What to Consider When Choosing The Right Heat Press
The heat press you choose can make or break your business. Choose the right one and you'll marvel at the seamless way it increases your profit margin while delivering top-quality merchandise. The wrong one though, could mean lots of downtime, dissatisfied customers and frustration at the money you've spent on something that doesn't perform well. Consider the following to make the right choice:
1. Brand
When it comes to purchasing a heat press, it's always best to stick with a brand name that is known in the business. Not only will you be able to find out which brands are the most trusted, you'll have the peace of mind that comes with a warranty. Brands such as Hotronix, Geo-Knight and Hix have been around for years so you know they'll be there to back up their products.
2. Size
When it comes to size, there are two aspects that you should keep in mind. The first has to do with versatility. A heat press that is larger -- for example, one that is 16" x 20" -- is ideal for pressing multiple items, such as mousepads, all at once. This size heat press can also handle large t-shirts and oversized designs.
The second thing you need to consider when it comes to size is portability. The larger the heat press, the heavier and more cumbersome it is to transport. If you are planning to become mobile with your heat press, the 16" x 20" size mentioned above is very heavy and is most ideal if you are going to remain stationary. The 15" x 15" size is more portable if you'll be traveling to events, fairs and shows.
3. Price
There is a wide variation in pricing for heat presses. Some basic models can be found for as little as $300 while specialty and professional heat presses can cost as much as $3,000 or more. You can expect to pay at least $500 to $1,000 for an intermediate-level heat press that is reliable and that offers a range of features.
One thing to remember is that the more affordable a heat press is the simpler its design will be. If you run a high-production business, you'll want a professional-grade heat press that provides options for automatically switching between different types of film while still retaining its precision and reliability, for example.
4. Type
Most popular heat presses fall into one of two types: swinger and clamshell. While both the swinger and the clamshell designs feature a stationary bottom, the clamshell's top opens at an angle. In contrast, the swinger's top opens slightly before swinging either to the right or the left of your work area. For this reason, a swinger heat press will take up about twice as much space as a clamshell. The clamshell design is a simpler operation and it costs less.
It's important to think ahead when you're choosing the right heat press. Doing so can prevent you having to upgrade within a short time because you didn't anticipate the direction your heat pressing business would go in.