Heat press machines have gained popularity since people realized it doesn't have to be a desk job so long as you are great at creating catchy images and fonts for your colleagues, and therefore, you can turn it into a small business.
The best heat press machine will combine heat and pressure to apply designs or transfers to various printed media. You can print trending images, memes, and even the footballer jersey numbers using a simple shirt heat press machine and bag some profits from your home. However, there are many heat transfer machines in the market, and we have researched and simplified the job for you.
What Is A Heat Press Machine?
The best heat press machine is a lot like an iron box. It allows you to imprint vinyl designs, lettering and rhinestones onto a T-shirt, hat, tote bag, and other items through heat transfer. There are three categories of heat press machines:
1. Clamshell
Clamshell heat press machines open and close like a shell, and they are hinged on one side. They make the best heat press for small business because they are easy to use and great for beginners. What's more, they take up less space and quite portable. On the downside, you could burn yourself if you aren't careful since you are working underneath the heating element as you layout the garment. The pressure against the garment could also be uneven.
2. Swing-Away
The swing-away heat press machine gets its name from the fact that it can swing to and from the lower plate. You lay down the fabric on the lower plate, and then the heated top rotates back into place and makes the imprint. It's an excellent machine for experienced users, and it puts even pressure on the garment. However, swing-away machines are enormous, so you need more counter space, and they are not portable.
3. Draw
If you want the best heat press for small business, draw heat press machines are unrivaled. The lower platen of the machine pulls out so you can lay out the garment and then pulls back in. This machine gives the highest precision level, and there is no risk of injury. The downside is that they are more complicated to use and more expensive.
Below we have listed some of the best heat press machines in the industry, and we have included a detailed buying guide to help you make an informed decision.
Best Heat Press Machine
1. FancierStudio Heat Press
- Voltage: 110 volt Power: 1400 watts, Heat Press Style Clampshell
- Temperature Range: 0-500
- Electronic time and heat control
- Silicon pad lightly glued down for easy replacement
- Pressure adjustable
Fancierstudio press is among the best sellers for people looking for a 15 x 15 easy-to-use shirt press machine. This digital t-shirt heat press operates like a clamshell-type machine, and it is lightweight and very compact. The T-shirt printing machine packs 1800-watt heating elements that can heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and even distribute heat.
This sublimation heat press also has a silicone gel baseboard that makes it the heat press best for generating desired pressures for transfers while tweaking the pressure needed for different materials thanks to the adjustable pressure system. This is an excellent heat press for small businesses as well as beginners to make vinyl and t-shirts. It is a high-quality t-shirt printing model and is also quite versatile as it can transfer an image on ceramic tiles, garments, puzzles, and bags.
Pros:
Cons:
2. PowerPress Industrial Quality HPM
- Teflon coated Heating Plate: 15x15 inch. Voltage: 110V. Power:...
- Removable Silicon Mat: The silicon mat is not glued on the bottom...
- Bottom handle: When the heating plate is closed with high...
- Patented Design Control Chip: Makes the machine more powerful,...
- Replaceable Fuse: Protect machine from overheating and electric...
Powerpress heat press machine is a digital press that is a clamshell-type of a machine and features an LCD screen where you digitally set your timing and temperature. The heat plates use a Teflon coating, and this coating works well for vinyl materials. The 15 x 15-inch press can help individuals who want to work with t-shirts, canvas bags, puzzles, and sweatshirts.
The Powerpress heating press is powered by a 1400W and packs a unique feature: the individual safety control chip and has a temperature range of up to 450 F and timer settings of up to 999 secs. However, you should always ensure your electronic circuit is compatible with the machine. It also comes with an alternating fuse in the box that offers protection against any fire hazard. However, this machine is a manual machine that can be laborious, but the cost the product comes at makes it worthy of overlooking if it's not a major deal-breaker.
Pros:
Cons:
3. CuisinSmart Heat Press Machine
- 16X24 Heating Press: The heating plate measures 16×24 inches,...
- Premium Teflon Insulation Coated Heat Press: Featuring a...
- Thickened Aluminum Heating Plate: Our 16x24 heat press machine is...
- Professional Heating System: The heat press is built with the...
- Easy to operate: Designed with user experience in mind, this heat...
The CuisinSmart Heat Press has generated notable enhancements in quality outcomes and operational speed since we adopted it. The wide heating plate of 16" by 24" allows this device to handle various size items while supporting multiple small designs simultaneously. The application of Teflon coating on its surface allows for flawless and clean transfer work each time.
The dual-tube heating technology enables fast operation of this machine for improved productivity during peak hours. Even heat distribution throughout the heating plate eliminates hot and cold spots that lead to a consistently professional finish.
In terms of usability, the intuitive dashboard is a major plus, making it easy to adjust temperature and pressure. The built-in alarm signals when heating is in progress, adding to the convenience. While the machine is well-built and compact, its weight makes it challenging to move, so selecting a permanent workspace is essential.
Overall, the CuisinSmart Heat Press delivers outstanding performance combined with user-friendly features, making it a valuable investment for a wide range of projects.
Pros:
Cons:
4. MOVECOM Heat Press Machine
- 16X24 Heating Press: The heating plate measures 16×24 inches,...
- Premium Teflon Insulation Coated Heat Press: Featuring a...
- Thickened Aluminum Heating Plate: Our 16x24 heat press machine is...
- Professional Heating System: The heat press is built with the...
- Easy to operate: Designed with user experience in mind, this heat...
We recently tested the MOVECOM Heat Press Machine and found it to be highly work-oriented. Its large size makes handling big projects effortless, eliminating the need to reposition items frequently. The spacious heating plate easily accommodates multiple shirts or large garments in one go.
