Heat pressing your design onto a sublimation blank is an essential part of the entire sublimation process. Without the right heat press, you won’t be able to transfer your printed design properly onto the blank, resulting in a poor outcome.
This Sublimation Heat Press Buyers Guide will show you what heat press you need to sublimate on blanks that have a flat surface. Sublimation blanks with a flat surface need either a Swing Away Heat Press, Clamshell Heat Press, or a multifunction type heat press.
This comprehensive heat press for sublimation guide will help you make an informed decision about which heat press is best for you and the type of sublimation projects you’re creating. They can be expensive so choosing the right sublimation heat press is important!
Why You Need Heat For Sublimation
Once you print your design using a sublimation printer, you need a heat press to permanently transfer your printed sublimation design onto your sublimation blank. That scientific process, turning solid to gas, occurs at a range of high temperatures ranging from 350 to 400°F.
Besides the high heat, you also need constant pressure ranging from 40 to 80psi while pressing your design. Any change in pressure during the pressing process can result in blank spots and ghosting.
There are a variety of heat presses you can use for sublimation and they include:
- Standard Heat Press – Swing away and Clamshell
- Multifunction
- Hat Press
- Plate Press
- Mug Press
- Tumbler Press
- Convection Oven
- 3D Vacuum Press
In this buyer’s guide, we’re discussing the heat presses for flat surfaces. If you are looking for tumblers and mug presses, then the Sublimation Mug and Tumbler Press Buyers Guide will be helpful in finding the perfect press for your needs. With this guide, you will have all the information you need to select the ideal press and get started on your creative projects.
6 Tips When Buying A Sublimation Heat Press
Consider the following tips when buying a heat press for sublimation items with flat surfaces such as:
| T-shirts | Christmas Ornaments | Keychains |
| Photo Panels | Mouse Pads | Dog Tags |
| Coasters | Kitchen Towels | Pillow Cases |
| Tote Bags | Door Mats | Slates |
1. Do your research
The first step to buying a sublimation heat press is to do your research. There are a variety of heat presses on the market, and it’s important to find one that will fit your specific needs.
Both swing away and clamshell heat presses are made for sublimation blanks that are flat. So consider the following when doing your research:
- How thick are the sublimation blanks that you will be pressing?
- How often will you be using your heat press?
- How much space do you have for it?
2. Check your electrical circuit
Sublimation heat presses require a large wattage in order for it to function correctly.
If you plug in a heat press that demands a large amount of watt into a circuit that can’t handle it, you’ll overload it and either trip the circuit or blow a fuse. But this built-in safety feature can fail if the fuse or breaker is not the right size. An overloaded circuit is a major cause of residential fires according to the National Agriculture Safety Database.
So if your heat press demands 1800 watts of electricity, then you can’t plug it into the same circuit where your refrigerator is plugged in. Most household circuits are 15 to 20 amps, which is 1800 to 2400 watts at 120V.
Calculate what your circuit can handle using a watts to amps converter to double check if it can handle the heat press you’re planning on purchasing.
3. Consider the features that are important to you.
There are a variety of different features that heat presses can have, such as swing away versus clamshell design, adjustable temperature and pressure settings, auto open, digital display, programmable settings, warranty length and availability of tech support.
Determine which features are most important to you and look for a heat press that has those features.
4. Set a budget
After you’ve done your research and identified what type of heat press you would like, it’s important to set a budget that fits within your price range.
Heat presses can range vastly in cost and there are models out there to meet any level of budget. Whether you need an introductory press for more casual hobbyers or a top-of-the-line machine for a commercial business, make sure that your choice is the best one for you and your situation without breaking the bank.
Remember: buying something too cheap might not work as well, but spending on an overly expensive item might not be the best investment either. Take some time to think about the functionality you’ll need before settling on how much you’re willing to spend.
5. Read reviews and recommendations
When it comes to choosing the right sublimation heat press for your needs, it’s important to take into account the reviews and feedback from other users.
Reading reviews can give you an idea of how certain machines handle various tasks, as well as whether they are durable or have any reported issues.
It’s a good idea to seek out a variety of sources for recommendations. You can find them on online forums, product blogs, consumer review websites, and even personal friends and family who have used heat presses.
This is important in order to get as much information on a particular heat press and form an informed decision about which machine is best for you.
And remember, reviews can also be fake or bought. Some sellers give the buyers an incentive for leaving a positive review on their product…this is called “incentivized reviews.”
Even if the review is not true, the buyers would leave a false positive review in order to get the money they’ve been offered by the seller. Having a large number of positive reviews can increase the product’s rank and will be shown in the first few pages of online stores such as Amazon.
One way to check if the reviews can be trusted is through review checker websites such as FakeSpot. Simply copy the product’s URL and paste that into FakeSpot and click “Analyze”.
