The Best Equipment for Printing Heat Transfers
So you want to start heat printing? You've come to the right place. Stahls' UK is the UK home of heat printing and we have everything you need to become a successful printer.
Heat printing, also known as heat transfer printing or thermal printing, is a process used to transfer designs, images, or text onto various surfaces, typically fabrics like t-shirts, hats, or other apparel. The process involves applying heat and pressure to a heat-sensitive adhesive material, which then adheres to the surface of the item being printed.
What do you need to successfully print transfers?
1. A Reliable Heat Press.
This is your biggest but most important investment. A good heat press is the key to most heat printing businesses.
Hotronix is considered one of the most reliable brands in the heat press industry for several reasons:
- Innovative Technology: Hotronix heat presses incorporate advanced technology, such as digital time, temperature, and pressure controls, which ensure consistent and accurate application.
- Features like Auto-Open and Threadability™ also make the presses more user-friendly and efficient, reducing the likelihood of errors.
- Hotronix machines are built with high-quality materials and components, making them durable and long-lasting.
- Precise Pressure Adjustment. This uniform pressure control is crucial for achieving high-quality prints, especially on various materials and thicknesses.
- Hotronix offers comprehensive customer support and a strong warranty on their products. Their technical support team is known for being responsive and knowledgeable, helping users troubleshoot issues quickly. The warranty coverage also gives users confidence in their investment.
- Consistent Performance: Users of Hotronix machines often report that the presses maintain consistent heat and pressure over time, which is essential for producing high-quality, repeatable results.
2. Transfer Printing Accessories
First up is Release Paper.
This accessory is not only low cost but it lasts a long time too. You can use the same piece of release paper over and over again and most packs contain 30-50 pieces. Put this between your heat press and your transfer while fusing for an added layer of protection. It also stops cold peel transfers peeling when your press lifts.
Heat Tape
If you're working with a tricky placement such as shoes, caps or sleeves, heat tape will become your best friend.
Again, an extremely low-cost investment and a single roll will last you a long time.
Simply cut a few pieces ready to use in printing, tack the edges of your transfer to your garment and peel off after the fuse.
Top Tip: Use a tape dispenser for a hands-free hack.
Scissors
A good pair of sharp scissors will go a long way in making your print process seamless.
Again, if working with a tricky print space you may need to cut off some blank space on your transfer carrier.
Or if you're working with gang sheets, you may need to cut multiple designs out of each sheet.
Print Perfect Pads
If you're just getting started and you don't want to invest in the range of Hotronix Interchangeable Platens just yet, Print Perfect Pads are a great low-cost way to isolate your print area.
Available in 3 sizes, they can also be cut down to size to fit those unique and tricky print spaces.
3. Heat Transfers
Your final commitment as a heat printer should be to a good-quality heat transfer manufacturer such as Stahls.
Stahls' custom heat transfers are guaranteed to last over 75+ washes when applied with the correct time, temperature and pressure so you can rest easy knowing that your clients will be more than happy with the quality of heat transfer application they receive from you.
Choose from 1-5 Colour Screen Printed heat transfers, Low temperature full colour heat transfers and full colour DTF heat transfers with a min order of just 1.
