T-shirt sales have ramped up over the last couple of years!
There’s a pretty good reason for such events. First of all, the comfort that shirts offer when traveling is really a desirable aspect of the modern times.
But the key reason, after all, is style, which is a pretty big deal in the 21st century. A shirt can be paired up with almost everything from skirts to pants; there are a million ways of styling a shirt.
Heat presses are ideal for many reason, one being, you can easily transfer the desired print to your shirt.
Secondly, it is a good way to start; to own a convenient machine if you are considering having your own business.
Heat presses do not even occupy much space so you can buy one and start up literally in any corner of your home.
Best Heat Press for Shirts 2023 Reviews
To bring some flair to your business, we have reviewed ten heat presses that are ideal for printing shirts.
Top Heat Press for Shirts Comparison Table
No. | Preview | Product Name | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  | SUPER DEAL PRO 5 in 1 Heat Press Machine | ||
2 |  | SmarketBuy Heat Press 12x15 Swing | ||
3 |  | BAHOM 15x15in, 1400W Digital Heat Transfer | ||
4 |  | USCutter 15"x15" Digital Heat Press Machine | ||
5 |  | ePhoto New Digital 15" x 15" T-Shirt Heat Transfer | ||
6 |  | ZENY Upgraded Professional Digital T-shirt Heat Press Machine | ||
7 |  | F2C 5 in 1 Professional Swing-Away Rotation Heat Press Machine: | ||
8 |  | VEVOR 15x15inch 8 in 1 Digital Multifunctional Heat Presser | ||
9 |  | Fancierstudio Digital 15 x 15 T-Shirt Heat Press | ||
10 |  | SUNCOO 360 Degree Swing Away 12x15 Heat Transfer Machine |
1) SUPER DEAL PRO 5 in 1 Heat Press Machine Multifunction Sublimation:
This heat press is one of the best deals available in the market for printing shirts.
This 5 in 1 multifunction heat press machine comes with 1 fully-assembled machine with platen press, 1 hat press, 1 mug press and 2 plate presses.
Super deal heat press uses high temperatures and heavy pressure to embed the design onto the material permanently.
Irons cannot reach the high temperatures and pressure that a heat press machine can reach and sustain.
It has a 360 degree rotation design which is crucial. It enables you to move the heating element aside.
It will provide you with more precision given the fact that you’ll be seeing the entire work surface.
The unit comes with digital temperature and time display, which allows you to pre-set the desired time and temperature for your shirt.
Once time and temperature have been set, shut the heating platen and let it do the magic.
The unit has an in built alarm system, which will make a loud chime when the time is up to avoid over exposure which might affect the printing quality of your final product.
It has a full range pressure adjustment knob to make the heating process more even.
It allows pressure to be more evenly distributed across the entire platen when it is closed.
Teflon coating ensures dry, flat, even heat necessary conditions for flawless iron on results.
- Temperature: 0-399F
- Time: 0-999 seconds
- Weight: 8 lbs
- Heating area: 15 x 12 inch
Pros
- Multi functional plates
- Swing away design
- Teflon coated
- Alarm system
Cons
- Not any
Bottom Line
If you are passionate about expanding your shirts and t-shirt designing business, invest in Super Deal Pro 5 in 1 Heat Press. Its Teflon-covered plates with pressure adjustment and digital settings enable you to embed desired designs on shirts and other materials with professional-like precision.
2) SmarketBuy Heat Press 12×15 Swing Away Design 5 in 1 Heat Transfer Machine:
This 5 in 1 heat press machine can be used for T-shirts, caps, ceramic plates, ceramic tiles, mugs, coasters, jigsaw puzzles, lettering, other misc. fabrics & materials.
It can transfer colorful pictures and characters of sublimating and dissolved printing ink onto ceramics, glasses, and textiles such as cotton, flax, chemical fiber, nylon, etc.
The heating plate is Teflon coated which will protect your vinyl, clothes, and iron while working.
The Teflon cover is heat resistance, easy to clean, and can make printing more steady.
Also, the surface is not sticky, can prevent burning up your shirt. It has innovative alloy guide for easy conversion between the cup, hat and plate hot pressing pad.
