Hotronix^® Auto Open Clam Heat Press

I’m on a tight budget, should I spend extra to get one of the Hotronix^® heat presses?

A heat press is the only investment needed to get started in the custom apparel printing business and the key to your success. We recommend getting the best heat press your budget allows.

I'm new to this process. What is threading?

Threading is a different way to place the shirt on the platen (dressing the platen). It means putting the bottom platen inside the shirt or hooded sweatshirt so that just one layer of fabric is on the press instead of laying the garment down flat so that both layers are on the press. This helps if you are doing garments that have seams on the opposite side, like a pocket or buttons. If placing a transfer on the back of a hooded sweatshirt it is better to “thread” the sweatshirt. This is so the pocket seams on the front of the sweatshirt are not interfering with the transfers. This is also done with applying to the back of pocket t-shirts, polos with buttons, etc.

How do I prevent a dark garment from slightly bleeding through numbers or light colors? Is there too much pressure?

You probably have too much pressure being applied to the transfer. It could also be too hot. If using the Goof Proof^® follow these suggestions one at a time for the solution:
- Decrease the temperature by 5 to 10 degrees.
- Decrease the pressure slightly.
- Decrease the time slightly.
- Press the transfers as a Polytrans (340 degrees for 10 seconds).

Should the heat press be locked down while removing moisture or can you just hold the press down?

The heat press does not need to be locked down, but applying pressure does help to remove wrinkles. As long as there is heat being applied to the garment the moisture will be removed.