Discuss the different brands and sizes of heat presses available on the market, including Hix, GeoKnight, Hotronix, and other smaller manufacturers. Topics include maintenance, selection, styles and more.
Im new to tshirt industry and this is my first post.
Im looking for a heat press at the moment and wondering what is the different between expensive one and cheap one. For instance:
Word to the wise, with heat presses try to go with a well-known brand (Hix, Hotronics, Stahls, Geo Knight). They are made in USA and have good reliability and company support. Stay away from the foreign brands you see on Ebay. They are generally poorly made and they will cost more in the long run.
You should be able to purchase a new 15x15, made in the U.S. for $600-$700. There are some good imports. Just make sure that you are purchasing from a reputable company who offers a warranty, and will stand behind it.
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Just another question guys.
Really curios.
what is the difference between cheap and expensive heat press?
Heat press is just heat press? Am I right?
As long as it can reach certain degree of heat then it would do the job right?
Please explain guys. Any example of the problems that come out from cheap heat press??
Just another question guys.
Really curios.
what is the difference between cheap and expensive heat press?
Heat press is just heat press? Am I right?
As long as it can reach certain degree of heat then it would do the job right?
Please explain guys. Any example of the problems that come out from cheap heat press??
thanks again
Not all heat presses are created equal! If you go with a cheap brand then you will eventually run into problems. For one they tend to get cold spots in the heating element meaning that when you press a shirt wherever the cold spot is the transfer will not adhere because there is no heat in that area.
Also the parts are cheap and tend to need replacing more often and it is very difficult to find replacement parts or someone to repair it. A lot of the time the temperature is inaccurate and the heat is all over the place which also causes problems like scorching when pressing shirts.
I would go with a reputable company. No way in hell would I pay $1500 for one but I think it is possible for you to get a good press from a reputable company that will stand behind the product and can offer support for around $400-$600.
The first press I bought was a Chinese press. After three years of continued use it has a cold spot in the top left of the heating element. The second press I bought was HIX hat press that I swear it is so old it had to be the very first one off the assembly line but it works great. The third press I bought replaced the cheap Chinese press and I got it from Sunie and it came with a 3 year warranty. Works great and I have already made my money on the investment.
Be careful about purchasing a printer off of ebay. I strongely encourage you to purchase a heat press from a reliable vendor, such as Geo. Knight. They stand behind the product and offer excellent tech support.
__________________ Conde Systems Tech Support
800-826-6332
Just another question guys.
Really curios.
what is the difference between cheap and expensive heat press? Heat press is just heat press? Am I right?
As long as it can reach certain degree of heat then it would do the job right?
Please explain guys. Any example of the problems that come out from cheap heat press??
thanks again
About like a Yugo is like a Cadillac, because they are both cars, with four wheels.
If you are going to invest in a heat press, buy from a vendor who will stand behind their warranty. I get a lot of calls for clients wanting me to tech support a piece of equipment they bought off of ebay. Things usually end up bad. If I can't fix it and the person they bought it from is no where to be found. All I can say is "I am sory but, you need to replace it." My heart goes out to them, but my hands are tied.
With theses tough economic times by equipment you can count on, if not you will have to put out even more monies to replace it.
__________________ Conde Systems Tech Support
800-826-6332
HIX, Knight, Stahls' and Insta are the four major US heat presses, however their names seem to be ignored.
The vast majority of all others mentioned here and advertised elsewhere, are imports and usually Chinese.
They are always going to be cheaper. Americans don't work under the same economic, safety, health, social conditions or manufacturing standards as emerging market countries.
Trying to favorably compare import presses to top of the line US presses is similar to comparing a real carpenters hammer to a hammer out of the "Dollar Barrel" at Auto Zone; by saying they both have metal heads and wood handles.
Most would view that supposition as ludicrous, but not, it seems, when it comes to heat presses. There, cheap and cheaply made is commonly banded about as equal to the best.
Included in my 46 business years was 19 as a retailer and currently 12 as a wholesaler. I sometimes bought cheap, because I couldn't afford better but I never pretended my "sow's ear was a silk purse".
In so far as which cheap press is the best? Ask the question to 10 people and you will probably get 11 answers. Decide, when you feel lucky, and pick.
This seems to be a foreign-made press. The voltage is 220V and the specs are in metric. Most foreign brands, especially Chinese, are of inferior quality and wind up causing problems in the long run. Speaking from personal experience.
Heat Press Differences 
