to get a small business off the ground. Because of its relatively light weight, you won’t have a hard time carrying it around for trade fairs and on the spot printing at craft shows. It’s also made of heavy duty materials and craftsmanship you won’t have to worry about the parts falling apart after a few uses.

Key Features:

• 15” x 15” non-stick coated heat platen
• Manual clamshell design
• Reaches 435F
• Digital controls
• 1500 watts
• Rubberized, non-slip base

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Simple to operate
• Portable
• Comes with a heat-transfer sheet
• An operating manual is included with the unit

Cons:

Not really for vinyl transfers that require intense pressure

Who Is It Best for?

Like the first item in the list, this unit is also an excellent pick for first-time owners. It doesn’t have lots of bells and whistles but it can get the job done. It’s quite affordable so it can be a good choice for those who are still trying to get to know the trade.

3. Hotronix Auto-open Clam 16×20 Heat Press

A lot of people tend to look for cheap but good machine for their first units thinking that they can easily replace them once the jobs start coming in. While there’s nothing wrong with such a plan, especially since it can be a more practical method of starting a business, there’s also nothing wrong with investing in the best one right away. This is most particularly true if you’re serious about your printing plans anyway.

For such a purpose, the Hotronix Auto-open Clam 16×20 Heat Press is a fantastic option. It’s a good choice for first-time owners. But with its price and automatic features, it might appeal more to those who have been in the printing business for a while already. Its extras can really make your work a lot simpler and faster, making it a popular second or even third unit for many businesses.

The biggest selling point of this Hotronix product is possibly its auto-release feature. Its top platen opens right away as soon as the timer runs out so you won’t have to worry about paying close attention to the unit while it’s at work. It also lets you fret less about damaging articles, letting you do more with your time.

Key Features:

• Patented magnetic auto-open top platen
• Clamshell design
• Twin Timer
• Lifetime warranty on heating element
• Digital timer, pressure, and temperature display
• Auto-sleep
• Built-in pressure sensor
• Reaches up to 400F
• Teflon-coated top platen
• Removable lower platen

Pros:

• Available in three different sizes (11” x 15”, 16” x 16”, 16” x 20”)
• Made in the USA
• Very easy to use
• Very space-efficient
• Patented magnetic assist for the top platen makes locking down and lifting up easy on the joints
• Spacious opening makes it easy to adjust and put design in place
• Heating element comes with a lifetime warranty
• Can easily handle substrates of different thicknesses
• Wide temperature range
• Lower platen can be taken out in seconds
• Less clunky design
• Built to last
• Closes flat, ensuring top notch transfers

Cons:

Might be a bit too pricey for first-time owners

Who Is It Best for?

Best suited for shops looking into streamlining their services better, the Hotronix Auto-open Clam 16×20 can make operations more efficient and effective.

4. OrangeA Heat Press Machine

It’s easy to expect that many heat press machines are expensive. The more advanced and handy their features are, the pricier they can get. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t find the best affordable heat press easily. The OrangeA  is actually an excellent example of a friendly-priced unit that can do more than just the basics.

A lot of users love this unit not just because of its friendly price tag. It has so many great features that you won’t typically expect at this price point. One that comes as a surprise to many is its magnetic auto-release top platen. Units with this capability often come with 4-5 digit price tags, so it’s definitely a steal at what the OrangeA actually sells for.

Its capability to reach 750F is another astounding offering this product can make. Not a lot of entry-level units can get this hot, making it perfectly capable of transferring prints using a wider range of materials.

Lastly, it has a pull-out design that offers a lot more workspace for users. While it still has a classic clamshell opening design, the fact that you can pull the lower platen out tends to make this unit suitable for more kinds of printing jobs.

Key Features:

• Magnetic auto-open top platen
• 1400W
• Pull-out, clamshell type
• Digital controls and display for timer and temperature
• Timer alarm
• Reaches up to 750F
• Rubber base
• Steel frame

Pros:

• Great price
• Commercial-grade construction
• Heavy-duty body
• Stable and won’t budge
• No assembly needed
• Adjustable height makes it easier to work with
• Very space effective

Cons:

Power cord can be a bit short

Who Is It Best for?

Great for small business operators and heavy home users, you can count on the OrangeA Heat Press Machine to be a reliable workhorse in case you need to make bigger batches of prints.

