Choosing the right heat press for your projects, space, and budget is important, and we know choices can be overwhelming! Don’t worry – we’ll break down some of the biggest things to think about when shopping for a heat press.
Types of Heat Presses
The first thing to consider is the type of heat press you need. Four main form factors are clamshell, swing-away, handheld, and specialty presses.
Clamshell Heat Presses
A clamshell heat press is a type of heat press machine characterized by its design, which resembles — you guessed it — a clam shell when closed. In a clamshell heat press, the top platen (heated plate) and the bottom platen are hinged together at the back, allowing the top platen to swing upward and away from the bottom platen when opened. This design makes it easy to access the working area and load/unload substrates. Because of the way pressure is applied, clamshell presses aren’t recommended for thicker garments like sweatshirts or mouse pads. You also need to watch out for knuckle burns with a clamshell heat press.
This Hotronix Clam Heat Press has an easy-to-read digital time, temperature, and pressure display and a patented magnetic auto-open feature to prevent over-application. The WALAPress Drawer Clam has a lower platen that can be pulled out to have more room to work on your garment for placing or peeling transfers. The drawer can then be pushed back into position for pressing. Compared to a swing-away press, a clamshell design saves space and doesn't need extra clearance.
Swing-Away Heat Press
If you decide on a swing-away model, we recommend one with full digital temperature control and a timer. A popular option we carry is the Hotronix Fusion IQ. This heat press features a high-resolution touch screen that can be programmed with an unlimited number of frequently used settings, it is equipped with a Fusion IQ control board with wireless technology, a production cycle counter, and an excellent warranty.
Handheld Heat Press
When it comes to decorating apparel and other items, achieving professional, durable results requires the right tools. While handheld heat presses such as the Cricut EasyPress might seem like an attractive option due to their portability and affordability, they often need to catch up to traditional clamshell or swing-away heat presses. Here’s why a handheld heat press might not be the best choice:Inconsistent Pressure: Handheld heat presses often struggle to maintain even pressure across the entire surface, leading to uneven transfers. This inconsistency can result in patches of your design not adhering properly, which is especially problematic for intricate patterns or large areas.
Variable Temperature: Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial for effective heat transfers, whether you're using sublimation, vinyl, or other methods. Handheld devices can have trouble sustaining the necessary heat, resulting in poor color vibrancy and durability.
Limited Size: The smaller pressing area of handheld heat presses means that larger designs require multiple presses, increasing the risk of misalignment and errors. This not only adds to your workload but can also compromise the final appearance of your project.
Time-Consuming: Due to their size and inconsistent performance, using a handheld heat press can be more time-consuming, especially for larger or multiple items. Traditional heat presses, with their larger pressing areas and more reliable performance, can complete jobs more efficiently and with better results.
Professional Quality: The professional quality offered by larger heat presses is unmatched for business owners or serious crafters. They provide the consistency and reliability needed to produce high-quality, long-lasting products that meet customer expectations.
Specialty Heat Press
If you’re working with shirts and other garments, one of the aforementioned traditional heat presses will work perfectly for you. However, if you’re working with specialty products that don't have flat surfaces, you might want to consider a different kind of press.
For example, If you're focusing on pressing hats, there are special cap presses just for that purpose. The WALA Auto Open Cap Heat Press is a good choice for beginners. It has features like over-the-center pressure for even pressing, a detachable bottom pad for easy cleaning, and a touch-screen LCD panel. However, it's not ideal for structured hats like the popular Richardson 112 model. For those, the Hotronix 360 IQ Hat Heat Press is recommended. This cap press is unique because it has a molded platen to prevent creasing and scorching, and individually controlled upper and lower heated platens.
Hotronix 360 IQ Hat Heat Press
Another group of specialty heat presses to consider are the
WALAPress Mug and Tumbler Heat Presses, which are perfect for creating personalized mugs or tumblers for your personal life or business. These presses ensure even heat and pressure distribution, reducing issues like ghosting during sublimation. With consistent, high-quality results, they're essential for efficiently producing custom-printed drinkware for personal or business use.
WALAPress 7 in 1 Tumbler Press
Heat Press Sizes
Heat presses come in different sizes, ranging from small, portable craft models suitable for hobbyists and small businesses to large industrial-sized presses for high-volume production.
Smaller Craft Heat Presses, such as the 9”x12” Clamshell Presses and Handheld Presses are budget-friendly options if you do not want a press to take up a lot of space or if you are doing small projects. These are presses to use when you do not want the versatility of having a larger plate and pressing area. We recommend measuring out these plate sizes and thinking about the designs you want to make now and in the future. You can find some of these on our Craft Heat Presses page.
