Using a heat press machine can be a little tricky. It is important to know some tips and tricks to make best out of your machine.

Even if you've been heating up year after year, I'm sure you'll find something on the list to help you. And if you have any tips and tricks that we miss, be sure to add them in the comments section below! Here are some tips to help you deal with traditional swing away and clamshell heat press machines.

1. Press wedding joke hit

If you heat the base of the heat press, you can place the HTV on a warm plate. The heat loosens the adhesive and allows you to remove excess vinyl more easily. If you don't have a swing-away styling machine like the one in the video, you can still use a clamshell. Just hold the vinyl for 5 seconds and then pull it out of the weed.

2. Pre-press your T-shirt

Heat press pre-press is essential for perfect heat transfer press. This simply means pressing a garment before applying heat transfer.

It prims fabric for moisture and wrinkle removal and transfer. If you are in humid weather, you only need to hold the press off for 2 or 3 seconds or sometimes a little longer. For more information, see these 6 reasons why your t-shirt should be preheated.

3. Direct transfer placement

There are several strategies to get a straight and attentive transformation of your wardrobe. The most basic way is to fold your t-shirt in two and draw a line so that it shows you the midpoint. You can watch the video below to see how Hit Press Pro Matt goes about it!

4. Use Teflon sheets

The best heat press tips and techniques Teflon sheet is the number one heat press accessory that is placed between the top plate of the T-shirt / transfer and the heat press. It protects everything: T-shirts, transfers and plates!

Most heat presses actually come with a free Teflon sheet, but if you don't, it's a good idea to order some. Alternatives to Teflon sheets can be parchment or baking paper or tea towels.

6. Mirror reminder

If you want to transfer heat to HTV, you need to remember to mirror your design. This design is especially important to have words!

One way to remember is to write 'mirror' a few times on your cutting mat. Then, when you load the vinyl, you'll see and remember!

7. Heat plate cold stain

Best Heat Press Tips and Strategies for Cold Spot Checking Once or twice a year, it's best to check the heat-health of your heat press.

Using a laser temperature gun you can see if the plate has reached the right temperature evenly throughout the plate. It is important that the press is evenly heated so that the transfer is good!

8. HTV application instructions

Each vinyl manufacturer has its own application guide - check out this post on Impressed HTV for example. They include optimal timing, temperature and pressure.

The manufacturer examines and tests them and determines the optimal settings. If you follow the instructions and you finish with peeling vinyl, you need to contact the manufacturer.

8. Use heat tape

Heat tape Heat resistant tape or 'heat tape' is another common heat press accessory for making heat press machines. If you don't already know what it is, you can probably guess! Heat tape can be used to attach the transfer. This is easiest when printing Ecstasy on a solid layer.

9. Heat press pillow

Heat Press Tips and Tricks Teflon Pillow Use a heat press pillow when you are pressing around buttons, pockets and seams. The raised parts on the garment create uneven pressure which can negatively affect the transfer. Teflon-covered pillows also help reduce stress.

10. Keep the Cold Pill HTV

If you have a cold shell transfer, but can't wait for Grand Reveal, take out the top of the press and place it on a cold surface. It could be a cool table or a wall. I've even seen people put it in the chest freezer for a minute.

11. Heat press grease

It is recommended that you grease your heat-press once a year. The metal will slide smoothly over the metal area but will dry out over time. You can use products like white lithium grease or high heat, high pressure lubricant.

12. A Dedicated Circuit

To avoid overload circuits and blow fuses, do not use your heat press on the same circuit as other high voltage equipment. It is ideal to use a dedicated circuit but not always possible. You can use low voltage equipment at the same time, but try to keep the number of electrical devices low when using your machine.

13. Avoid using extension cords

It is important to avoid the use of extension chords in your heat press machine. If you have to use one, which is frequent, make sure the press and cord amperage are equal to avoid overheating. You may want to check with the Hit Press manufacturer for more details if you are not sure if you need an amp-rated cord.

14. Clean your heat press

Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your Heat Press Using off-iron cleaner heat press plates can get dirty and it is best to clean them from time to time. If you accidentally melt vinyl on a hot plate, you must give it a good clean. Read more our another blog Best T-Shirt printing Machine

15. Align HTV

You can use the career sheet as a guide to place your designs perfectly on a garment. Make a weed box around your design and then take out any extra vinyl weeds. After that, cut around your weed box.

Fold your shirt in half and press it so that you have a center line. Then, fold your career sheet in half and line up in both lines so that your design is perfectly centered on the garment.

I like to use weed boxes of the same size around multiple levels in a design so that every element of my design fits perfectly. This way I can easily find out where each level should be located using the carrier sheet.