5. Hotronix Fusion Swing-Away Heat Press

While heat presses for shirts and fabrics come a dime a dozen nowadays, taking your business to the next level becomes more challenging if you wish to print on thicker items without a hitch. Finding the best heat press machine for hoodies and other thicker materials can be a challenge, but it’s not entirely impossible to do. If you have a good budget, a perfect pick would be the Hotronix Fusion Swing-Away Heat Press.

Capable of printing on substrates up to ⅝” thick, this is exactly what you need to offer a wider selection of products for your business. Combined with its customizable settings for printing time, temperature, and pressure levels, you can be certain that it can do more than just handle regular t-shirts and thin substrates.

Another key selling point for the Hotronix Fusion is its printing style. Swing-away and draw type units aren’t the most space-saving options out there. But they’re somewhat safer than your old school clamshell types. As the lower platen won’t be right under a heated surface, you don’t need to worry about accidentally touching the platen as you ready your next item for printing.

Key Features:

• Swing-away / Draw type
• Touchscreen display
• Digital timer, temperature, and pressure display
• Interchangeable platens
• Multiple timer settings
• Setting memory
• Lifetime warranty on heating element
• Threadable lower platen

Pros:

• Capable of printing on garments with uneven surfaces because of its lower platen’s threadability
• Can be used with smaller-sized platens
• Two use styles give you options how to set up and lowers your risks of getting burnt from the hot top platen
• Perfectly simple to operate
• Customizable pressure makes sure that your prints will be transferred properly and effectively
• Can print on substrates up to ⅝” thick
• Made in the USA
• Threadable lower platen
• Considered by many as the best swing away heat press in the market today

Cons:

High cost can be prohibitive

Who Is It Best for?

Packed with top-notch features that are guaranteed to create professional-looking prints, the Hotronix Fusion can be the best pick for business owners who are looking to expand their product line. As this product is quite pricey, it’s definitely an investment piece.

6. Mophorn 8 in 1 Multifunction Heat Press

Affordability may be the last thing that you’ll expect in one of the best multifunction heat press machines in the market today, but it’s certainly one of the first things that you actually have to know about this product. At its very friendly price point, it can already let you print on several different kinds of articles, making it the most economical and practical starter unit in the market today.

With the Mophorn 8 in 1 Multifunction Heat Press, you can already do heat transfers on mugs, caps, tiles, and fabrics. You won’t have a hard time working with various items with this unit as it can get the job done with just a quick swap of the lower platen.

Key Features:

• Interchangeable lower platen
• Swing-away type
• Full 360-degree top platen swing
• Reaches up to 390F
• Rigid steel frame
• Adjustable height
• Digital controls

Pros:

• Comes with 8 various attachments, letting you print on different kinds of articles and substrates
• Very friendly price
• Safer use with its swinging top platen
• Lower platens are easy to swap out
• Simple to operate
• Extremely versatile

Cons:

No instructions in the box

Temperature display is on Celsius so it can be a bit confusing for some

Who Is It Best for?

With its extremely affordable price tag and a wide range of capabilities, it’s certainly a great pick for those who want to create more prints without breaking the bank. Beginners who want to try a wide range of printing applications will also appreciate this unit as it’s easy to use and is very economical.

7. F2C Pro 6 in 1 Combo Heat Press Machine

Another excellent option for a multifunctional type is the F2C Pro 6 in 1 Combo Heat Press Machine. Like the Mophorn 8 in 1, this item is an entry-level heat press that will let you do more with just a single printing machine. Both comes with a wide range of accessories that will allow you to do more than just t-shirt, bag, or hoodie printing, allowing you to offer more services to interested parties at a very low price.

What sets the F2C apart, however, is its simplicity. This model may be powerful enough for sublimation tasks but it’s also very straightforward. Without any bells and whistles, you can count on this equipment to help you get the job done with ease.

Being a swing-away type also makes it easier to work with. You can safely position your articles for printing without any worries of accidentally burning yourself. This allows you to work in peace and great comfort.

Key Features:

• 12” x 15” platens
• Swing-away type
• Reaches up to 430F
• Adjustable spring balancer
• Adjustable height and pressure
• Interchangeable lower platens
• Temperature and timer display

Pros:

• Great friendly price
• Fast heat up time
• Easy to use
• Offers a wide range of attachments so you can print on different items with great ease
• Evenly distributes pressure

Cons:

• Compact size may limit your printing capabilities in fabrics
• Instructions are hard to understand

Who Is It Best for?

The F2C Pro 6 in 1 Combo Heat Press Machine is also an excellent pick for those who want a practical starting kit for a new printing hobby or business.