The heat press comes with non-slip rubber handle making it comfortable to handle.
Heat press machine adopts full 360 degree rotation featuring a swing away design. This allows the heating element to be moved safely aside, reducing the chances of unexpected accidents.
Full range pressure can be applied on to the surface through adjustment knob, which can be adjusted according to the thickness of the material.
The pressure adjustment knob controls the amount of force that will be used to push the transferred image into the fibers of the garment.
The lower platform is detachable; it can be easily exchanged to other presses.
Temperature can be set on digital control box, according to the demand.
It will vary depending on the vinyl or transfer paper used. The heat press stops heating when preset temperature is reached.
- Temperature range: 32-430 F
- Time range: 0-999
- Weight: 45 lbs
- Power input: 110V
- Wattage: 1000W
Pros
- Both temperature setting available
- Swing away design
- Multi functional presses
Cons
- Expensive
Bottom Line
SmarketBuy Heat Press 12×15” can easily be placed beside the best-value heat press for t-shirts due to its solid build and intuitive controls. It entails a 360-degree rotatory design with user-friendly controls and an ergonomic handle to let users create beautiful articles without hassle.
3) BAHOM 15x15in, 1400W Digital Heat Transfer:
This heat transfer machine comes fully assembled with a specific user manual, which indicates all the specifications, and teaches you how to adjust temperature and setting.
This heat press is ideal for shirts, but it can be used for other surfaces too. It comes with five different presses. The five presses include heat platen press, hat press, mug press and 2 sizes of plate presses.
It can easily transfer colorful pictures and characters to any material you choose. There are 2 sponges on the plate, keep them while pressing in order to make the heat even.
It arrives equipped with latest digital Led temperature and time display controller.
When the timer reaches 0s an audible sound will alarm, this will avoid over heating you projects. Once close to 450°F, it avoids heating and retains its temperature, avoiding mainly incidents like fire and burning.
It quickly preheats and provides even heat. It also comes with both Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures options.
Top mounted pressure knob allows easy access to adjust pressure according to the thickness of the material you are working on. Perfect for transferring numbers, letters, and images on your t-shirts.
It also has detachable silicone pad and cotton pad.
When your design has been printed you can swing away the heating element, this feature reduces the chances of accidental burning.
- Temp: 32 – 430 Fahrenheit degree
- Time: 0-999 seconds.
- Voltage: 110V
- Wattage: 1400 W
- Adjustable height: 13 1/2″ to 1″
Pros
- Both temperature settings
- 5 Multifunctional presses
- Swing-away design
- Large surface
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Pre heats quickly.
Bottom Line
Bahom 15×15” Heat Press is ideal for those craftsmen who love to show their creativity on different fabrics and surfaces. The machine features multiple presses, a swing-away style and the latest digital LED timer with an alarm to promise vibrant prints on any surface or material.
4) USCutter 15″x15″ Digital Heat Press Machine:
This heat press is a clam shell style heat machine. What’s nice about clamshell heat presses is that they can save room over the standard swing arm heat presses, and can be easier to manage depending on the set up of your workspace.
It is very easy to operate, arrives fully assembled and ready for use right out of the box. For a starter bundle, they send 5 Vinyl sheets along with the machine.
The versatility of this heat press can be judged by the fact that it can apply designs to any flat surface, including fabric, metal, wood, ceramic, glass, and more.
What makes this heat press ideal for shirts is its large surface area. It provides 15″x15″ surface area which is more than enough for printing a shirt.
It has a digital LCD display for time and temperature, where you can set the desired time and temperature according to your material.
When the preset time is up, the machine will make a chime, indicating the printing process is done.
The long arm handle with ergonomic foam grip provides comfort when dealing with production runs. It is a heavy duty machine with a rigid steel frame which is built to last long.
