If you’re planning on opening a small, vinyl t-shirt business or considering selling your own designs, you’re going to need to put aside that old iron and upgrade to a commercial heating press. These heat presses are great for completing large clothing orders in a timely fashion. Below, are some of the best machines on the market for under 300 dollars.
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Best Heat Presses Under $300
Here are our best heat transfer presses for under $300 reviews.
1. Fancierstudio Power Heat Press Digital Heat Press
This simple, powerful press is great for any home business owner. Considering its power and capabilities, this machine is still very portable.
- Reaches High temperatures for high-speed pressing
- Perfect for projects both small and large
- Sturdy, industrial design means this heat press is built to last
2. PowerPress Industrial-Quality Digital Sublimation Heat Press Machine
This machine comes complete with a unique feature that allows the machine to hold a stable temperature throughout the entire pressing process. Use the LCD screen to keep an eye on the temperature to make sure your projects come out perfect every time.
- Teflon coated heating plate replaces the need for a Teflon sheet or parchment paper
- Portable, compact design is great for the home or workshop
- Built-in timer and release stops pressing when complete
3. Cricut EasyPress 2
The Cricut Easy Press is geared toward hobbyists rather than businesses. Compact and portable, this heat press is great for making t-shirts for friends and family.
- Able to press a shirt in less than 60 seconds
- Digital temperature control panel
- Easy-to-use design makes this press great for beginners
4. RoyalPress Power Heat Press Industrial-Quality Heat Press
This press, with its clamshell design, is perfect for any home studio or business alike. Use this machine for all of your favourite heat transfer projects.
- Includes Teflon sheet for pressing
- Capable of reaching temperatures of 500 degrees F, for quick pressing
- Built-in timer and release stops pressing when complete
5. Fancierstudio Heat Press 9-by-12-Inch Heat Press Swing Away
This press, from Fancierstudio, comes complete with a built-in electronic timer and heat control for set-it-and-forget-it pressing.
- Great for both commercial and domestic settings
- Industrial pressing strength and even temperature
- Teflon sheet included
Heat Press for Under $300 Buyer’s Guide
Heat transfer presses are favoured by both commercial and small businesses alike. Chances are, if you’re reading this review, you are considering stepping up your t-shirt design game into the big leagues. There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting the right pressing machine to meet your needs and our buyer’s guide is here to help. Take a look below for some tips and key features to look out for when making your decision
Types of heat pressing machines
Although these machines look quite similar, there are two designs that stand out from the rest in terms of performance: the Clamshell and the Swing-away designs.
Clamshell Design
The Clamshell type is the most common and preferred type of heat pressing machine. Just as its name suggests, these machines open and close just like a clam. These machines can either be sold as manual or automatic and are a great option for those who don’t have much space.
Swing-away design
Swing-away machines require more room as the top plate, which is the heating element, swings away from the lower component where the application is laid. These machines work better with thick materials so keep your projects in mind when deciding which design type is best suited for you.
Size
Consider the types of jobs you will be working on. Will you be taking on mass orders or just a few, here and there? Are you a hobbyist or an entrepreneur?
Make sure that your desired machine can handle all shirt sizes; remember, some people are larger that others and you will want to accommodate them as well.
Energy efficient
Some of these machines can be costly to operate, especially when you own a business and they need to constantly be running. Make sure to think about this when making your purchase; go with a brand that takes pride in their product’s energy efficiency.
Warranty
Try and choose a machine that comes complete with a modest warranty. The last thing you want is your investment breaking down, mid orders, only to have to splash out an extra couple hundred dollars to find a replacement. Ask the manufacture what parts of the machine the warranty covers; don’t leave anything up to speculation.
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