THE DYE SUB COLUMN Pressing matters
Dye sub expert, Justin Mann, guides you through the options when it comes to choosing a heat press...
T
hey are often two routes to buying a heat press. Cheaper (often Chinese) made presses or the more expensive, well known brand presses. While cheaper presses may well do
the job they tend not to last as long and results may be inconsistent due to the way the heating elements are fitted. A more expensive press will often be built to a far greater standard using better elements which give a consistent temperature across the platen. While initially, the benefits may not seem apparent, spending some time working with both a cheap press and something more solid will quickly demonstrate this. A useful tool is an infra red thermometer that can be purchased cheaply. This enables you to quickly check the temperature across the heated platen to ensure overall consistency. Of course, budget may be the determining factor so you might need to start off with a cheaper press and upgrade as and when finances allow. The second hand market for presses is excellent so selling on your press won't be a problem. Once you buy a more expensive press it is likely to last you for many years.
Clam press Typically found on cheaper presses, the traditional and popular clam design is still useful. These presses use up the least amount of space as the head only lifts upwards and does not swing out. One of the problems with a clam press is getting a good pressure across the full area due to the back of the press touching sooner than the front. Some presses now minimise this issue by utilising a 'floating' head which allows for much better pressure control.
Swing press Swing presses are particularly useful when you need to be able to see over the top of the item being pressed – a T shirt for example – and it's far easier to align transfers etc, than on a clam style press. Once lowered, the press heated platen spreads the pressure evenly over the surface of the item being printed giving a more consistent result. The downside to a swing press is the space required. While closed, the press takes up the same amount of space as a clam press but as the upper platen swings wide the space required can double. The swing often extends beyond 90 degrees so you also need a bit of clearance behind and cannot position the press right up to a wall.
Draw press In more recent years, draw presses have become available. You get the benefit of a swing press using the space required for a clam press. The lower base slides directly outwards toward the operator, thus enabling a clear view of the base and once the blank has been positioned, the base simply slides back in.
Pneumatic press These presses feature an automatic press and release and are therefore best suited to high production environments. They need to be connected to a small compressor to achieve this. This enables use over a long period with reduced operator fatigue. Costs are considerably higher than a standard press.
SOMETHING NEW: At this year’s Printwear & Promotion LIVE, GK Marketing launched their new Columbia Transfer machine. This automatic heat press comes with two independent transfer heads and it is claimed that they produce up to 30 per cent more compared to standard pneumatic presses.
Automatic release press In a similar way to pneumatic, these presses will auto release (not auto press) but tend to use magnetics to release the head once the time is completed. This is useful again to reduce operator fatigue but needs to be used carefully as issues can arise when printing some sublimation items where the transfer lifts, causing a ghosting effect on the blank.
Combination/multi-use presses Combination presses can offer the best of both worlds. They may have a combination of clam and swing and sometimes draw as well, offering greater versatility but often at an increased cost. Multi-use presses allow different attachments to be swapped
so that mugs, plates, caps etc, can all be printed with the same machine. While these machines may be attractive to a new business you may find it better in the long run to have separate machines to carry out these jobs.
nWe welcome all new members regardless of their level of experience at the DSF so please visit us at
www.dyesubforum.co.uk
About the author J | 46 | May 2013
ustin Manns interest in printing started over 20 years ago when he worked in screen printing. He is
also experienced in large format and has spent several years running his own sublimation print business. He became increasingly involved in sublimation and heat transfer and founded the Dye Sublimation Forum three years ago. The growing community now has 2000 members. You can find Justin at the forum at
www.dyesubforum.co.uk
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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