by Bruce Weiandt, GroupeSTAHL Sales Alliance representing DC,DE,MD,NC,VA,WV
Are you new to the garment decoration industry? Have you been out of the loop for a few years? Either way, the industry has grown so much in the past five years; it’s good to start from scratch so you have all of the latest information.
In our industry, the first thing you need is a heat press. With all the models and latest innovations, it can be confusing as to which one will fit your business the best.
Here are a few things to consider when buying a heat press:
- What size? If you know for sure that all you will be doing is transfers that will fit within a small area, you can get away with a 16 x16 or in some cases even a smaller heat press. Although, more often than not, you will find that a larger heat press (usually a 16 x 20) is the best investment. There are several things you can do to make your print area smaller but you can’t make it bigger. Accessories such as: Print Perfect Pads, Pillows and different sized platens will help when you need to print a small area.
- What is your estimated production? If you are expecting to do a lot of production, the Hotronix® Fusion is the way to go. This press allows you to stand upright the whole time you are operating it and keeps you away from the heat. It works as a swinger or a draw press, giving you options when different garments require it. If you expect to do very heavy production, say 100+ pieces a day, we offer air operated heat presses that make the job even easier.
- How much space do I have? If space is a large consideration, you will probably want to go with a Hotronix Auto Clam. The automatic release takes half of the work out of the equation and the clam design is great for saving space. Depending on the height of the operator and the table the press is on, one may have to do some bending in order to line up shirts and graphics.
- What is my budget? If you are on a budget, the MAXX® Press is a good option. These clam models do not have all the features that you will find in the Hotronix line but still contain all the basic elements that make up a quality heat press.
All of these presses will do a great job for you. It all boils down to which one suits you best.