Shopping for a Heat Press

With so many makes and models of heat presses, selecting one is usually confusing.  To make the right purchasing decision for your business, you need to thoroughly investigate your options. Start by asking the right questions. Here’s what you should know before you sign on the dotted line.

The most important question revolves around your projections for business activity. How frequently will you use the heat press? If you anticipate a steady stream of business, you will need a higher end, very dependable heat press from a reliable manufacturer to satisfy your capacity requirements.

"I've worked with a variety of heat presses. The best clamshell unit on the market for my money is the George Knight press. Here's why I feel that way. It opens up wider than the other presses, so it's less likely that I will burn myself.  The zig-zag configuration of the heating coils provides more even heating of the top platen, so you don't have hot and cold spots. And the press gives you more open space underneath the bottom platen, so it's easier to fit a garment onto the press." JH  

If you intend to use the heat press frequently for long periods of time, you may need an automatic press rather than a manual one. One of the critical variables in heat pressing is pressure. On a manual press pressure is regulated by turning a knob. An automatic press features pneumatic cylinders which precisely control pressure in pounds per square inch.

Electrical Requirements. The higher end of the product range, heat presses are generally 220 volt. These units consumer less energy but cost more. Other heat presses are 110 volt and will plug into a standard wall socket. That could be important if you will be transporting a press from one industry event to another.

Platen Size.  For most t-shirt work a medium size press in the 16” x 16” is adequate.  It’s big enough to do most jobs, yet small enough to transport if you are going to fairs and industry events.

The best advice when selecting a heat press is to buy the biggest that you can afford, that satisfies your specific needs. If you are shopping for an in-shop unit that you won’t move once it is in place, a 16 x 20 heat press makes the most sense. The larger platen size will allow you to conveniently align and press larger tee shirts. 

Here’s the downside.  A press with a larger platen size will likely weigh more. It’s great to buy a model that is built like a tank. But when the heat press weighs as much as one, and you need to transport it from place to place, you may want to take weight and size into consideration. Some units can weigh more than 150 pounds. 

When you shop for a heat press, you may also want to inquire if the lower platen is removable and replaceable. Some swing-away units for example have removable platens, with very small platens for mugs and caps. With this feature, one press can perform the work of two.  If you are going to do different types of jobs, the result is lower equipment cost. The more expensive, more versatile press will likely cost less than two presses.

Equipment Controls. Different heat transfer films require different time, temperature and pressure settings.  With this in mind, it’s easy to screw a job up, especially on a busy day or when layering different types of films on a garment.  The more sophisticated heat presses have controllers, which can be programmed to remember the right settings for the material that you are using. Some of these intelligent controllers have as many as 70 programmable presets.

Equipment Weight. If you are going to be lugging a heat press from one industry event to another (as I will be), you better make sure that it is portable.  Ask the weight.  Some units can weigh as much as 150 pounds and more. Generally a clamshell unit weighs less than a swing-away press.

Equipment Style.  The two most popular heat press styles are the clamshell and the swing-away. On a clamshell unit the lower platen is stationary and the top platen moves up and down.  On a swing-away heat press, the top platen lifts straight up and then swings to the side.  While small swing-away presses are available, a common size in the 16” x 20” range.

Clamshell presses are popular for several reasons. Simple in design, these presses require less floor space, weigh less and are more affordable than other designs, such as the swing-away units. If you are just starting out in the t-shirt business, a clamshell press could be a good choice for you. In selecting the model for your shop, check to see how wide the clamshell opens.  Some open as wide as 90⁰, which is a good deal, because it puts more space between your knuckles and the hot top platen.

If a clamshell is such a great deal for sign shop owners, why would anyone consider a swing-away heat press?  If you a working with this style of equipment, your forearms are not exposed to the heat all day long. And you are less likely to burn yourself.  That’s a nice feature, but it will cost you more.  You have to decide if it is worth it.

An additional feature is that the swing-away design provides for uniform pressure from the front of the platen to the back. Because of the design of some clamshell presses, the pressures can be greater at the back of the unit than the front. This usually isn’t an issue when pressing t-shirts.  But uneven pressure could be problematic when pressing thicker garments, such as sweatshirts. (Note: on some clamshells the top platen floats to provide uniform pressure.)

