Barclays Printing Service

Types of Heat Press Machines

Types of Heat Press Machines

 

If you’re looking to buy a heat press machine for your business, there are plenty of different options available.

in order to figure out which is the type most suited for your purpose, you will also need to decide what’s most important to you – ease of use, versatility, efficiency, portability or affordability.

Different heat press machine types offer different features, so it is important to think about these.

To help you figure out which one you would like to buy, we have compiled a guide on how the different kinds of heat press machines work, what their features are and how much space they take up.

Here are the 5 types of heat press machines available on the market this year.

 

Find below a quick and easy-to-understand outline on the main heat press types currently available.

1. Clam Shell Type

This model opens and closes like a clam. The top of the machine opens to about a 45-degree angle. Closing the machine – When the top and bottom of the platens meet the press will snap close.

This model is the most common amongst beginners and professionals as it is easy to operate and takes up little floor space.

HeatPressNation.com, Amazon.com, Ebay.com and CoastalBusiness.com carry a large selection of clamshell heat press machines. Visit each of the sites mentioned for prices, machine specs. and features.

 

 

 

Here is our list of the advantages and disadvantages of the clamshell model.

Clamshell Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Requires little floor space
  • Ideal for printing t-shirts, tote bags, sweatshirts
  • Fewer steps to operate

Clamshell Cons

  • Not suitable for thicker substrates like ceramic tiles
  • Pressure is not distributed evenly since the rear of the platen closes first
  • Less energy-efficient due to top platen being exposed to room temperature when opened

 

 

2. Swing Away Heat Press

Known as swingers in the industry, are designed to allow the top of the machine to swing away from the bottom platen.

You will notice that the naming convention for each of these machines is literally describing the function of how the machines open and close.

The swing-away feature allows for better positioning of the garment without the fear of burning yourself.

Unlike the clamshell press, the swing-away press allows thicker substrates such as ceramic tile, hats and even mugs.

 

 

 

Here is our list of the advantages and disadvantages of the clamshell model.

Swing Away Pros

  • Perfect for thick substrates such as ceramic tile
  • Evenly distributes heat when pressing down
  • Energy-efficient since the platens are not exposed to room temperature when opened

Swing Away Cons

  • Requires more floor space
  • Much heavier making them a bit difficult to transport
  • Require a few more steps when compared to the clamshell press

 

 

3. Pull-Out Drawer Heat Press

This heat press model is unique as the lower platen pull-out toward the operator is similar to a drawer – hence the name “drawer” heat press. This feature allows the user to easily layout their garment without the worry of burning themselves on the upper platen when fixing the garment position.

Another neat feature is the movable work surface, as this prevents the design from shifting out of place before the transfer starts.

 

 

 

 

Here is our list of the advantages and disadvantages of the clamshell model.

Draw Pros

  • Easily fix or reposition garment and graphic before the transfer take place
  • Pull-out feature allows for more room to layout garment safely

Draw Cons

  • Need more floor space due to its pull-out feature
  • The cost of this model is a bit more expensive

 

 

4. Portable Heat Press

For the hobbyist looking to start experimenting and personalizing on-off garments, a portable heat press might be the best route.

The Cricut Easy Press and FeiLian Easy Heat Press are lightweight and affordable heat press options. These are perfect for simple heat transfer vinyl and dye-sublimation transfer onto t-shirts, tote bags and baby bodysuits.

 

 

 

 

Here is our list of the advantages and disadvantages of the clamshell model.

Portable Pros

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Affordable
  • Ideal for hobbyists and small business owners

Portable Cons

  • No pressure
  • No memory setting – must always enter the desired temperature

 

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