Have you used a heat press machine? While many crafters initially turn to irons for design transfer, the benefits of using a heat press machine are truly remarkable.
What is a heat press machine used for?
A heat press is a versatile machine primarily used to apply graphics, designs, or text onto fabrics and other materials. Among crafters and hobbyists, it's commonly used for the following purposes:
- Customising clothing: Heat presses are widely used to apply designs, logos, and graphics to clothing items such as t-shirts, hoodies, caps, and jerseys. Heat transfer vinyl, sublimation ink, or heat transfer paper is used to create these designs.
- Sublimation Printing: Heat presses are essential for sublimation printing, a process where designs are transferred onto polyester-based materials such as polyester shirts, mugs, and phone cases using heat-activated inks. The heat press helps in turning the ink into a gas, which then bonds with the material, resulting in vibrant, durable prints.
- Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) Projects: Crafters and hobbyists use heat presses to adhere HTV to fabrics, creating custom designs on clothing, bags, and other textile items. Take a look at our vinyl crafts article to see the process in action.
- Customising accessories: Heat presses can also be used to personalise accessories like mousepads, keychains, and ceramic tiles with images, text, or artwork.
What to consider when buying a heat press machine
There are several key factors to consider to ensure you get the right machine for your needs. Here are some important considerations:
- Intended Use: First think about your primary use, whether it's for personal crafting, a small business, or a commercial operation. Different needs may require different types of heat presses. The two main types are clamshell heat presses, which are compact, easy to use and ideal for small spaces, or swing-away heat presses, which offer a larger workspace and better access to the lower platen.
- Size and Workspace: Consider the size of your projects and available workspace when choosing the heat press size.
- Heat Platen Size: The platen size should match the size of your typical projects. Larger platens are better for bigger designs.
- User-Friendliness: Consider the ease of use, including the setup process, digital controls, and overall user interface.
- Heat and Pressure Control: Look for a machine with precise temperature and pressure controls. Digital displays and pressure adjustment knobs are essential features.
- Timer Function: A timer with an audible alarm is useful for accurate heat application and preventing overexposure.
- Temperature Range: Check if the machine can reach the required temperature for your chosen transfer method (e.g., sublimation, vinyl, or screen printing).
- Pressure Adjustment: An adjustable pressure knob or lever is crucial for applying the right amount of pressure to different materials.
- Safety Features: Look for features like an auto-off function, emergency stop button, and heat-resistant handles to ensure safe operation.
- Additional Accessories: Some heat press packages come with convenient extras like Teflon sheets, heat-resistant gloves, and t-shirt alignment tools.
- Durability and Build Quality: Invest in a sturdy, well-built machine made from high-quality materials. This ensures longevity and consistent performance.
- Warranty and Support: Check the warranty offered by the manufacturer and whether they provide good customer support and replacement parts.
The best heat press machines for your crafting projects
Take a look at our pick of the best heat press machines uk and see which one is the right choice for you
HTVRONT 10x10 Heat Press Machine
This heat press is ideal for tackling both large and layered projects, including t-shirts, cushions, bags, and more, as well as doubling as an iron.
This heat press heats up rapidly and ensures even distribution of heat. Featuring an adjustable timer and temperature settings, it reaches a maximum temperature of 410°F/210°C.
For safety and convenience, it handles on both the top and sides, helping to keep hands away from the hot plate. In addition to this, it’s designed with an automatic shut-off feature so if it goes unused for 10 minutes, it will turn off.
Measurements: 10" x 10”
Pros: Adjustable timer and temperature settings, pressure sensor, lightweight, comes with carry bag, inexpensive
Cons: Applying necessary pressure can be tiring if using for long periods of time
Cricut Easy Press2 Heat Press Machine, Large
When your project size goes up, inconsistencies in your heat transfer process goes up too. So where an iron may do for smaller projects, you can’t apply an even contest pressure on larger designs.
That is why we think that if you are going to get a Cricut EasyPress, you should invest in a large one. The large model has a transfer area of 30 x 25cms, which covers you for T-shirts all the way up to XXL, banners and other jumbo makes.
These machines are well designed with little details to help the home crafters step their makes up a gear. The insulated base plate protects your surface, and auto shut off stops accidents.
It’s also big enough for quick and easy shirt pressing!
Measurements: 12" x 10"
Pros: Compatible with Infusible Ink products and major brands of ironing materials, comes in smaller size (9"x9")
Cons: Expensive, requires Easy Press mat at an additional cost of £25-£30
Cricut Autopress Heat Press Machine
- Buy now in the US from Amazon
If money was no object, the Cricut Autopress would be the heat press machine we’d choose. Like a big sandwich toaster, it has a large heat area of 38 x 30cms, which is big enough for every heat press project.
The big benefit for crafters who have any dexterity issues is that there is no need to apply pressure - just close the lid and the Autopress does all the work for you.
A combination of a clamshell and swing-away press, it adjusts the gap between the heat plates automatically to accommodate different project thicknesses, and auto releases when done for the ultimate safety and ease.
The heat press machine’s UK price tag is £899 which is more than I paid for my car. But if you can afford better wheels, you can have the Rolls Royce of heat press machines with this model, too.
Measurements: 15" x 12"
Pros: No additional pressure required whatever thickness of fabric, auto-open feature
Cons: Expensive, more suited to keen crafters or professionals
Siser Heat Press Machine
Unlike most clam shell machines which look far too industrial for our taste, the Siser heat press machine looks quite nice. It is set up for business use with features designed to assist in mass production. The price point makes it an alternative to a manual machine to consider.
The pressure comes from gas assisted struts (as in your car boot opening) which help apply pressure with minimal force from the operator. The plate area is 22 x 30cm, which gives you good options for large shirts and banners.
Temperature and time are easily adjusted using the LED display, and you get an alert sound when the time is finished as a nudge to open the machine and remove your make.
The machine can be adjusted for different thicknesses of material by turning the adjustment knob. The machine is quite small considering its large heat area, and would not look out of place on a craft desk.
Measurements: 9" x 10”
Pros: Compact, hydraulics, foam-grip handle, adjustable temperature settings and timer
Cons: Expensive, No additional attachments
Tumbler Heat Press Machine
Ideal for newbies, this heat press features an upgraded digital display that is larger and therefore easier to read, as well as now showing the temperature and time together.
You can also save up to four temperature and time combos for the first time with this machine, so you don’t have to repeatedly input this info.
Settings range from 0 to 400°F and from 0 to 999 seconds and can be tailored to suit each project.
Compatible with a wide range of drinkware, including 12-30oz straight skinny sublimation tumblers, 11-16oz can coolers, 12oz kids' sippy cups, 11-16oz stainless steel, ceramic and glass cups, mugs, and other water bottles.
If you have lots to do and are going for the small mugs, it prints two at a time.
Measurements: 30 x 30 x 22 cm
Pros: Simple and easy to set up and use, compact, available in pretty colours
Cons: Clasp can be tricky to open
Cricut Easypress Mini Heat Press Machine
- Buy now in the US from Amazon
This machine has certainly got the cute factor down. Cricut market it as being ‘mini but mighty’, and there are some things that this heat press machine does way better than its larger siblings.
Its oval shape and design make it great for getting into tricky areas on design shapes, working around hat curves or shoe eyelets.
You can see that feature in action in our heat transfer vinyl on shoes project. It is super simple to use, with 3 heat settings – low, medium and high.
The auto shut off feature makes sure the machine and your crafting is safe. It looks lovely, and takes up very little room, but we think an iron will do just as well for your needs in most instances.
If you are predominantly planning to use infusible inks, it would be worth investing in this machine. This heat press machine’s UK RRP is just £54.99, and there are plenty of deals and offers to be had.
Measurements: 3" x 2"
Pros: Inexpensive, simple to use, auto shut-off, compatible with HTV iron on products and Infusible Inks - great for beginners
Cons: Limited use
FAQs
Clamshell vs Swing-Away Heat Press
Clamshell and swing-away heat presses are two common types of heat press machines, and they differ in their design and operation. Here are the key differences between the two:
Design:
- Clamshell Heat Press: The clamshell heat press has a hinged top platen that lifts up and down. The top heat platen comes down directly onto the lower platen, sandwiching the shirt or a piece of fabric between them.
- Swing-Away Heat Press: The top platen is mounted on a swinging arm that can pivot completely away from the lower platen, providing easy access to the workspace without the risk of accidentally touching the hot platen.
Workspace Access:
- Clamshell Heat Press: Designed to be compact and space-saving, it can be limiting in terms of access to the lower platen, which may be a concern for larger or thicker items.
- Swing-Away Heat Press: Offering greater access and visibility to the lower platen, it’s easier to place and align items, especially larger or thicker substrates.
Safety:
- Clamshell Heat Press: This type can be less safe, as there's a risk of accidentally coming into contact with the hot upper platen when loading or unloading items.
- Swing-Away Heat Press: This design is generally considered safer because the top platen swings away from the work area, reducing the risk of burns or accidents.
Heat Distribution:
- Clamshell Heat Press: Since it directly applies heat and pressure, it may have more even heat distribution on the top platen.
- Swing-Away Heat Press: Since there's a gap between the upper and lower platens when in the open position, they may have slightly less even heat distribution on the top platen.
In the end, the choice between a clamshell and a swing-away heat press depends on your specific needs and preferences. Clamshell heat presses are more compact and space-efficient, while swing-away heat presses offer better access and safety.
The selection should be based on the types of projects you'll be working on and the space available in your workspace.
Should I buy a heat press machine?
Investing in a heat press machine empowers you to create custom, professional-quality designs on a variety of items, offering endless possibilities for personalisation and business opportunities.
More great kit to get you going with crafting projects
Looking to create your own mug designs at home? Read our Circut mug press review, and if you're just getting started with simple transfers, check out our guide to the best irons for sewing and quilting.
