Hi Widget. yes you can make transfers with your HP but it depends on the HP. The reason for the Epson is not because it is a better printer but for the main reason. it uses pigment ink. Pigment ink is really a plastic ink, not a dye. So when heated it stays where you print. Dye ink (HP) will bleed, fade and not look good after washing. A lot of the people here recommend Coral draw, I use both photoshop and Illustrator. If you going to send your designs out to be made into plastisol transfers then you will need vector art (coral draw, Illustrator) If your going to do your own then photoshop is good. There are a lot of places that make custom transfers and ready made transfers. If I can help let me know. Lou