8. Hix SwingMan 20E Heat Press

After spending years working with heat presses, you’re bound to get a good feel out of this machine that some may feel like they can be able to make it work even if they’re just given a pair of platens and a decent amount of pressure. This is exactly the case of the Hix SwingMan 20E Heat Press as this manual machine is as bare as it can be but can still deliver some of the best results there is.

The Hix SwingMan 20E is one of those products that prove that quality results are not reliant on the equipment, but on the operator instead. As it’s very basic, you’ll need to know your way around if you want to get the most out of this machine. It doesn’t even have a temperature gauge, so you have to know how to tell whether you’ve already reached the ideal heat level for your article so you can transfer prints effectively.

Key Features:

• 16” x 20” platens
• Swing-away type
• Pressure control
• Temperature control
• Manual operation

Pros:

• Made in the USA
• Built to last
• No bells and whistles that piles on costs
• Large surface area
• Can print on articles up to 1.5” thick

Cons:

• No temperature or timer display
• Involves a lot of guess work or requires additional purchases

Who Is It Best for?

Experts who just want a highly dependable, durable, and sturdy machine will find the Hix SwingMan 20E as the best addition to their printing collection.

9. Geo Knight Heat Press DK20S

Because Geo Knight has been in the business of producing press machinery and die cutting equipment since its establishment in the late 1800s, it’s natural that it has created its own loyal following in the industry today. This brand is actually one of the most trusted names when it comes to heat press machines as they’ve been around for so long that their quality and performance has been relied on by generations already. So you shouldn’t be surprised that its flagship model, the DK20S, is practically the most famous heat press there is today.

This heavy duty heat press machine is all that you’ll want in a commercial-grade unit and more. It’s solidly built with just the finest steel and metal. It’s well designed. From its swing away style to its threadable tables and digital display, you’re completely guaranteed that you won’t have to fuss over the operation of this item and that you’ll always get great results from its use.

What sets the DK20S apart from its competition? Its 70 programmable presets. If you’ve been using a heat press before, you might not even know that you’ll need as much settings for your machine, but once you already have it, your printing sessions will surely become a breeze.

Key Features:

• 16” x 20” platens
• Swing-away type
• All-Thread loading table
• Lifetime warranty on heating element
• Interchangeable tables
• Digital height and pressure gauge
• Digital timer and temperature control
• 70 programmable settings

Pros:

• Flagship model by one of the most popular brands in the industry
• Can print on articles up to 2” thick
• Accurate temperature readout
• Very sturdy
• Ease of use is guaranteed
• Solid steel construction
• Industrial grade unit
• Truly heavy duty
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Very heavy so it’s not portable and ideal for trade fairs
• Additional arrangement for shipping may be required for some people

Who Is It Best for?

The Geo Knight DK20S is not for the faint of heart. Aside from its price tag, it’s also heavy duty that it’s best suited for business operations. If you’re a serious home printer, this may offer too much power, but if you really want the best, this unit will be very hard to beat.

10. Promo Heat 12×10 Swing-away

Most machines intended for small applications and home use are often designed with clamshell type openings that require a lot of care if you don’t want to get hurt while using them. Mistakes can also be easily made due to the limited workspace. If you don’t want to endure all that, a better option would be the Promo Heat 12×10 Swing-away Heat Press.

Yes, you’ve read that right. This item is a very compact swing-away type heat press. This alone makes it worth looking into for home printers as there’s not a lot of small heat presses with a swing-away design. This makes it more efficient and capable of handling more jobs with ease, so even if you have limited space, the fact that you can access it fully without getting any burns is always a good offer.

Key Features:

• 12” x 10” platens
• Swing-away type
• Digital LCD
• Adjustable timer, temperature, and pressure
• Audible timer alarm
• Commercial-grade construction

Pros:

• Solid steel construction guarantees durability and sturdiness
• Compact size makes it ideal for printing outside your shop and small spaces
• Built to last
• Manual pressure adjustment ensures accuracy and precision
• Portable
• Great price
• Looks amazing

Cons:

Small size gives it limited functionalities

Who Is It Best for?

Due to its small size, it’s only best suited for small printing jobs and mostly personal use. It’s completely adjustable with digital controls, though. The Promo Heat 12×10 Swing-away also has commercial-grade, heavy duty construction so you’re guaranteed that it can last a while.