- Power 1400W
- Printing Area 15″ x 15″
- Time Control 0-999sec
- Voltage 110 Volt
- Style Clamshell
- Maximum Heat 399° F
Pros
- Large surface area
- 1 year warranty
- Steel frame
Cons
- No Teflon sheet built in
- Only Fahrenheit setting
Bottom Line
If you are relatively newer to the sublimation and printing arena, consider purchasing USCutter 15×15” Heat Press. Its heavy-duty construction sports a large surface area and an easy-to-operate mechanism, thereby making it undoubtedly the best digital heat press for beginners and small business owners.
5) ePhoto New Digital 15″ x 15″ T-Shirt Heat Transfer:
This heat press is a low cost model with a clamshell styled body that makes it very convenient to print shirts, very simply.
It has an incredibly sleek design and requires little workspace. The small body also makes it conveniently portable.
This machine comes fully assembled and ready to be used. Operating it requires a single motion. Place the material on the lower plate and lower and lock the upper plate that is all. Then just let the machine do the rest.
The heat press uses heavy pressure and high heat to transfer the design on to the project permanently. The pressure it applies is adjustable; you can easily change it to your own liking.
This heat press machine for shirts is fully equipped with latest digital temperature and time display controller.
LCD displays show the temperature and time, allowing precise control and programming for consistent results.
The heating element is covered with Teflon, the non-stick coating avoids transfer shimmer and doesn’t need a separate Teflon layer.
This model can be used for various flat surfaces but the 15″ x 15″ surface area makes it ideal for printing designs on shirts.
- Weight: 50 lbs
- Voltage 110V
- Power: 1400W
- Temperature: 0- 500°F
- Time: 0-999 second
Pros
- Teflon coated heating element
- Ideal for shirts
- Low cost
- Portable
- Large surface area
Cons
- Small scale projects
Bottom Line
ePhoto New Digital 15×15 Heat Press has a sleek build to make it space-efficient for DIYers and domestic users. Although it costs less, the flawless performance can beat some expensive rivalling machines. Its clamshell design with non-stick Teflon plates and LCD control make it the best low-costing heat press for shirts and t-shirts.
6) ZENY Upgraded Professional Digital T-shirt Heat Press Machine:
This heat press is very sturdy and features a modern design. If you are looking for something to ramp up your t-shirt sales, then this 5 in 1 t-shirt machine will be the right choice for you.
The overall durability of the heat press is more than satisfactory. The aluminum build will last. Also, do take note that the heating plate design is much more versatile than you think.
Moreover, the clever design allows it to properly sear the logo on a shirt with precise detail.
It features a full 360 degrees rotation of a swing away design, allowing the heating element to be removed safely aside once the task is done.
The adjustability of this press is way beyond satisfactory. The heating platform can manage a height up to 17-inches, which is nice.
The compact nature of the press also contributes in this case, making it a much more desirable heat press than some of the existing options out there.
It has a full range pressure adjustment knob, which can help adjust the pressure according to the thickness of the material.
Also, you are getting an indicator LED and temperature control functionality to help you along the way. The timer is accurate enough to give you proper signals to help you during the production process.
The alarm system is fairly loud and offers an audible warning tone once the design implementation is done.
- Power: 110v
- Wattage: 1200W
- Temperature: 32 – 399 °F (0 – 203 °C)
- Timer control: 0 – 999 seconds
Pros
- Swing away design
- Large surface
- Height adjustability
- Temperature control and indicator
- Teflon covered work surface
Cons
- Requires more space than clamshell
- Not suitable for beginners
Bottom Line
If you want to beat your rival t-shirt business owners, Zeny 12×15 Heat Press Machine is up for the challenge. This all-in-one digital press has advanced features to embed designs and characters on versatile fabrics and items. The adjustable heating platform further adds to its appeal.
7) F2C 5 in 1 Professional Swing-Away Rotation Heat Press Machine:
The F2C Pro 5-in-1 Swing-heat press comes with a lot of neat and handy features. It has a pretty sturdy design. Apart from the sturdy design, the press isn’t as hefty as you may imagine.
It’s easily transportable. For this reason, those who are new in the shirt printing business will find it pretty helpful!
Having a swing-away design adds a lot to the overall usability that this heat press offers. The 360 degree rotation makes it convenient for you to adjust every angle at ease to bring a user-friendly operation.
