Last Updated on June 12, 2020 by MakeThingsReal
The modern technique of customizing and printing your artwork on your products is referred to as heat transfer printing which is achieved through the use of a heat press machine. A heat press machine is engineered to imprint a design or graphic on a substrate, such as a t-shirt, with the application of heat and pressure for a preset period of time. While heat presses are often used to apply designs to fabrics, specially designed presses can also be used to imprint designs on mugs, plates, plates, bags, caps, and other products.
For some of us who are rookies and ain’t privy to adequate information on what to look out for in getting the best heat press machine on the market, this piece would come in handy.
Intrinsically, Heat presses are broken down into two primary design styles:
- Flatbed Heat Press
- Rotary Heat Press
Heat presses are also available in manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic using compressed air or hydraulic system. The flatbed heat press machine is predominantly used compared to the rotary heat press. The two most popular of these types are the clamshell and the swing away.
The Clamshell press This type of press is perfect for beginners as it is super easy to use. It is also a great choice if you wish to only work with thinner garments such as T-shirts and perfect for those who have limited space available as well as those who wish to have a more portable heat machine.
The Swing Away Heat Press allows the upper platen to be swung away either clockwise or counterclockwise from the lower platen. This machine also allows you to apply even pressure, as well as greater precision due to the fact that you can get a complete overview of the whole layout area with the top platen out of the way.
There are various pertinent factors to consider when getting a suitable heat press machine. Different types of heat press machines serve different purposes. I would mention four major relevant areas.
- Make sure the company you want to purchase from is reliable and has a track record of helping customers resolve issues that arise with the machine in case it becomes vestigial.
- Make sure that the heat platen distributes heat evenly
- Do ensure you get a heat press with a digital timer else you run the risk of causing damage to your product.
- Make sure the adjustable pressure knob can help you control how much force you apply to the garment.