Focus on Heat Presses Choosing the right press


Having the right heat press in situ can bring untold benefits to your garment decoration setup. But in order to choose the right one there are several considerations you need to take into account first.


Temperature and pressure Other things to consider when choosing the right heat press for your business are the temperature and pressure settings. It is recommended to look for a heat press that maintains a consistent temperature across the entire platen. Also, of equal importance is the ability to adjust pressure is crucial for different materials and projects. Some heat presses will come with digital controls, which allow for precise temperature and time settings.


Durability and build quality There are plenty of cheap, poor-quality models of heat presses available to purchase online, but what will purchasing one of these do for your business in the long-term.


Perhaps, the most important thing to F


actors to consider include; budget, volume of work, the size of designs being pressed, and the types of material you’ll be working with.


Here’s a more detailed breakdown of those factors…


Budget


If you’re new to the garment decoration game or are perhaps only undertaking small-scale projects, then a clamshell heat press could be a good option. For businesses on the larger side undertaking high-volume production, then a swing-away or draw-in heat press should be considered.


It is important to bear in mind not to sacrifi ce quality for a lower price point. A poorly built heat press will only cause problems further down the line as it may potentially not provide consistent results or withstand the test of time.


Heat press type


There are several options to consider here, considering what you’d like to use your heat press for.


A clamshell heat press is a basic affordable option, ideally suited for T shirt


| 48 | May 2025 printing and smaller projects.


Next up is a swing-away heat press. This option garment decorators more versatility with a larger platen area, and the ability to swing the top platen out of the way, making it easier to load and unload items. A draw-in heat press is similar to a swing-away, but the top platen slides into the machine, providing more space and ease of use.


Heat presses can also come in manual and automatic options. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Manual presses require you to manually adjust the pressure and time, while automatic presses have preset programs and timers.


Platen size


Just like the clothing you’ll be pressing, platens on heat presses come in various sizes and options. A larger platen will allow you to press larger items, but also takes up more space.


Heat presses that measure 15x15in or 16x16in are considered the most common sizes for T shirt printing. And fi nally, platens on some models of heat presses are interchangeable, meaning the operator can swap out different sized platens. This provides plenty of fl exibility.


look for in a heat press is one that is well-built and made with quality materials. This will ensure it lasts longer and provides consistent results.


Also worth noting during the decision-making process is whether the manufacturer offers a good warranty and is support is readily available should any issues arise.


Other features to consider And fi nally, last but not least, the following should also be factored in when you go shopping for a new addition to your setup. Safety is paramount, so look for features like automatic shut-off and a cool-down timer.


If you need to move your heat press around your print shop, then look for a lighter, compact model which allows you to do this.


And that’s a complete rundown of the elements you should look for when investing in a heat press. The right heat press can do wonders for effi ciency, time-saving and the quality of your prints.


Take a look at the selection of the latest heat presses to hit the market over the following page. There’ll surely be an option that will bring added benefi ts to your garment decoration operation.


www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk


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