As the weather warms up, so do the opportunities to take your heat printing business outdoors. Whether you’re setting up at local festivals, school events, fairs, or sporting games, on-site heat printing lets you meet customers where they are, offer custom creations in real time, and turn a day’s work into profit and exposure. To make your on-site setup successful, you need the right equipment, a smart strategy, and a plan for fast, efficient production.
Here are our top tips for on-site heat printing success:
- Choosing the Right Heat Press
- Secure Proper Power
- Keep Inventory Low
- Apparel & Transfer Options
- Time Efficiency
- Knowing Your Audience
- Preparing For Sellouts
- Building Sales Through Community Involvement
1. Choose a Reliable, Compact Heat Press
When you’re heat printing onsite, your press is your powerhouse. You need one that heats consistently, recovers quickly, and won’t take up your whole booth. We recommend compact, professional-grade models like the Hotronix® A2Z™ Heat Press, or Hotronix® 360 IQ® Hat Press if you’re running a hat bar. Both of these presses are built for durability and long production days, ensuring you’ll be ready to tackle any event, no matter the size.
🔥 Limited-Time Offer: Get $50 off the A2Z™ Heat Press, the perfect starter press for onsite printing with a low footprint and serious performance. Learn more here.
2. Secure Proper Power
Most heat presses require a designated electrical circuit, not just any outlet will do. Work with event coordinators in advance to ensure access to the correct electrical output. Avoid using extension cords or power strips with your heat press, as they can lead to overheating or even fire hazards. Instead, plan ahead to ensure the event location can meet your heat press’s specific electrical requirements.
If power access is limited, consider a heavy-duty, event-safe extension cord or generator (where permitted), and always reference your heat press manual for electrical requirements.
3. Print On-Demand, Not Ahead of Time
Skip the guesswork and the piles of leftover inventory. Instead of pre-printing dozens of shirts, let customers choose their shirt and design at the event, then press it right there. On-demand printing cuts waste, boosts profit, and creates a personalized, memorable shopping experience.
Live printing is not only efficient, but also a draw. People love to see their shirt made in front of them, and it gives your booth an interactive edge.
4. Keep It Simple: Apparel & Transffer Options
Stick to a few blank apparel styles in popular sizes—like unisex tees, kids’ sizes for family events, or school colors for pep rallies. Too many choices can overwhelm customers and slow down production. Streamlining your offerings helps speed up the process and manage inventory more efficiently.
Choose heat transfers that apply at the same temperature when possible to avoid juggling settings.
5. Plan for Fast, Efficient Transfers
Time is money, especially with long lines forming at busy events. If you anticipate the event to be super busy, use quick-applying transfers that can be pressed in seconds, such as Goof Proof® Screen Printed Transfers. Prioritize transfers with short dwell times and versatile application across fabric types.
Pre-organize your transfers by theme or event (school spirit, sports, holidays) so you can quickly find what you need and keep the line moving.
6. Know Your Audience & Pack Accordingly
Not every event is the same, so do your research before you go:
- Who’s attending? Families, students, athletes, or general festival crowds?
- What styles and sizes are most likely to sell?
- Are you working a school spirit night, a city festival, or a summer fair?
For school events, stock spirit wear and mascot designs. At fairs, seasonal or local pride shirts are great sellers. Use generic designs where possible, customers often prefer a shirt they can wear again and again.
7. Be Ready for Sellouts
Even with great planning, sizes or styles may sell out. Have a backup plan by offering an online store with pickup options. Post a QR code at your booth so customers can order onsite and pick up their item later at your shop or via delivery. You can capture the sale without carrying excessive inventory.
8. Build Community, Not Just Sales
Where possible, trade booth fees for a percentage of sales back to the host organization. For example, offering $3 per item sold to a school or club encourages them to promote your booth and secure you a prime location. It also shows your support for the community, which builds trust and loyalty.
If you have a trailer setup, consider parking it in a high-traffic area (if allowed by local ordinance) when not in use. Free advertising that keeps your brand top of mind.
Ready to Go On-Site?
On-site heat printing is one of the most rewarding ways to build relationships, boost visibility, and grow your business. With the right gear, smart planning, and customer-first thinking, you’ll be ready to press profit on the spot.
🎉 Don’t forget! Now’s your chance to save $50 on the Hotronix® A2Z™ Heat Press and kick off your event season with confidence.