WALAPress 9x12 Craft Press
Mid-Large sized Heat Presses typically include 15x15 heat presses through 16x20 heat presses. These provide much more versatility for your projects with a bigger plate, even if you don’t need them for your immediate project. You typically have more options in this range, including clamshell and swing-away and other options like auto-open timers. The 16”x20” is a decent step up in size and overall footprint, and we generally recommend these more for users who know they want the extra work-area space or for white toner printers as they make it easier to transfer A-B Sheets.
We typically recommend this range for small businesses or users who just know they want the features or a larger work area. These can be more suited towards garment businesses and people doing a lot of volume, than for people just getting started.
WALA 15x15 Manual Press
Wide Format Heat pressesare large, commercial heat presses, usually for businesses. Generally, they are much larger and more expensive, and more suited for things like banners and flags.
Temperature, Pressure, and Auto-Open Timers
When selecting a heat press, several features can make a significant difference in the quality and ease of your projects. Let's explore why features such as digital temperature readouts, adjustable pressure knobs, threadability, slide-out drawers, and auto-open functions are essential.
Digital Temperature Readouts
A digital temperature readout is crucial for ensuring precise and consistent heat application. Accurate temperature control prevents under or over-heating, which can lead to poor adhesion, faded colors, or even damaged materials. With a digital readout, you can monitor the exact temperature and make necessary adjustments, ensuring your designs are pressed perfectly every time.
Adjustable Pressure Knobs
Different materials and designs require varying pressure levels. An adjustable pressure knob allows you to fine-tune the pressure applied during pressing, ensuring that the transfer adheres properly without causing damage. This flexibility is especially important when working with a variety of substrates, from delicate fabrics to thicker items like hoodies or jackets.
Threadability
Threadability refers to the ability to easily position and maneuver garments around the heat press platen. This feature is particularly useful for pressing designs onto awkward or hard-to-reach areas of garments, such as sleeves or pant legs. A heat press with good threadability improves efficiency and accuracy, making it easier to achieve professional results on all parts of the garment.
Slide-Out Drawers
A slide-out drawer allows you to position your garment away from the heated platen, reducing the risk of burns and making it easier to arrange your designs accurately. This feature also provides better visibility and access to your workspace, allowing for more precise placement of transfers and ensuring that your designs are centered and aligned correctly.
Auto-Open Features
An auto-open feature automatically lifts the press when the timer ends, preventing over-pressing and potential damage to your materials. This feature is not only a time-saver but also a safeguard against forgetting to lift the press, which can happen during busy production runs. Auto-open presses help maintain the integrity of your designs and extend the life of your materials.
WALAPress 16x20 Auto-Open Heat Press w/ Drawer V3
- Digital time and temperature readout
- Auto-open quick release
- Slide out drawer
- C shaped Metal bottom support can be reversed to be able to thread shirts from front or back
- Adjustable pressure knob
Other Features, Materials, and Durability
Quality Heating Elements
A high-quality heating element is crucial for achieving consistent and professional heat transfers. The extensive coiling of wires within our heating elements helps to:
- Avoid cool spots
- Increase reheating speed
- Enhance heat retention as the press cools during use
- Provide more consistent temperature regulation
- Ensure reliable operation
Invest in heat presses that feature premium heating elements to ensure consistent and even temperatures across the heating surface. This consistency is vital for successful transfers, preventing issues that can arise from uneven heating, such as cool spots. Low-quality, cheaper heating elements often result in uneven heat distribution, leading to subpar transfer results.
Build Material and Durability
The construction material of a heat press significantly impacts its durability and performance. While most heat presses are made from steel or aluminum, presses with plastic bodies may not withstand rigorous use. We recommend choosing presses with hydraulic systems instead of springs to control the opening and lowering of the top plate. Springs can wear out and fail over time, whereas hydraulics offer more durability and reliability.
All WALAPresses feature steel bodies and slow-opening hydraulics, ensuring long-lasting performance and reducing wear points. Most other presses available on our website also adhere to these high standards of construction.
Interchangeable Platens
Interchangeable platens on heat presses provide remarkable versatility and efficiency, allowing users to switch between different sizes and shapes to accommodate various items such as hats, sleeves, and bags. This feature ensures precise placement and high-quality transfers, reducing errors and rework. By using the appropriate platen for each project, you achieve consistent pressure and heat distribution, enhancing the durability of both the press and the platens. Overall, interchangeable platens maximize your investment by expanding your press's capabilities without the need for multiple machines, making them a cost-effective and adaptable solution for diverse heat transfer projects.
Choosing the right heat press machine involves understanding your needs, the types of projects you'll be working on, and the features that matter most for your workflow. By considering factors like size, types of heat presses, durability, and additional features, you can find a heat press that fits your budget and helps you achieve professional-quality results every time. Invest in a heat press that aligns with your goals, and watch your heat transfer projects reach new heights!