Heat Press Machine Buying Guide

When venturing into any kind of business, choosing the right machinery and tools to get the job done is essential. As these items will make your services simpler, more efficient, and more effective, it’s important to do it “right” from the start. This will ensure a good and effective return of investment, letting you make the most not just from the money you’ve shelled out, but also the time you’ve spent in the process so far.

This is particularly true if you’re thinking of entering the printing and graphic arts industry. Heat press machines aren’t exactly the easiest pieces of equipment to buy, so you have to do a good amount of research if you want to find a reliable unit or two. The right equipment can make or break the quality of your products and services so you have to make sure that you’re getting one that will help you make the best pieces for your customers and boost your business’ success.

But how do you choose the best heat press machine that will take your venture to the next level?

Stick to this guide and learn the basics when it comes to shopping for this kind of machinery.

What’s a Heat Press Machine?

Before we go shopping, some folks might be wondering what exactly a heat press machine is. Is it an industrial type iron? Is it a printing equipment? What exactly is it?

For the uninitiated, a heat press machine is basically a piece of equipment designed to imprint a design or graphic on a specific material, like fabric, paper, leather, or even ceramic. It achieves great results with the help of heat and a good dose of pressure.

The biggest benefit of these machines is the fact that they can speed up the printing process. They cut down your production time, letting you handle bulk orders in a shorter span of time. This makes them important investments if you want to operate on a bigger scale and cater to the needs of larger groups, parties, and organizations.

How to Choose a Heat Press

When shopping for a heat press, it’s very important to learn everything you need to know about these kinds of machines. The first thing that you have to know is that they come in different shapes, sizes, and capabilities. These are the very reasons why they’re such excellent business tools as they offer a wide range of services without batting an eyelash.

You first need to be able to tell them apart so you can learn which features you need for your starter set and how you can expand your services in the future. As there are lots of options, it might feel a bit overwhelming at first. With the right information, however, you won’t have to feel encumbered with all of the choices but you’ll actually be glad that you can easily expand after a while should you wish to.

To help make your search for the best heat press easier, however, let’s take it one step at a time. We’ll be highlighting important points so you can be sure that you won’t miss anything to make a very well-informed decision later on.

Choosing Your Machine’s Transfer Type

Let’s start your exploration of the different heat press machines through the various transfer methods these machines can do. Learning about these will help you decide what your core offering will be, letting you brand your business and marketing efforts accordingly. It will also help you target the right market accordingly, especially since different methods have varied results and  The different transfer types are the following:

1. Digitally Printed Heat Transfer Paper

Full-color print designs are the trickiest to transfer from one article to another. The best way to handle such orders is to print it on a digitally printed heat transfer paper then move it to its designated material afterward with a heat press. This lets you enjoy detailed and more sophisticated designs on shirts, mugs, bags, and other articles.

At the right temperature and pressure setting, the print out on your heat transfer paper will be transferred to your desired medium, guaranteeing your desired results. This is one of the most basic uses and purposes of a traditional heat press. A lot of simple job orders fall under this specification, so it can be a part of your initial set of tools for your printing business.

2. Heat Transfer Vinyl

Vinyl is another popular material transferred to various fabric articles for so many reasons. A lot of people like it because it makes logos and designs really pop. It has a solid appearance to it that can also come in different textures, adding definition to the design so it looks more polished and high-end than just your regular ink or heat transfer paper.

However, working with vinyl requires a different kind of heat transfer capability as the material has a different composition than other materials used to print on articles. This is why a special machine can be required, especially since cutting vinyl can be a tricky task that you wouldn’t want to mess up.

3. Rhinestone Transfer

Articles decked out in bling is another impressive service that you can offer to clients with the right machinery. Rhinestone transfer heat press machines can easily get the job done like no other, making them great additions to your fleet of workhorses in your shop. They can definitely add some sparkle to your list of services, both in the literal and figurative sense of the word.

4. Sublimation Prints

Sublimation printers are possibly the most in demand heat presses as of late because of its capability to reproduce photos on other articles with great precision and quality. Using what is called the sublimation ink, this kind of tool offer professional-looking and high-quality prints may it be on shirts, bags, mugs, coasters, mouse pads, or even jewelry. They’re guaranteed to be long lasting, guaranteeing to keep their intense colors and definition through the years, making them even more attractive pieces to have in one’s workshop.

However, due to its sophisticated performance, sublimation printers aren’t the cheapest options out there. As it can work with not just fabric, it tends to offer more services as well, letting you add more products to your list. So even if sublimation printers do cost a bit more, there’s a higher promise of ROI because of its versatility, making it a worthy investment if you do have the capital for it.

