Small Heat Press Suggestions

CB Art & Framing

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Feb 20, 2007
Posts
2,135
I have a very small shop space. Owned a Seal 500T at one point which was great. The only drawback was extremely heavy.
I'm wondering if T-Shirt or Dye Sub type heat press might work?
 
I have a very small shop space. Owned a Seal 500T at one point which was great. The only drawback was extremely heavy.
I'm wondering if T-Shirt or Dye Sub type heat press might work?
I've seen t-shirt presses in action, but never used one personally. I'd say as long as they have an adjustable thermostat that works in the range you need for framing (150-225 degrees), and has the ability to adjust pressure for different thicknesses of material that are put in it, you should be good to go.
 
Have you looked at a small Hot Press? I have a 24x36 unit that fits into a corner. It can take a 26x38 piece. Anything larger goes to the wholesaler.
 
I have a small t-shirt type press that I got off eBay years ago for doing numbers on jerseys. It is effectively the same as this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Heat-Presse...762744?hash=item3f310b48b8:g:S4QAAOSwOVpXYiJM. When I started framing, I used it for a while for mounting. It worked fine, within the limitations of its size (the platen is only 15"x15" or something like that). It had foam surfaces very similar to our new Expressions 550 unit. Temperature control was digital and it had a timer that automatically started when you closed the unit and stopped when you opened it. The only drawback was that unlike the 550, it wouldn't stay in the closed, but unlocked position, which is where we always leave the 550. With the press open, only one surface stayed hot (top or bottom, I don't recall), so it took longer to heat the substrate. Easily dealt with by preheating a cycle before doing the piece, so it wasn't a big deal. The main limitation was the size.
 
Have you looked at a small Hot Press? I have a 24x36 unit that fits into a corner. It can take a 26x38 piece. Anything larger goes to the wholesaler.
I don't see a 24x36 Hot Press on Drytac's site. Is it still made?
 
Oops. Guess not.

Mine is over 20 years old.
 
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