6. Purchase From A Reputable Dealer
When making your purchase, buy from a reputable and trustworthy source.
It’s true that you can sometimes get a good deal if you go with the cheapest option, but in the long run it is usually more cost effective to buy higher quality items from a dependable brand.
This way, you know that your money is going towards something that you can trust and rely on – saving you the hassle of having to replace it down the line. With a reputable dealer or seller, you can also often get peace of mind in knowing that if any issues arise, you can contact them for tech support, repairs or replacement parts as needed.
The recommendations in this Sublimation Heat Press Buyer’s Guide come from some major players in the industry and provide reliable quality with a full customer service and support system.
Buy from someone trustworthy and you know they’ll be there when you need them to honor their warranty or call them for tech support!
Buying from a third party seller on an online marketplace can be hit or miss. More often than not, those sellers are from outside the USA who have no proven longevity in the business of selling heat presses.
So if you want peace of mind with your heat press purchase, stick with the dealers who are trusted by the manufacturers to carry their products and buy from a brand that you know will be there when you need them to honor their warranty.
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Heat Press For Flat Sublimation Blanks
For sublimating tumblers and mugs, you’d need a different one called Mug and Tumbler Heat Presses. Their heating elements are curved to wrap around the coffee mugs and tumblers. You may also use a convection oven for sublimation mugs and tumblers.
In this sublimation heat press buyers guide, we’re discussing the regular heat press. It’s the type of press that is most used in sublimating blanks that have a flat surface.
It has a flat source of heat (heat platen) that is on the top while the bottom part is hard rubber. The top heat platen closes down on the bottom plate while your sublimation blank, with a flat surface, is in the middle.
These heat presses have multiple options such as auto open when done and sliding bottom plates. It comes in multiple sizes ranging from 9×12”, 12×15”, 15×15”, 16×20”, 20×25” and large formats such as 32×42” and 44×64”.
They also come in two types: the Swing Away and Clamshell.
Swing Away Heat Presses
Swing Away heat presses have the top heat platen separate from the bottom base. It is joined at the back, center through a single column. The top heat platen lifts up by going up and down the central column then swings or rotates away from the base.
Because of the rotation action off the column, this type of heat press requires enough room in order to swing away and expose the entire bottom plate.
Pros Of A Swing Away Heat Press
- Applies an even pressure on the sublimation blank since the top platen closes vertically or straight down towards the sublimation blank and not in an angle.
- Decreases the chances of you burning your knuckles on the top heat platen when you’re placing and aligning your sublimation blank on the lower platen since the heat source swings all the way to the back.
Cons Of A Swing Away Heat Press
- Requires more room since the top heat platen needs to rotate or pivot, about 180°, away from the base.
- More expensive than a Clamshell heat press.
Recommended Swing Away Heat Presses: Small Format
These smaller format, swing away heat presses are great for smaller items such as ornaments, mouse pads, keychains, dog tags, and tote bags.
These recommended swing away heat presses have heat platens ranging in size from a 9×12-inch to 15×15-inch.
MPress 9×12″ High Pressure Swing Away
- Affordable entry level heat press.
- Durable heating board and gives a consistent temperature
- Full range adjustable knob
- “Strong handle” for an easy opening and closing
- Heat resistant silicone pad for high temperatures, up to 400°F
- Power Rating: 900 watts, 8 amps
- Lifetime tech support from Heat Press Nation.
- 1 year parts and service warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty.
HPN CraftPro 12×15″ Swing Away
- Digital temperature and timer.
- Floatation feature on the top platen allows it to adjust its downward movement for a constant pressure.
- Comes in 3 colors: Mint, Pink, and Gray
- Power Rating: approximately 1200 watts, 11 amps (from HPN Signature Series 12×15” specs)
- Lifetime tech support from Heat Press Nation.
- 1 year parts and service warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty.
HPN Black Series 15×15″ Swing Away
- Upgraded digital temperature and time gauge with a 4-degree accuracy.
- Automatic timer that sounds off 3 seconds before it reaches 0 to prevent burning your sublimation blank.
- Improved pressure adjustment with a smooth action capable of heating thick substrates.
- Dual fuse design so if one goes out, the other is ready to go within seconds.
- Power Rating: 1400 watts, 13 amps
- Lifetime tech support from Heat Press Nation.
- 1 year parts and service warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty.
Recommended Swing Away Heat Presses: Large 16×20″
Once you print your large sublimation design using your Wide-Format Converted Epson Printer or the SG1000, then you need a large format heat press.
These heat presses all have a 16×20” heat platen. They are large enough to press most sublimation blanks including t-shirts of all sizes and garden flags in its entirety.
GEorge Knight DK20S Heat Press, 16×20″
- Top of the line, workhorse heat press. This company is considered the “Cadillac” of heat presses.
