If you run a business or create crafts at home, you may be wondering which heat press is the best to buy. I know this can be an overwhelming decision, so I’m here to help! Below, I’ll outline the differences between various heat presses and provide a buying guide for every budget. Whether you’re looking for an affordable heat press to get started or are ready to make a significant investment for your business, you’ll find the perfect heat press for your needs!
Which is the Best Heat Press?
First, if you would like to watch a video of me explaining the heat press differences, you can click play below. I will walk you through the choices, providing probably way more information than you ever wanted to know about each heat press.
Can't watch the video or missed some of the details? Keep scrolling, as I have the information below as well!
Heat Press Versus EasyPress
This post is all about traditional heat presses, and I will not be comparing them to an EasyPress. If you are interested in learning about the differences, just click here. This post will guide you through the process of choosing between a heat press and an EasyPress. I do believe there are situations where both are useful. However, if you have already decided that you want a full-sized heat press, keep reading!
Types of Heat Presses
When considering a heat press, there are two primary types to consider. Let's take a look at the features as well as the pros and cons of each.
Clamshell Press
The clamshell opens and hinges up like a clam, basically. Here are a few things you should know about this type of press:
- There are various height options available, depending on the heat press you select. Basically, the more expensive the press, the larger the opening. This is important because when working with the press, your hands will be really close to the heated surface in the back of a shorter press.
- The pressure can vary when the press is in operation. This means you could have issues with sublimating some blanks.
- You can get a drawer option on more expensive options. This means that the bottom will slide out towards you and away from the heated element. This is a great feature and is generally found on more expensive presses.
- Another option is auto-open. A clamshell press can be equipped with this feature, which allows it to open when the timer expires. This is particularly beneficial when you have multiple tasks to attend to simultaneously.
Swing Arm Press
These presses are a bit different. With these, the swing arm opens and the entire thing swings out of the way. This allows you to swing the heated portion away from the work area. Here are a few key points to consider about this type of press.
- You will need more space to operate this press. You'll need space for this to swing all the way out and all the way to the back, if you desire. Therefore, you will need to consider the larger footprint in your planning.
- These presses do have a very consistent pressure because they press straight down. This makes them ideal for sublimation.
Heat Press Size
Now that we have looked at types, what about size? What size should you buy when shopping for a heat press? Buy the largest size you can afford at the time, as you can never make the heating element any larger. If you start with a 9×12 press and find you need a 15×15 press one day, you will need to buy an entirely new press. Unfortunately, you can't turn a 9×12 into a 15×15.
Free HTV Cheat Sheet
Get your FREE Printable HTV Cheat Sheet now! This guide has sizing and position recommendations for infant through adult shirts as well as a handy HTV use guide. Print this double sided guide and put it by any heat press you own!
Bundles
Many of these heat presses are available in a five-in-one or eight-in-one bundle. They come with a wide variety of attachments for mugs, plates, hats, and more. They are all over Amazon, and you may think they are a huge bargain, but I find that these presses are very cheaply made, and the attachments are horrible to work with. I would rather buy a more expensive press and a separate mug press if I wanted one. I don't need a press and attachments that I am not happy with and don't really use.
I also wanted to mention that cheaper presses can have uneven heating across the heat plate, which can lead to various issues when pressing. I believe that investing in a quality press is essential to your success when crafting. However, if you still want to buy one of these presses, be sure to read a lot of reviews before making a purchase.
Brand Names
There are numerous brand names on presses, as manufacturers produce presses and sell them to a variety of outlets. These people make up a name and drop the presses on Amazon. I am going to provide a list of presses below, drawn from names I trust myself, so I feel confident recommending them. I will say that a brand-name press will have a different feel to it, and you can tell right away that it is heavier-duty than off-brands.
Customer Service
Many cheap presses on Amazon come with zero customer service. If you can afford it, I would recommend buying a heat press from a reputable dealer. One of my favorites is Heat Transfer Warehouse. You'll receive instructions and customer service support upon purchase. I see comments almost every day from someone who purchased a bargain on Amazon only to find that it doesn't work correctly, and they have a tough time reaching anyone to help them.
Must-Have Features
There are a few things that are non-negotiable for me when looking for a press.
- A press must have a digital display. There are some super cheap models out there with analog, and I would not purchase those.
- A built-in timer is also essential, as I don't want to rely on a secondary timer.
- Adjustable pressure is also a feature that you should have on any press. An inexpensive press will not provide an exact readout of the pressure, so you must rely on feel. This is really a deal-breaker for me.
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Pricing
Now that you may have an idea of what type of press you want, how much do you want to spend? What I can say is that a cheaper press will typically last a limited time, based on my experience. Most cheap presses last a year or less with regular, consistent use by a business. Determine your budget, then review the list below. I have press recommendations for just about every budget. Yes, some are really expensive. It is okay to start with a more affordable press and invest in a larger one as your business grows. Do what is right for you!
I will note that I haven't tried all the ones on the list. My craft room would be full of heat presses if I did that, but I did look through a bunch of heat presses for the reviews. You will see quite a few from places like Heat Transfer Warehouse. I highly recommend choosing a reputable place to purchase your heat press.
Heat presses under $200
Heat presses under $500
- Siser Clam Shell
- WALAPress V3.1 15×15 Clam Shell
- HotTronix 9×12 Clam Shell
- Transpro 15×15 Drawer Clam Shell
Heat presses under $1000
Heat presses under $2000
If you do get a heat press and are confused about how to use it, try this video on using a heat press. It was my first heat press tutorial, and that video has helped many people! I hope this post helps you choose the heat press that best suits your crafting needs.
Uses for your Heat Press
Want to put your heat press to use? Here are some projects that you may enjoy:
