FAQ

Answers to Hotronix heat presses, platens, heat printing and heat transfer commonly asked questions

What is the most important thing to look for in a heat press?

The most important thing to look for in a heat press is its ability to provide consistently even temperatures across the platen. One of the most frequent causes of misapplied transfers is cold spots in the platen. Cold spots occur when there is not enough heating element used in the manufacturing of the platen, or if there is a short or disconnect in the heating element within the platen.

How important is accurate heat?

In addition to providing even heat, a heat press must be designed to accurately control the temperature. When you apply transfers, proper application temperature is essential to the success of the finished garment. If you apply a transfer with too little heat, the adhesives needed to hold the graphic to the garment may not be activated. If you apply a transfer with too much heat, the adhesives may be pushed out beyond the edges of the image and cause an undesired outline or smearing. Excessive heat can also cause “strike-through”, which reduces the opacity of a graphic.

How can I make sure my press has even pressure?

The key to even pressure is the way the upper platen is engineered. A centralized pressure adjustment, coupled with a flotational heat platen ensures a “no-pinch” application result regardless of the thickness of the application substrate. One way to test for even pressure on a press is to put four squares of paper, one in each corner, and close the press. Try to pull out the papers. If one paper comes out easier than the others, it is possible that your platen is warped and not providing even pressure across the platen.

What style is better? Clam, Swinger or Draw Press?

You want to make sure that you can easily slide garments on and off your heat press without burning your arms and hands and without damaging the garments on screws or greasy bolts. Some clam machines, such as the Phoenix™ or the Hotronix® Clam have a wide 65 degree opening, which is 10% wider than most other clam-style presses available today. This allows for safer, easier positioning of the garment on the lower platen, as well as safer positioning of transfers and other graphics. A Swinger or Draw press, available from Hotronix® make it extremely easy to layout garments. A Swinger will take up more counter space than a Draw press, so it depends on your available work space and personal preference.

How much space do I need for a heat press?

When choosing a press, examine your workspace first. For a clamshell model or draw press, you will need at least two feet of counter space, if you are considering a swing-away model, at least three feet. It is a good idea to have room next to the press to layout the garment and to place finished garments. You will also want to take the weight of the press into consideration, especially if you plan to move it around often.

Why are some presses hard to open?

Before buying a press, make sure it is easy to open and close. This depends on the design of the press. Even if you apply just one transfer a day, working with a press that is difficult to open and close is no fun. The more transfers you apply, the more important this feature becomes. Hotronix® and Phoenix™ presses are engineered with precision machined pivot assemblies to ensure no jerking or jarring when you open the press. It’s the smoothest press you’ll ever operate. If you’ve operated a heat press before that “pops” or “jumps” when you open it, you’ll really appreciate the smooth operation of all Hotronix® presses.

Do I need a digital readout?

Yes. Once you determine a time and temperature that works for the transfers and graphics you apply most often, you want to make sure that you are able to replicate the settings exactly, every time you print. If you’re using a manual or bell timer, and a dial thermostat, this is not always possible. There is always margin for error with manual timers and temperature dials. A digital readout lets you control both time and temperature with digital precision. You can set the temperature and time to your desired settings time and time again, with the same, consistent results.

Do I need a different press if I’m printing hundreds of shirts per day?

If you are printing long production runs, you need a press that will maintain consistent heat and accurate temperatures. Some machines don’t maintain platen temperature, due to a thin platen that loses heat, poor insulation, or some other design flaw. You need a press with a thick platen that retains heat transfer after transfer, and the digital readout accurately reflects the platen temperature, so you can be confident that you’ll get consistent results, time after time. Operator fatigue can be kept to a minimum by choosing a press that is easy to open and close. You will want to consider an automatic opening press, such as the Hotronix® clam, which doesn’t need an air compressor, or a semi-automatic Hotronix® Swinger, which also opens automatically but requires an air compressor.

Can’t I just buy a cheap heat press to see if I’m going to use it?

While a “cheap” or hobby heat press may be acceptable for personal use, it is recommended that you use a professional grade heat press if you are selling the finished garment or product.

What Heat Press do you recommend and why?

Heat presses manufactured by Stahls’ Hotronix® are recommended because of their accuracy, reliability, and durability.

How large of a heat press will I need?

This depends on the type of items you are planning to personalize with heat print graphics. For instance, if you are going to print team jerseys for football and hockey, you will need a press that is at least 16″ x 20″. If you are only doing t-shirts, you are probably fine with a 16″ x 16″ press or smaller. However, it’s easier to line things up on a bigger press – even if you’re only doing 8.5″x11″ prints the bigger presses are still nice for this. For some people though, it’s hard to justify the expense just for laying things out a little easier if you’re buying a new press and you aren’t planning on doing large jerseys or jackets. Keep in mind that if you plan to do this type of printing in the future, you might want to consider the largest press possible that you can afford and that you can fit in your work space.

What type of maintenance is there on my heat press?

Hotronix® heat presses are maintenance free. We have Teflon® coated upper platens, which many machines don’t feature, which means they are easy to wipe clean if for some reason graphics are applied incorrectly, or without a cover sheet.

How do I know what pressure I am printing at?

Most manual machines will not give you a pressure reading. Only the Hotronix® line comes equipped with a Pressure Read Out for Manual & Semi-Auto machines.

How do I clean the heat platen?

It is recommended that you use an abrasive free mechanics hand soap with a cloth to clean the heat platen.

What power supply do I need to service my new machine?

A dedicated 20-amp outlet is recommended for all machines.

How do I set the date and time on my Hotronix®?

Refer to Operator’s Manual that came with your machine, or click on the heat press you have on the “Heat Press Manuals” page.