Also, the 12×15-inch platen comes with Teflon coating to offer better flexibility while printing something on your t-shirt.
The adjustable pressure knob paired with the extra support structure will certainly allow an even spread of the vinyl or ink. The heating platen warms up pretty quickly, offering even heating.
It has a detachable aluminum cradle which along with an adjustable multi-spring balancer makes this heat press a real treat. The built-in structural support helps to maintain flatness.
It has full temperature control and a decent sounding alarm system built-in.
The temperature meter offers good performance. As you have an alarm system, it is pretty easy to keep track of the work you are doing.
- Power: 110V
- Wattage: 1200w
- Temperature range: 32 – 430 (0 – 250 centigrade)
- Timer control: 0 – 999 seconds
Pros
- 1 year warranty
- Swing away design
- Portable
- Detachable aluminum cradle
- Easy to operate
- Affordable
Cons
- Not any
Bottom Line
F2C Pro 5 in 1 Swing-Away Heat Press retains the quality and performance of the brand’s products. This all-in-one aluminium machine houses user-friendly heat and pressure settings to be utilized for a variety of handcraft and custom items.
8) VEVOR 15x15inch 8 in 1 Digital Multifunctional Heat Presser:
This 8-in-1 digital heat press from Vevor has some really nice features to set it apart from some of the existing market competitors.
This 8 in 1 heat press machine can not only be used for T-shirts but also for caps, ceramic plates, ceramic tiles, mugs, coasters, mouse pads, jigsaw puzzles, lettering, other misc, fabrics & materials.
The design of the machine is very nice and luxurious.
The heat press takes very small room. The 15″ x 15″ Teflon coated heat platen makes it ideal for shirt. It also has a full range of heating coils to allow for consistency throughout its surface.
It has a 360 degree, full rotation swing arm. This feature alone adds some additional bit of safety and convenience, as chances of accidental errors will come to a minimum.
Also, you will obviously get better results from a rotating platform rather than a stationary one.
It has a LED indicator for time and temperature, which is accurate enough to provide adequate results on moment’s notice.
Then comes its pressure adjustment knob, which is also precise and offers a fair bit of usability.
It also gives you the freedom to change the pressure according to your requirement. It also has a built in safety fuse, which adds to the good features.
- Timer Control: 0-999 seconds
- Power: 1050W
- Voltage: 110V
- Weight: 57 lbs
- Temperature range: 0 – 480ºF (0 – 250ºC)
Pros
- Teflon coated
- Multi functional
- Ideal for t-shirts
- Swing away design
Cons
- Cord not insulated enough
- Instructions on manual not clear enough
Bottom Line
If you are planning to ramp up the production of your printing projects, Vevor 15×15” Digital Heat Presser is the way to do it. Its 8-in-1 construction, LED time and temperature indicators, pressure modification and a built-in safety fuse let users create miscellaneous heat press articles with remarkable precision.
9) Fancierstudio Digital 15 x 15 T-Shirt Heat Press:
This is a clamshell styled heat press that arrives fully assembled to save you from the frustration.
Preassembly is a huge load off and a major time saver. Clamshell design also makes it very space friendly.
The unit features large surface area which makes the operation of printing shirt, very convenient.
It is an industrial strength machine so you already know that it is durable and can hold up to high volumes of printing.
This model also comes with a digital timer and digital temperature controls in order to ensure consistent transfers onto your products and maximum levels on control for different materials.
It also comes with electronic time and temperature control which allows a precise time set up.
The heat platen is Teflon coated which will prevent scorching and burning of the shirt. To glue down the press, the silicon rubber base is used in it.
The magnetic draw is another plus, as it allows you greater control over the exposure of your product to heat as it will automatically open.
Practically every feature on this machine is customizable, from the digital temperature to the pressure applied to a variation of heat resistant materials you can control your printing process from start to finish.
- Weight: 51 lbs
- Voltage: 110 V
- Power: 1800 watts
- Temperature Range: 0-699 degrees Fahrenheit
- Time Range: 0-999 seconds
Pros
- Space saving design
- Compact in size
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Large platens
Cons
- Takes longer to heat up
Bottom Line
Professionals and enthusiastic crafters regard Fancierstudio 15×15-inch Rhinestone Sublimation Heat Press as the best machine for the money. Its ready-to-use clamshell design with numerous customizable features makes it ideal for versatile projects.
