How can I ensure my heat press is producing consistent results?

Due to variations in substrates and heat presses, the recommended heat press settings may vary for your environment. On this basis, recommended time, temperature, and pressure settings are a useful starting point.

For best results, test different time and temperature combinations to find one that works best with your substrate and heat press combination. Remember, large variations of any setting may lead to poor quality imaging. Also, keep a log of the times, temperatures and pressures that work best for specific products, so you can easily refer to them when it comes time to start production.

Calibrating your heat press is recommended to ensure an accurate temperature. For this procedure, temperature test strips are more accurate than the use of infrared temperature guns. SEC Associates has a good YouTube video that shows several methods of checking a heat press’s temperature accuracy. Contact your heat press manufacturer or dealer for calibration instructions specific to your press.

-Jimmy Lamb, Sawgrass