5. Embroidered Patches

Another method of embellishment that’s really hot right now is heat pressed embroidered patches. Adding these pieces add not just character and charm to articles, but they also significantly increase the value of a piece. Not only are they currently on trend, but they also take a lot less effort and expenses if you choose to heat press embroidered patches than actually sew them into articles. Sure, it’s not a permanent method of attaching such pieces to various garments, but as it’s faster and more cost-effective, it will be a perfect solution for fast fashion and small retailers.

6. Screen Printed Transfers

Screen printing is one of the most classic methods of printing stuff on articles. With the right techniques, you can also reproduce pictures on fabrics with this printing method. It offers a simpler and more rudimentary process although it can be more time-consuming. It’s still very impressive, however, as screen printing requires talent and skill to perfectly pull off, so it’s still one of the most popular and highly desired printing techniques in the market today.

In all honestly, as long as you have someone who knows how to screen print, you can keep a printing business alive. This technique is easily all you need to offer a shirt printing service and it’s so easy to learn. The hard part is in the design. Single color ones are perfectly easy, but the more detailed you want your reproductions to be, the higher the skill level will be required from you. In any case, screen printers are very cost effective, making them fantastic starter equipment.

Size Matters

Another important consideration when shopping for heat presses is the size of the actual machine you intend to buy. Experts say that it’s best to opt for the biggest size of printer that your budget can afford. This will let you offer larger sizes of shirts, handle multiple small articles in one go, and ensure proper alignment of print on large shirt sizes. It’s also a lot easier to downsize printing for smaller articles, but it can be too much of a hassle to try to print out of range if your machine is too small for the needed size.

While a minimum of 15” x 15” is often the recommended size for heat presses, you can also find other sizes suitable for more specific jobs. Some of your options can include:

1. Label Presses

Creating tags and labels require precision because of the small surface you have to work with. This is why label presses are easily available so you won’t have to struggle with equipment that’s just too big and too inefficient to get the specific task done. If label printing is one of the things you wish to offer, having this tool is important to get the task accomplished with great ease.

2. Small Format Heat Presses

If you want to get more use out of a small heat press, opting for a small format instead of a label press can be a more economical solution to your needs as well. As this kind of equipment is also small in size, you can easily use it for other small applications, not just label printing.

3. Standard Sized Heat Presses

15” x 15” is basically considered as the standard size for a heat press, but this can also count 16” x 16” varieties. They’re often fully equipped with the functionalities that will make operation simpler and faster, making them reliable options for many. These machines can also accomplish a wide range of tasks, but they might still be too small if you want to do more.

4. Large Format Heat Presses

Larger heat presses can easily measure 22” x 22” or 20” x 25”, depending on the type. These units already offer large working surfaces, making them excellent options for a full range of applications. Most businesses will definitely get more from these heat presses than smaller ones, making them more versatile options for those who intend to use their units heavily.

The only downside to large format units is that they’re too bulky to be moved around. If you wish to set up shop at fairs or other locations outside your workshop, these items can be too difficult to take with you. However, if you wish to be more flexible, having a standard size unit can be a great additional unit to have for your special operations.

Picking Out a Machine Design and Configuration

Next to size, the machine’s design and configuration are important factors to look into as well. These will determine the ease of use of the different machines, helping you decide which one you think will work best for your skills and techniques. These designs are classified into four categories which are the following:

Clamshell

Possibly the most popular platen design, a clamshell heat press refers to the units that come with a stationary bottom and a top platen that lifts straight up. It opens like a clam, thus the name. This might be the design most people are familiar with as its simple design makes it more affordable and easily available.

These are highly preferred by folks who have limited spaces in their workshops. As the top platen don’t really have to go elsewhere and will happily take up vertical space, it can really be the perfect option for small operations with limited floor space.

Due to its design, it’s more suitable for printing on flat articles like shirts and other garments. It’s also available in mechanical and manual varieties, giving you more options in how to easily operate such units.

Swing Away

For more complex substrates, swing away heat presses are better options. As its top platen lifts not just up but also moves to the sides, you can easily work on the lower platen without any fears of getting burned in the process. This design also allows it to guarantee that it’s capable of applying a more even pressure on different kinds of surfaces, so you can use it to print on just about any kind of article.

This makes swing-away heat presses excellent first units if you’re looking for a machine that can do everything in one package. It’s very efficient and cost effective, although it can take up a lot of space. If you’re cool with the trade-off, then it might just be the right pick for you.