10) SUNCOO 360 Degree Swing Away 12×15 Heat Transfer Machine:
The digital heat press machine possesses all of the digital features of the sophisticated control system that make a heat press ideal for printing shirts. It is comparatively quite easy to install and operate.
It utilizes easy and quick change attachments for heat transferring images onto a surprisingly wide variety of material, e.g. coated tiles, mouse pads, T-shirts, caps, table mats, sublimation slippers etc.
This machine is extremely sturdy and resistant, it is made to last longer. It also performs well perfectly for promoting your business.
This digital heat press is equipped with really good features, one of those being a built in LED screen for temperature and a timer. These two will help in ensuring that you never use heating for more time than necessary.
The temperature and time can be pre set before you put your t-shirt on the platen, then shut the machine and let it do the rest.
A special layer of Teflon paint is applied to the heating plate.
Teflon paint and high temperature resistant foamed silicone will protect your clothes from damage when the machine is heated.
Another plus point is the swing away design that it exhibits.
Swing away heat press designs are ideal due to the fact that the heating elements can be moved safely. That reduces the chances of unexpected accidents.
- Voltage: 110 V
- Power: 900 W
- Heat pad: 12×15 inches
- Weight: 8 lbs
- Temperature: 33 – 482 °F
- Time: 0 – 300 seconds+
Pros
- Warms up quickly
- Digital temperature and timer
- Affordable
- Swing away design
- Teflon coated
Cons
- Only Fahrenheit setting
Bottom Line
If you want a multifunctioning sophisticated heat press machine at an affordable price, I recommend Suncoo Swing-Away 12×15” Heat Transfer Machine. The sturdy machine is wear-and-tear-resistant and contains several attachments and adjustments to satisfy your creative thirst.
Buyer’s Guide: Buying Best Heat Press for Shirts 2023
It is not advisable to buy any heat press machine that you like in the market. You have to check and weigh your options thoroughly to be sure that your final choice will suit your printing needs.
Before purchasing a heat press machine, there are certain factors which you should look out for in order to pick the best.
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Price
This is a very important factor you should consider before you embark on your buying spree. Consider your budget and go for the machine that is affordable for you.
There are many affordable heat press machines in the market that perform wonderfully. A really budget friendly heat press for shirts is BAHOM 15×15 Heat Press. It has all the good qualities in a really good price.
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Quality
If you want to invest your money, there is no doubt that you will want it to be a long lasting asset. This is why you should carefully check the quality of the heat press you are about to buy.
The weight is one of the secrets of a high-quality heat press. Due to the fact that they are usually designed with heavy materials, weigh the machine you want to buy with your hands. If it is heavy, go for it but if it is light, run away.
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The heat press size
The heat transfer machine comes in different sizes of 15 x 15 or 16 x 20 even 9 x 12 inches respectively. So it is advisable to purchase the size that will best suit your printing requirements.
You should also consider your available space for the storing the machine.
It is imperative that you check the heating element of any heat transfer press you want to buy. You should check how well the heat platen distributes heat and how consistent it is.
Since you are mainly concerned with printing designs on shirts/t-shirts only, heat press machines in sizes 9×12”, 10×12” and 15×15” are ideal. If you want to create badges, logos or custom shirts for children, a size 9×9-inch is also sufficient.
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Warranty
It is important to purchase a heat press that comes with a warranty. Warranty shows that the company trusts their product. Also it gives back up of sort; if something gets broken the warranty will cover it.
The USCutter 15×15 comes with 1 year warranty.
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Digital timer
This is also an important feature to look out for in the heat press machine you are purchasing.
It helps to have a heat press that you can regulate and control. Being in control of the timer will prevent your shirts from burning up.
So if you don’t want burnt T-shirts because of over exposure to heat, take this factor seriously.
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Pressure knobs
What can really be a nuisance is spending so much money on a heat press and then finding out it does not have automatic pressure setting and you need to apply the pressure manually.