One feature we particularly appreciated was the Teflon-coated plate, which prevents sticking and ensures smooth, flawless transfers every time. Additionally, the coating helps maintain a cooler surface, making extended use more comfortable. The machine's solid, heavy-duty construction gives it a professional and reliable feel.
However, its weight makes it less convenient to move around, so if you frequently relocate your setup, extra help may be needed. While the control panel is user-friendly, beginners may need some time to get fully accustomed to it. Overall, the MOVECOM Heat Press is an excellent choice for both home and professional use, offering efficiency and quality in every press.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Cricut Easy Press 2
- A NO-STRESS HEAT PRESS — Get pro-level heat-transfer results...
- ADJUSTABLE TIME AND TEMPERATURE— Control temperature up to 400...
- QUICK, EASY RESULTS — Featuring an advanced heat plate design...
- LIGHTWEIGHT & EASY TO STORE — Cricut EasyPress 2 is equipped...
- SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS — Cricut products conform with applicable...
Cricut Easy Press is a respected brand model and is a perfect machine for enthusiasts, whether kids or adults. The Easy Press is ideal for crafters that love to make HTV crafts but are not looking to spend a lot of money. It features a digital temperature display and a digital timer that shuts itself off after 10 minutes off and can prevent any losses.
The Cricut Easy heat transfer press has a safety base and can be easily set up, and use is relatively easy for both adults and kids. However, it is not the best for commercial use and home usage, and crafting events. Additionally, it is a manual machine, so you have to apply pressure manually, and it can be hectic for a business.
Pros:
Cons:
What To Consider Before Buying The Best Heat Press Machines
1. Heat Distribution
Your heat press machine should have the ability to provide even and consistent temperatures across the platen. The shape of the heating element inside the upper platen of the press is the solution to distribute heat evenly. Therefore, make sure the heating element's coil is closed with an over-the-center pressure adjustment and a go-edge-to-edge of the platen because if there's no heating element, there can be no heat.
Also, a sound machine has the heating element close together, unlike the cheap heat presses with wide gaps in the element to cut their costs. The wide shape has adverse effects because it creates a cold spot, and the custom transfer doesn't apply in the right way with cold spots. Check the heat distribution by turning the heat press on and moving your hand across the heat plate.
2. Pressure
The pressure is an essential consideration because, for the best results, you need to apply the right amount of pressure. If you choose a manual heat press, ensure the pressure and force knobs can be easily adjusted because good pressure knobs make your job easier and make a real difference daily.
The right amount of pressure is essential because if you apply too much pressure daily, it gets hard and may negatively affect your body. On the other hand, applying little pressure on your heat press may result in the image not getting transferred to your clothes the way you want.
3. Quality
Quality is often misconstrued to mean heavy, and that is not entirely true even though most high-quality heat presses are over 100 lbs as the heat presses use heavy, high-quality platens. There is more to heat press quality than weight, but check reviews online before you make a purchase. Also, to guarantee durability, try to purchase heat press machines that are under warranty.
4. Size And Shape
The size of the heat press machine and how many you might need are determined by the type of work you do, precisely, the garments you intend to print on, and the space at your disposal. All the different sizes cater to different users, so make sure you choose the appropriate size according to your needs. It is better to use a clamshell design with limited space because it does not require a lot of space.
The shape of your heat press machine is also vital, as different shapes work for different objects. For Example, a flat surface is best for a tee-shirt press, but a 5 in 1 or 8 in 1 press is better for other objects.
5. Timer
A timer helps you set the exact heating time depending on the type of material you are using. The timer is especially essential for a business because you wouldn't like to accidentally burn the customers' shirts. If you are unsure of how much time to allocate every garment, purchase an automatic heat press machine that can estimate the time for you.
6. Temperature Range
The temperature range is among the first things to check in a heat press machine and majorly because the temperature of the heat press affects the type of material you can use. For t-shirts, they require a maximum of 350 degrees Fahrenheit, but for thick materials such as sweatshirts and hoodies, they may need a higher range.
7. Type
There are three types of heat press machines, and they include Clamshell, draw and Swing Away
8. Ease Of Use
How easy the heat press machines are to use depends on who will be using them. For amateurs, you need to buy a heat press machine that is easy to use for beginners, but most machines won't be challenging to use or figure out for professional small business owners. Using an automatic heat press is easier because they need less know-how about the different materials, heat transfer types, and printing times.
However, always make sure you read the user manual of your heat press machine, and you can also add some knowledge by watching all the available tutorials online.
9. Budget
The price point of any machine is sometimes the compass to what product to get, which is not different. If you are purchasing a press for home use, you can get one that has the most critical features to your needs and doesn't necessarily have to expensive. However, for business heat press machines, find a high-end press with advanced features at your budget level.
Notably, the higher the price, the better and more advanced the press machines are, but you can start with one within your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Is The Best Heat Press Machine For A Beginner?
According to our review, the best press for a beginner is the FancierStudio Heat Press for its easy use and other reasons stated above.
2. Which Best-Seller Is Suitable For An Advanced Business?
HPN Signature Series is the best for a business that needs to use a heat press often for consistent customers.
3. What’s The Difference Between Heat Transfer And Sublimation?
In the context of heat pressing, the heat transfer process is when you print a design onto a heat transfer paper and then use a hot press to heat it onto a garment as an extra layer on top. This means the imprint can come off if you wanted.
On the other hand, sublimation is when you print a design on a special sublimation paper and heat press it onto the garment. The difference is that your design becomes part of the fabric and it can't come out no matter what.
4. What Is The Best Size For Heat Press Machine?
Heat press size depends on the buying intent. If you are a starter doing mugs, t-shirts, caps, and other small items, a 9 by 12 inches machine will suffice. For commercial heat printing where you are branding bigger items, you can go bigger with a 16 by 20 inches if you have space for it.