- 70 programmable presets.
- Accommodates sublimation blanks up to 2-inches thick.
- Uses their trademarked supercoil microwinding heating element that provides an even heat throughout the heat plate, fast recovery, and fast heat up times.
- Heavy-duty solid steel framework which is why it weighs 200 lbs.
- Optional, interchangeable heat platens and bottom plates to accommodate hats, bottom heat platens, and plates too.
- Power Rating: 1800 watts, 15 amps
- Lifetime warranty on heat platen and free lifetime tech support
- Made in the USA by George Knight & Co. They have been in the business of making heat presses since 1885!
The DK20S is the heat press we use for our sublimation business. It’s a workhorse! It has not had a single issue since we bought it 5 years ago.
J, Beale, Sublimation Business Owner
Its performance is consistent, reliable, and can handle thousands of presses per month. It’s been one of the best business investments we’ve made.
HPN Black Series Swing Away, 16×20″
- Commercial grade, affordable swing away heat press.
- Automatic timer with an alarm that starts to sound 3 seconds before it reaches zero to prevent overheating your sublimation material.
- Dual fuse design so if one goes out, the other is ready to go within seconds.
- Power Rating: 1700 watts, 14 amps
- Lifetime tech support from Heat Press Nation.
- 1 year parts and service warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty.
Stahls Hotronix Fusion IQ, 16×20″
- Built in touch screen that can store unlimited preset programs
- Capable of two methods of operation: swing away or draw motion (the bottom plate can slide forward like a drawer opening).
- Energy saving 4 hour sleep mode
- Cast aluminum frame and weighs 150 lbs.
- Power Rating: 1750 watts, 14.5 amps
- Lifetime warranty on heating element and lifetime tech support
- Made in the USA
HPN Signature Pro with surepressure, 16×20″
- Competitively priced for hobbyist but also capable of commercial use for small business owners.
- Includes an exclusive secondary leverage handle to increase safety and wase when swinging away the top heat platen.
- Features include the patent pending SurePressure that give you the ability to have a reference points for all your printed sublimation transfers pressure settings so that you get the same constant pressure for every press.
- Digital Automatic timer that starts to sound 3 seconds before it reaches zero to prevent overheating your sublimation blank.
- Power Rating: 1600 watts, 14 amps
- Lifetime tech support from Heat Press Nation.
- 1 year parts and service warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty.
Clamshell Heat Presses
Clamshell heat presses have the top heat platen and bottom base connected in the back with a hinge. It gets its name from a clam because it opens and closes just like it!
This type of heat presses open up to about 70° to allow you to insert your sublimation blank between the top heat platen and bottom rubber base.
Pros Of A Clamshell Heat Press
- Does not require a large space since it opens on a hinged up and down action.
- More affordable than Swing Away Heat Presses.
- Great for thinner sublimation blanks.
Cons Of A Clamshell Heat Press
- The pressure can be uneven. The pressure at the back, closer to the hinge, is tighter than the pressure at the front. This is due to the way the hinge closes closes down at an angle to the sublimation blank.
- If you’re not careful, you may burn the back of your hands or knuckles when inserting your sublimation blank. When heated and opened, the space at the back is smaller than the space at the front which means the heated element is closer to your fingers
Recommended Clamshell Heat Presses: Small Format
These small format, clamshell heat presses are great for smaller items such as keychains, Christmas ornaments, and dog tags ot name a few.
These recommended clamshell heat presses have heat platens that are 15×15-inches and smaller.
Swing DEsign 15×15″ Craft Press
- Budget friendly 15×15” heat press
- Heats up to 480°F
- Advanced heat platen for an even heat distribution
- Solid steel construction
- Power rating: 1300 watts,
- Includes a $200 card code for SoFontsy design store (subject to change without notice)
- Lifetime support from Swing Design
- 1 year warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty
HPN CRaftPro 15×15″
- Slide-out lower platen so you reduce the risk of burning your fingers on the top heat platen when setting up your blank and sublimation transfer.
- Digital computer temperature and timer for a more precise value.
- Power rating: 1500 watts, 14 amps
- Lifetime tech support from Heat Press Nation.
- 1 year parts and service warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty.
Recommended Clamshell Heat Presses: Large 16×20″
These Clamshell heat presses have a 16×20” heat platen. They are large enough to press most sublimation blanks without having to move the blank to press the other part.
Mpress High Pressure Heat Press, 16×20″
- Entry level 16×20” clamshell heat press for both home hobby and small businesses.
- Unique “strong handle” with spring assist design for easy and sturdy operations.
- Full range adjustable knob for thin and thick sublimation blanks.
- Digital temperature and time control.
