Getting Started with Heat Presses

The basic principle of a heat press is surprisingly simple: heat, pressure, and time. These three elements are key to perfectly transferring your design to fabric. But there are a few important nuances that can make the difference between success and failure. In this article, we’ll explain step-by-step how to get the most out of your heat press, so you can get started quickly and professionally.

Installing your transfer press

HTP123 Basic, HT123 Pro, and DTF Station Prisma Auto Heat Press
For transport, the controller is packaged separately with the machine. It must be assembled before using the press.
Proceed as follows:
Place the controller between the frame’s support arms.
Secure the controller with the four screws provided.
Attach the cable to the controller. It only fits onto the controller one way. Tighten the locking ring.
Connect the power cable to the controller.
The press is now ready for use.
HTP256+
For transport, the press arm and the crank handle for adjusting the pressure are packaged separately with the machine. They must be assembled before using the press.
Assembling the Press Arm
Loosen the lock nuts on the mechanism used to secure the press arm.
Remove the bolts from the mechanism with the supplied Allen key.
Install the press arm into the mechanism and tighten it by retightening the bolts you just removed.
Tighten them firmly.
Reattach the lock nuts to the bolts. Tighten them firmly.
Installing the Crank
Remove the Allen bolt from the crank mechanism where the crank will be installed.
Place the crank onto the mechanism.
Return the Allen bolt through the hole in the crank and tighten it firmly to secure the crank.
Connect the power cord to the heat press.
The press is now ready for use.

Points of interest

Safety
An important aspect of using a professional heat press.
Here are some important safety precautions that everyone who uses a heat press should consider.
Power Supply
A heat press has a relatively high peak power, which means it consumes a relatively large amount of power when heating up and maintaining the desired temperature.
This can cause problems with your power supply if other electrical equipment is connected to the same circuit. It is recommended that you use a separate circuit for the heat press.
Make sure that the combined wattage of the equipment you use on the same circuit does not exceed the total capacity of that circuit. The maximum power consumption is always indicated on the heat press.
Extension Cords
Preferably avoid using extension cords; connect the heat press directly to the electrical outlet. Using extension cords can cause overheating of wires or plugs and can even cause your heat press to malfunction due to excessive resistance in the power supply. If you have no choice but to use them, make sure you use grounded cords certified for your heat press’s power consumption to ensure the extension cord doesn’t overheat.
The extension cord’s certification should be printed on the cord. If it isn’t, don’t use it. Never use an extension cord on a reel, as a partially coiled cord can become so hot that it poses a fire hazard!
Grounded Outlet
Always use a grounded outlet. This significantly reduces the risk of electric shock in the event of a short circuit.
Wiring
Make sure the power cord never comes into contact with the heat plate of the press.
The heat plate’s temperature can melt a cord and potentially cause a short circuit.

A print next to buttons and zippers

Printing next to zippers and buttons (for example, on a polo shirt) can be tricky.
You don’t want to press the buttons or zipper directly under the heat press, as the metal can damage your heat plate and plastic zippers and buttons can melt.
You can solve this in the same way as preventing a print shadow, as described above. With a replaceable backing plate or an Application Support Kit from TheMagicTouch, you can ensure that the buttons and zippers are not pressed along with the heat press, but lie just next to the printing area.

Pressure settings

Setting the pressure is important for the final result.
With a manual heat press, the pressure cannot be specified in bar. To help you set the correct pressure, below you’ll find all the information you need on how to set the pressure and what to look out for.
HTP123 Basic, HT123 Pro, and DTF Station Prisma Auto Heat Press
The pressure is adjusted using the dial above the press plate.
At high pressure, a clear, substantial resistance is felt when closing the heat press.
Turn clockwise to increase the pressure and counterclockwise to decrease it.
The heat press should always be able to be closed and opened by anyone with a reasonable amount of force.
Never adjust the pressure during the heat press.
Caution: Setting the pressure too high can damage the heat press.
HTP256+
The pressure is adjusted using the crank on the back of the heat press.
Turn clockwise to decrease the pressure and counterclockwise to increase it. If you lower the press plate onto the base plate with the lever, but don’t fully press it down, you can read the pressure by the angle of the lever.
The higher the pressure, the greater the angle of the lever relative to the heat plate. (See image)
At a 45° angle, the HTP256+ already delivers high pressure. Therefore, there’s no point in increasing the pressure further.
Caution: Setting the pressure too high can damage the press.