If you need a portable heat press, a swing-away model is not a good choice. Even the lighter models can weigh as much as a hundred pounds. 

Manual or Pneumatic Pressure.  An automatic pneumatic press sounds great because the pressure settings are consistent and their performance is reliable.  Remember though that pneumatic means that the press needs air pressure.  That means that you will need a compressor. For most sign shops, you may want to stick with press that uses a manual pressure knob.

Budget.  While money is always a consideration, you should only buy a unit that best satisfies your production requirements.  So buy the best unit that you can afford.

Warranty. Don’t forget to ask the distributor sales person what the warranty is on the heating element, the frame and the electronic controls. Also be aware that warranties will vary from one manufacturer to another and from one model to the next.

Name Brands.  In my opinion, no matter what the cost, don’t waste your money on an unknown off-shore unit no brand name recognition, no history and usually no warranty. You have great selection on the market of a number of well-known brands, which have good reputations. If you are wondering, which brands are the best, ask around.  Talk to other knowledgeable shop owners, who have experience with heat presses.

Conclusion.  To select the right heat press for your shop  you need to do your homework. This  requires asking plenty of questions and carefully studying the manufacturers’ specification. Then compile all of the data in a spreadsheet, so you can compare the various heat press models and can make an informed buying decision.

Here’s a list of questions, that might help you in your conversations with your dealer:

·         What thickness of garment will the press accept?

·         Is the pressure adjustment manual or digital?

·         What are the power requirements for the press? 220 volt or 110 volt? How many amps does the press draw?

·         Does the press have a UL or CSA rating?

·         What is the platen size of the press?

·         Is the platen replaceable?

·         Does the press accept multiple size platens?

·         Does the press open automatically at the end of the heat cycle?

·         Is the temperature gauge digital or analog?

·         How much counter space does the heat press require?

·         What does the press weigh?

·         What does the warranty cover?

·         What does the press cost?

NOTE: Store SEF Heat Transfer Materials in a cool and dry place; protect against the influence of light when stored. We recommend not to exceed a storage period of 24 months.  Due to the variety of possible influences / exposure outside of our control, to include processing / use, all specifications should be viewed as reference values.  We recommend a suitability test to the material before a production.  Technical specifications rest on extensive tests and technical research, however, a legally binding warranty of specific characteristics and or performance cannot be provided.


FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT: SEF Americas provides a toll-free technical support service at 844-720-9601. NOTE:  If your call is not answered by a tech support person during normal business hours, 8am to 5pm EST (Eastern Standard Time), please leave a message and we will do our best to return your call within an hour.  Should you need to contact us after business hours, an alternate tech support number is 480-987-8028.  You can also get answers to your technical questions by emailing: techsupport@SEFamericas.com.

ABOUT SEF: For more than 35 years, SEF has provided the screen printing and garment industries with high quality flex films and flock films. Manufacturing at SEF is totally integrated. The factory formulates, casts and adhesive coats its own polyurethane (PU) films. SEF even manufactures its own flock fibers. With a corporate commitment to a greener environment, all of its film and adhesive formulations are water based. This ensures that no solvents pollute the atmosphere. Its only emission is water vapor. Today, SEF is recognized as a leading producer of heat transfer films for use in the fabrication of heat press appliqués for textile decoration. Its ultra-thin polyurethane films and super soft flock films are easy to plotter cut and digitally print.

For More Information About SEF Americas:

14476-201 Duval Place West

Jacksonville, FL 32218

904-423-0211 - Phone

904-423-0899 - Fax

844-720-9600 - Toll Free

Ordering: sales@SEFamericas.com

Web: NEW SEF Americas Website

Click Here: SEF Americas Shared Public Folder

Click Here: SEF Product Application Guide

Click Here: SEF FlexCut Product Color Guide

Click Here: SEF Print & Cut Product Guide

Click Here: For SEF Documents
Click Here: Access Printer Profiles

© 2015 Jim Hingst