- Power Rating: 1700 watts, 14 amps
- Lifetime tech support from Heat Press Nation.
- 1 year parts and service warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty.
HPN Black Series Portrait ClamShell, 16×20″
- Affordable large heat press capable of being used for commercial purposes.
- Upgraded digital time and temperature gauge with an automatic timer that starts to sound 3 seconds before it reaches zero.
- Secondary leverage handle for added support and ease of use.
- Dual fuse design so if one goes out, the second one is ready to go in seconds.
- Power Rating: 1700 watts, 14 amps
- Lifetime tech support from Heat Press Nation.
- 1 year parts and service warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty.
HPN Signature Series Slide Out Drawer, 16×20”
- Bottom of the heat press slides out like a drawer so it’s easier to add your sublimation blank without the risk of burning your knuckles on the heat platen.
- Powerful clamp mechanism also includes a gas shock which makes it one of the most comfortable heat press to open.
- Upgraded digital time and temperature gauge with an automatic timer that starts to sound 3 seconds before it reaches zero.
- Power Rating: 1600 watts, 14 amps
- Lifetime tech support from Heat Press Nation.
- 1 year parts and service warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty.
Plate press
This is for pressing sublimation designs on the inside, flat part of a dish plate. It’s a specialty press for sublimation plates.
The heat platen is small and round. The good thing about this is that it can also be used for smaller sublimation projects such as keychains, ornaments, luggage tags, t-shirt labels amongst others.
Recommended Plate Presses
Geo Knight Combo Plate Attachment
- This attachment is the heat platen that can be used for the 14×16” Swing Away Heat Press (Model DC16). You would have to purchase that heat press separately.
- It comes in two sizes for different size plates: 4.5 and 5.5-inches
- Includes template tray and pad for centering the plate.
- Lifetime warranty on heat platen and free lifetime tech support
- Made in the USA by George Knight & Co. They have been in the business of making heat presses since 1885!
Multifunction Heat press
Multifunction heat presses have interchangeable heat platen attachments. They allow you to do more than just one type of sublimation blank.
They’re versatility is invaluable, as it enables you to transfer images onto a large variety of sublimation blanks such as:
- T-shirts
- Ornaments
- Photo panels
- Hats/caps
- Plates
- Coffee Mugs
- Tapered Latte Cups
- Mousepads
- Keychains
Recommended Multifunction Heat Presses
Swing Design 8-in-1 15×15”
- Budget friendly swing away style heat press
- 8-in-1 features allow you to press flat sublimation blanks, hats, plates, mugs, and tapered cups
- Digital temp and time
- Solid steel construction
- Includes a $200 card code to SoFontsy design store (subject to change without notice)
- Power rating: 1300 watts
- Lifetime tech support from Swing Design
- 1 year warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty
HPN Black Series 8-in-1 15×15″
- Swing away multifunction heat press
- Commercial quality
- 8-in-1 features allow you to press flat substrates, caps/hats, plates, mugs, and tapered cups
- Upgraded digital time and temperature gauges with a 4-degree accuracy
- Dual fuse design so if one goes out, the other one is ready to take over
- Capable of pressing sublimation blanks up to 2 inches thick
- Power rating: 1400 watts, 13 amps
- Lifetime tech support from Heat Press Nation.
- 1 year parts and service warranty with an option to purchase an extended warranty
Recommended Heat Press Based On Your Budget
After buying your sublimation printer and other basic accessories you need to get started on sublimation, then budgeting for your heat press is important. We’ve narrowed down the recommended heat presses that fits all budget levels.
*Please note that the below prices are subject to change without notice.
Budget Heat Press Under $300
Swing Design 15×15″ Clamshell Craft Heat Press
Multifunction Heat press Under $500
Swing Design 8-in-1 Multifunction 15×15″ Swing Away Heat Press
16×20″ Clamshell Under $600
Mpress High Pressure 16×20″ Clamshell Heat Press
16×20″ Swing AWay Under $900
HPN Black Series 16×20″ Swing Away Heat Press
16×20″ Workhorse Heat Press Under $2000
George Knight DK20S 16×20″ Heat Press
Includes a lifetime warranty on the heat platen and it’s made in the USA.
Summary
If you are wanting to start sublimating or heat pressing in general, this Sublimation Heat Press Buyers Guide has hopefully provided some idea on what kind of heat press you need to get started!
With the varying features of the heat presses in all sorts of budget levels, make sure you purchase one that has tech support and warranty from a dealer or manufacturer that you can trust. The heat presses we featured in this buyer’s guide all come from trustworthy sellers!
Sublimation can be a great way to make personalized gifts or products, and with the right tools, it is easy and fun. And once you have your printer and basic accessories, don’t forget to check out the Free Sublimation Designs so that you can do your very first sublimation project.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heat Presses
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