Slide-out

This type of heat press is often deemed as a combination of the clamshell and swing away presses. Its top platen is practically a clamshell, but since you can pull out the lower platen so you can more comfortably work on its surface, it also offers a good dose of similar safety and comfort as you would expect in a swing away unit.

Multifunction

Thinking of running a full-range printing service? Then the multifunction heat press is something you should check out. While it can also be counted as a swing away variety because its top platen can be moved to the sides for more surface access, the fact that you can swap out its lower platen makes it very special. A quick switch will let you work with a completely different substrate, letting you do more with a single printing machine. It works with additional attachments so you can efficiently do other kinds of transfers, making such machines even handier for business owners.

Features to Look For in a Heat Press Machine

Now that you can pretty much tell heat presses apart, the next step that you should know are the very features you should be looking for. This list contains all the basics that every owner needs:

Timer

Because you will be exposing your articles to heat, you should be able to monitor it properly to avoid causing heat damage to the substrate. You can find units with either analog or digital timers, but most users favor digital timers more for their accuracy and precision.

Auto Open

It will also be nicer if your unit can automatically open once the timer is up. This way,  you can easily multitask and not have to waste your time waiting for the machine to complete its thing before you can do something else. This will help you cut down your production time as you don’t have to do one task at a time.

Temperature Gauge

A temperature gauge is also essential to help you set how much heat to apply on the substrates you wish to use. Different articles require varied heat settings, so it’s important that you can tell how hot your press is so you can avoid any mishaps along the way. Also available in digital and analog varieties, pick one that’s guaranteed to be accurate as you don’t want to damage substrates for using the wrong heat level.

Attachment Compatibility

To ensure versatility and more use out of your unit, you should also look for a unit that can work with a wide range of attachments. These things will make printing on different substrates a lot easier and will give you a wider range of products to offer.

Levels of Use

Another kind of classification of heat press machines that you should be well aware of is the levels of use they’re made for. Basically, there are four different kinds, each of which can determine the durability of the machine.

Home use units are at the top of the list as they’re required by hobbyists and home crafters. These units really come in handy if you like to DIY your own stuff. They’re very affordable but not intended for heavy use, so make sure not to overwork them if you want them to last a while.

There’s also a number of heat presses that are made for small businesses. These units are sturdier than home use ones and are often very portable. While you can use them for small batch production, they’re still not for mass production, so use them with great care.

Advanced small business units are already capable of handling mass production, although, specific care precautions are still required. They’re already more expensive, but as they’re work horses, you can already count on them to help you produce large amounts of prints regularly.

For big businesses that accept bulk orders on a regular basis, nothing but production and industrial heat presses will get the job done. These are the most reliable and sturdiest of the bunch, so if you think you’ll be printing non-stop, these will be your best choices.

Best Heat Press Machine Brands

Aside from all of the reminders above, experts also point out that a reputable brand name is also essential when choosing a heat press machine. This is because the brand can be an instant guarantee of quality and performance.

As these items can already be considered as heavy machinery, their manufacturers won’t risk their good name by producing cheap and unworthy products as their market are very specific and stringent. There’s no room for mistake with these products, so you should only trust big names like:

• Powerpress Heat Press
• Gecko Heat Press
• Hotronix Heat Press
• Geo Knight
• HIX

Heat Press Shopping FAQs

To cap off this guide on the best heat press machines in the market today, we’re also answering the most commonly asked questions about these kinds of equipment. Here are a few FAQs that might just help enlighten you further and assist you in your search for the right unit to get you started in the printing biz.

Q: Is it easy to operate a heat press?

A: Yes, it’s pretty easy to work with. However, it requires a high amount of care and precaution as you’ll be working closely with high temperatures.

Q: How much should I allot for my first heat press?

A: It depends on the kind of unit you’re after. Note, however, that these products aren’t cheap, so it can definitely range from $300 to thousands of dollars, depending on your budget and what kind of heat press you want.

Q: Is it a good idea to buy a used heat press for my first unit?

A: Buying a used heat press can be a very practical move to get your printing business off the ground. However, you have to be extra discerning when doing this as used machinery might already have existing issues that can affect your venture’s performance. If you can find a good brand new unit, however, it will still be the best option, especially if you’re a beginner. Handling repairs while you’re still not very familiar with the item can be a major hassle and not worth the effort, but if you shell out a bit more money, you can already be set for a few years before you even need to see a repair guy.