Heat press: how to choose and use one
To apply textile transfers, you only need one piece of equipment: a heat press. But you still have to choose the right model and set it up correctly. Here is the method from Seripress, distributor of French-made SEFA presses.
Why a heat press?
A press applies a precise temperature, pressure and time all at once: that is what makes the transfer bond durably. A household iron provides neither even heat nor sufficient pressure.
A good press has two qualities: even temperature across the whole platen and uniform pressure.
5 questions to choose your press
- How often? Occasional, daily or intensive use.
- What run sizes? Small (50 to 100 pieces), medium (100 to 300), large (over 300).
- Which items? T-shirts and sweatshirts, thick garments (work jackets, puffer jackets), caps, shoes, rigid objects…
- What platen size? The larger the item, the larger the platen; some models accept interchangeable platens.
- What budget? There is no point investing in an oversized press: start from your actual needs.
Which SEFA press for which need?
| Your need | Press type | SEFA models |
|---|---|---|
| Small runs, regular use | Swing-away | ROTEX LITE V4 |
| Medium runs (flex, silkscreen transfers) | Swing-away, automatic head | ROTEX PRO V4 |
| Medium runs, effortless closing | Swing-away, pneumatic | ROTEX AIR LITE V3 |
| Large runs | Pneumatic double platen | DUPLEX LITE V3, DUPLEX PRO V3 |
| Large runs on thick garments | Double platen, membrane platen | DUPLEX AIR PRO V3 |
| Medium runs, rigid items (wood, aluminium, porcelain) | Clamshell | CLAM PRO V3 |
| Thick garments with seams, pockets, zips | Clamshell, inflatable membrane | AIR CLAM X V3 |
| Caps, logos, shoes, balls | Small format, removable kits | CLAM SPORT V3 |
All SEFA presses have a 40 × 50 cm platen (except the small-format CLAM SPORT), a touch screen and a temperature adjustable up to 220 °C (255 °C for the DUPLEX models). A positioning laser is available as an accessory. See all SEFA presses and accessories.
The membrane platen: as it inflates, the membrane follows the garment’s relief (thick seams, buttons, zips, pockets) so you can print right up to them.
Using your press step by step
- Switch on the press and set temperature, time and pressure according to the transfer’s application sheet (see the table below), adjusted to the material.
- Wait until the temperature is reached (a few minutes).
- Place the textile flat on the lower platen, then the transfer in the desired position.
- Press: lower the platen, or start the cycle on automatic and pneumatic models.
- Open at the end of the cycle and peel off the carrier, hot or cold depending on the technique.
On a double-platen press, you prepare the next piece on the second platen while the first one is being pressed: this is what saves time on large runs.
Indicative settings per technique
| Transfer | Temperature | Time | Peel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silkscreen (GreenLight, SeriLight, SeriOne) | 140 to 180 °C | see sheet | cold |
| Low temperature option | from 90 °C | see sheet | see sheet |
| Pantone and fluo Die-Cut | 150 to 170 °C | 15 to 20 s | see sheet |
| Phosphorescent and carbon Die-Cut | 150 to 170 °C | 10 to 15 s | carbon: hot |
| Metal and mirror Die-Cut | 140 °C | 15 s | see sheet |
| DTF | 160 °C | 15 s | hot |
These values are guidelines: the sheet supplied with each transfer prevails. If in doubt, test on a fabric offcut. See also our guides to DTF transfers and silkscreen transfers.
Need advice on choosing your press? Contact us