When buying a heat press machine, make sure that it has automatic pressure and not the type that has poor pressure knobs.
You should purchase a machine that is designed with adjustable pressure knobs to get an efficient end result. It will also protect your back from stress and ache which is the resultant effect of continuous pressure.
Types of Heat Press Machines
Selection of the best heat press machine for your needs becomes time-consuming if you are unaware of the types of sublimation printing machines available on the market. Therefore, before you move to the critical factors, it is imperative to mention the three types of heat press machines circulating in the market. These are:
a). Clamshell Design
It is the most common and popular form of heat press machine. A clamshell heat press is space-efficient, easy to install and the least pretentious of all types. That is why it is suitable for beginners and small businesses. Its use can be disastrous if you aren’t careful during operation.
Due to uneven pressure distribution and lack of fancy features, these aren’t popular among established business owners and passionate crafters.
b). Swing-Away Design
Swing-Away heat press machines are also ideal for beginners and less-experienced users due to improved safety functions. However, they are costlier and more space-consuming than their clamshell competitors. Fortunately, the equal pressure distribution between the metal plates due to the swing-away structure saves time and money.
These machines are ideal for businesses and professionals who produce orders in bulk.
c). Drawer Type Heat Presses
This type of heat press machine has a huge fanbase in the online community. Its enhanced safety makes it ideal for even children. Like a drawer, you have to pull out the lower plate to place the article you want to transfer the print on. Afterwards, push it back inside. Just like swing-away machines, these are also expensive and require more space.
Operation Forms
Like heat press types, the operation of these machines also comes in three forms: manual, semi-auto and fully automatic.
Fully Automatic Machines are the most expensive because of their superior safety and performance. Opt for a fully automatic operating heat press only when you are a large-scale business owner or have no budget restraints.
Manual Heat Presses are the most widely loved among users because of their budget-friendly prices. However, you have to do all the settings and lifting manually. It leaves more room for errors and disasters if you are inexperienced or not vigilant.
Semi-Auto Heat Press Machines fall between the above two extremes. Their semi-automatic operations take some of the weight off your shoulders to let you pay more attention to the designs you plan to embed. These are pricier than manual machines and cheaper than fully automatic ones, making them ideal for enthusiasts and small-scale businesses.
FAQs
Q. What is the best multifunctioning heat press machine?
Our thorough reviews above indicate that many models of heat press machines come with additional presses and accessories to help you embed images on varying surfaces and materials, such as tote bags, hats, cushion covers, mugs and ceramics. If you ask me, the best multifunctioning heat press machines are Super Deal Pro 5-in-1 Heat Press, Mophorn 5-in-1 Heat Press and Vevor 8-in-1 15×15” Digital Heat Press.
Q. What is the best budget heat press machine for beginners?
If you are just stepping into the heat press designing game, the following units will prove beneficial, both performance and money-wise.
- F2C Pro Heat Press Machine
- Smarket Buy Swing-Away Heat Press Machine
- Vevor 12×15 Swing-Away Heat Transfer Machine
Q. What brand of heat press machine is the best of all?
My top five favourite heat press machines among the bulk are:
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- Fancierstudio Digital Heat Press 15×15-inches
- F2C Pro Heat Press Machine
- PowerPress Industrial Heat Press
- Super Deal Pro 5-in-1 Heat Press
- Seeutek Heat Press Machine
Conclusion:
Heat Presses are the hype these days because they are a very easy way to make money.
They are easy to operate, do not cost much and give long lasting results which is ideal for business.
To prevent you from falling for the wrongly advertised heat press machine, that is not suitable for your operation, we have made a buyer’s guide.
Go through the guide before spending your good money and then decide which one is ideal for you.
I’m Henry Collins and living my happy life. I’m a professional businessman and I own and run 6 Heat Pressing Services stores where I provide my clients with custom Designs on hats, mugs, T-Shirts and a lot more using Heat Press Machine. Been using a heat press for the last 4 years and people love my work. As I’ve got enough information on Heat Press I decided to make a blog on it and share my knowledge with the world. I hope, the world will appreciate it.