When it comes to heat transfers the most important part of the process is the heat press. There are many types of transfer inks, transfer papers, and garments that can be pressed. Every one of those instruments require different time, temperature, and pressure to be printed optimally. An inferior heat press will struggle to consistently deliver the correct variable settings, leading to poor print quality, adhesion, and longevity. There may be areas of a product decoration business where you can cut costs, but spending money for a quality heat press is a must.
Naturally, there are several different types of heat presses. The first choice to consider when buying a press? Manual vs. Pneumatic. A manual press requires the printer to pull down the heating element onto the substrate and lock it to maintain pressure. Once the print time is up, the printer must pull the heating element back up to end the pressing process. A pneumatic press operates automatically, using a separate air compressor to raise and lower the press at designated times. Air compressors can be loud, heavy, and expensive. A pneumatic press is therefore far less labor intensive, but will cost more. The major benefit of a manual heat press is that you can use them to press almost anywhere, since all you need to run one is a power source. Speaking of power, presses do need quite a bit: most presses require between 15-20 amps. This is typically well within the range of most outlets, but it is possible to overload a breaker.
Once you have decided between manual and pneumatic presses, you have to choose the type of the heat press that best fits your needs. There are 3 main types of heat presses: clamshell, drawer, and swing. Clamshell presses get their name from their shape, as the top and bottom of the press are connected at a hinge, forming a v-shape like a clam. Clamshell presses will often deliver better pressure than the other two (this is only the case because it is a manual press). However, the printer must work directly under the heating element at the risk of burning themselves.
The remaining two presses have a similar construction at first blush. The heating element on the top lowers straight down onto the substrate. The difference is how you access the platen below. With a drawer press, the platen slides straight out from underneath the press. The printer does not have to load the platen underneath the heating element, but if the garment is threaded onto the platen it can get caught in the track below. This can create tears and holes in the garment. A swing press also does not require the printer to operate under the heating element either. The heating element will swing away from the platen below when not in use. Swing presses therefore will take up more space than a drawer press. Many presses actually come with the ability to be either a drawer or swing, with the printer able to choose what suits them best.
The final things to consider when purchasing a press are the manufacturer and price. The three best manufacturers all operate in the United States: Stahls Hotronix, Geo Knight, and Hix. These three manufacturers offer high quality heat presses which all have lifetime warranties on their heating elements, and typically also have multi-year warranties on their remaining parts. There are likely cheaper options than these three, especially from China, but it is extremely difficult to ensure that you will receive the same level of quality and support making the difference in price irrelevant. A high quality manual press will run between $1,000-$2,500, and a high quality pneumatic press will cost between $2,000 and $4,000.
With your newfound knowledge on heat presses, you should be confident in your ability to go out and find the best press for your needs. Just remember that any costs you pay now will be saved later by a high quality machine. The best manufacturers truly make the best products, and it should be your goal to buy from one of them. Once you have selected the best press that best suits your needs you are ready to join a fast-growing industry and start pressing.
