[trapdoor]

A few months ago, I really knew nothing about heat press brands and what things you would want to look for when buying a heat press.

Here are some of the things I've learned and how I learned them

Hi Rodney,

I'd really like to get my brother some sort of heat press as an early Christmas present, but I'm not really sure what it is I need to get. I was hoping you might be able to shine some light on the subject for me.

My brother screen prints t-shirts as a hobby and is now starting to get orders from friends of friends & family members who have seen folks wearing his t-shirt designs. The number of t-shirt orders is getting out of control, especially with Christmas coming up.

After he puts the design on the t-shirts using dye & his silk screens, I usually help him iron the t-shirts (4 minutes each) so the dye sets in the fabric and becomes permanent. This takes a long time and would be much easier if he had some sort of heat press with a timer & temp control.

I've been looking around trying to figure out what exactly he needs, but it seems all of the heat presses seem to be for transfers (iron-ons?) or vinyl.

I'm really not in-the-know when it comes to all of this stuff, and I'm reluctant to ask my brother since it'll surely tip him off that I'm trying to buy a heat press for him.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I'm really at a loss here!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rodney]

Hi Rodney,

I'd really like to get my brother some sort of heat press as an early Christmas present, but I'm not really sure what it is I need to get. I was hoping you might be able to shine some light on the subject for me.

My brother screen prints t-shirts as a hobby and is now starting to get orders from friends of friends & family members who have seen folks wearing his t-shirt designs. The number of t-shirt orders is getting out of control, especially with Christmas coming up.

After he puts the design on the t-shirts using dye & his silk screens, I usually help him iron the t-shirts (4 minutes each) so the dye sets in the fabric and becomes permanent. This takes a long time and would be much easier if he had some sort of heat press with a timer & temp control.

I've been looking around trying to figure out what exactly he needs, but it seems all of the heat presses seem to be for transfers (iron-ons?) or vinyl.

I'm really not in-the-know when it comes to all of this stuff, and I'm reluctant to ask my brother since it'll surely tip him off that I'm trying to buy a heat press for him.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I'm really at a loss here!

Thanks in advance.

It sounds like your brother might need a small dryer for curing screen printing ink instead of a heat press?

If he's not doing any heat transfers or vinyl, you may want to look into getting him a small conveyor dryer

You might want to post your question in the screen printing section of the forum to see if someone there can suggest a dryer for curing screen printing inks.

 

[trapdoor]

It sounds like your brother might need a small dryer for curing screen printing ink instead of a heat press?

If he's not doing any heat transfers or vinyl, you may want to look into getting him a small conveyor dryer

You might want to post your question in the screen printing section of the forum to see if someone there can suggest a dryer for curing screen printing inks.

Thanks so much !! I will check out some small conveyor dyers as you suggested, as well as post my question in the screen printing section.

 

[Jerseooffer]

ok,Thanks.I learn much after reading your post.

 

[twobears]

Beware Beware
Beware Heatpresswholesale.com Beware
Beware Beware
I have been burned twice, 1st bad warranty, 2nd can't even get owners manual

 

[Double Tees]

Good info
Thanks

 

[Double Tees]

Found some very good info thanks

 

[jge]

Twobears, I looked at the website you posted the "beware" for, and had to chuckle. All the cheap Chinese junk they are peddling which is not even suitable for light duty is all labelled as "Commercial Heavy Duty". Obviously there is a sucker born every day, because somebody must be buying this junk..........................

 

[cosmoalien]

Thanks You so much Rodney, this really helped!

 

[jaspercasillano]

Anyone heard of Dragon Press brand? can you give me some feedbacks? =)

 

[InvisibleTshirt]

thanks man, it really helps.

 

[trexbob]

Hi All!

I'm new to the forum and have been enjoying researching and reading from the threads here! Really great information here and everyone is so helpful

So, i'm hoping I can get a little help myself...I'm very new to this idea of heat transfer pressing (complete noob, but I've gotten silk screens done in the past - just too much inventory :/) and have been researching which press might be best for me. I'm looking to do small batch runs onsite at comic conventions/art fairs, and on-demand orders for etsy. It seems like a clamshell 15x15 might be the best for what i'm looking to do? I'm just focusing on t-shirts at the moment, nothing huge and oversized. I am also looking to print my own transfers as I just got a really nice canon printer for art prints - may as well use it for tshirt transfers too! Full-color digital designs. Are inkjet transfers any good?? D:

I don't want to pay too much because I can't tell how well this transfer thing will go. I'm looking to pay $300-$500. I've been eyeing a couple presses on amazon that seem decent and have good ratings. Can anybody help confirm whether these are good buys??

PowerPress Industrial-Quality Digital 15x15-Inch Sublimation Heat Press - $250
Amazon.com: PowerPress Industrial-Quality Digital 15-by-15-Inch Sublimation T-Shirt Heat Press, Black: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Gecko T-Shirt Sublimation GK100 Heat Transfer Press - $269
http://www.amazon.com/T-Shirt-Subli...sbs_201_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0DYMS8T8S1F1EAGB1HKN

To reiterate questions:
1) Do you guys think a 15x15 clamshell is the best way for me to start and lug onsite to fairs?
2) These aren't big name brands, but do the Powerpress or Gecko 15x15 press seem like good beginner heat presses?
3) Are inkjet transfer papers any good? I'm getting some samples from Stahls and TransferExpress...But, are inkjet transfers legit enough or would it be better to have designs printed up elsewhere?
4) any additional advice? I'm always open to feedback!

Thank you so much and I'm looking forward to being part of this community!!

trexbob (steph)

ps. so sorry, I can't seem to get the formatting and URL's to work right in the post :/

 

[cyberdan]

Twobears, I looked at the website you posted the "beware" for, and had to chuckle. All the cheap Chinese junk they are peddling which is not even suitable for light duty

2015 UPDATE
The website is gone (Heatpresswholesale.com)
they are now probably out of business or changed their name and selling at a new site.

 

[Dobby2016]

Awesome thread, Rodney. This has been incredibly helpful. Per chance - is the main post still relevant in 2016?

Joe