Here’s a quick guide to the best t-shirt printing machines. By the end, you’ll know the features, price points, and drawbacks of each device so you can make the best purchase for your small business.
Things to Consider
Running a small business can cost a lot of money, and the equipment you choose to buy and trust is vital for your success.
When you’re debating which t-shirt printing machine to purchase, there are a lot of small details to contemplate. There are universal qualities that everyone wants, like durability, maintenance, and lifespan.
But there are also specific questions to ask yourself before deciding on a printing machine.
Think about the degree of versatility, color capabilities, portability, or size that will work best for your business.
The volume of your production is a crucial issue to think about as well. Whether it’s a central part of your business or a complementary aspect, these details will matter.
PowerPress Digital Sublimation Heat Press Machine for T-Shirt
This PowerPress machine is top-rated online for its affordability, versatility, and ease of operation. It sits at just over $200 on Amazon at the time of writing.
Highlight Features of the PowerPress
- It has a heating plate with a printing area of 15 x 15 inches.
- It has a voltage of 110V and 1400 W power.
- There is a replaceable fuse to protect the machine from overheating and from an electrical short.
- It includes a silicone baseboard.
- Temperature range of 0-750°F and a time range of 0-999 seconds.
- There is no need for a coating sheet. The machine has a Teflon-coated heating plate that won’t affect the cloth of the t-shirt and is convenient to clean.
Why You Will Love It
- A digital screen controls the time and temperature for precise settings.
- It has a long arm handle with good grip and industrial-strength pressure, and even heat transfer.
- You can manually adjust the pressure with a knob to find the perfect setting for your project.
What Could Be Better
- The signals for transfer completion can be irritating.
- Not available for shipping in some countries.
Overall, this machine is affordable, basic, and user-friendly. If you’re looking for a simple printing machine, this may be your winner.
Cricut EasyPress 2 – Heat Press Machine for T-Shirts and HTV Vinyl Projects
Another best-seller is the Cricut EasyPress 2; it’s available in three different sizes, with the largest being 12 x 15 inches. It’s an appropriate option if you need something a little more compact or portable. At the time of writing, it’s just under $200.00 on Amazon.
Highlight Features of the Cricut EasyPress 2
- 12 x 15-inch ceramic-coated surface.
- Easy to learn and use.
- It offers temperatures up to 400°F.
- It promises professional iron-on results.
Why You Will Love It
- It heats up in under 3 minutes compared to other machines that can take up to 15 minutes.
- It offers even heat distribution with results in one minute or less.
- It has an auto shut-off feature just in case you leave it on.
- It’s lightweight, portable, and you can take it almost anywhere.
What Could Be Better
- It can’t reach temperatures more than 400°F, which can limit the projects it can tackle.
- You can only use it on smaller projects.
- Arguably, it’s a little pricy for its size.
If you’re a small business that doesn’t use printing as the primary aspect of your business, this is a good option. It’s affordable and compact, so you can store it when it’s not in use. It still offers high quality and ease of use for the casual printer.
Fancierstudio Power Heat Press Digital Heat Press
Fancierstudio is near the top of the t-shirt printing industry. They offer a range of machines and constantly update them with new technology and features while still being affordable. You can find this machine on their website for roughly $200.
Highlight Features of the Fancierstudio Power Heat Press
- It is industrial quality with a 15 x 15-inch plate.
- There is a Teflon coating on the plate with a silicone rubber base.
- It has a voltage of 110V and 1800 W power.
- Temperature range from 0-699°F and a time range of 0-999 seconds.
- Includes an adjustable pressure knob to account for different types of materials.
- It saves space with an upward swing opening.
- Perfect for applying anything to t-shirts, garments, mousepads, bags, and more.
Why You Will Love It
- It is built with aluminum and steel to withstand any wear and tear. It has a lot of longevity because of its durability.
- The silicone base offers stability for your garment, and the coated aluminum protects the piece from any heat damage.
- It includes a knob for manual adjustment of pressure with more pressure variability than most other machines.
- Incredibly affordable price.
What Could Be Better
- This machine is slower to heat than others.
- It emits some smells with the first few uses – which is typical of heat press machines – so be sure to be in a ventilated space.
The Fancierstudio machine is a powerful option. It is high-quality, easy to use, and is ideal if you’re going to be using it continuously as a principal feature of your business. It’s affordable, so it’s great if you’re just starting out or have a lower budget without compromising on value.
ePhotoInc Swing Away T-Shirt Heat Press Machine Transfer Sublimation Press
The ePhotoInc machine is an affordable option suitable for medium to large projects, and you can use it on a commercial scale. It’s just over $100, so it is an ideal choice for the budget-conscious.
Highlight Features of the ePhotoInc Press
- It has a voltage of 110V and power of 1200 W.
- It includes a 9 x 12-inch aluminum plate with a Teflon sheet.
- It has a 360-degree rotation of the swingarm and allows the heating element to be moved to the side to reduce accidents.
- Reaches temperatures up to 500°F with a timer that ranges from 0-999 seconds.
Why You Will Love It
- It’s a compact option and can you can transport it easily if necessary.
- You can use it on flat surface items like fabrics, metal, wood, and glass.
- It comes fully assembled.
What Could Be Better
- Some devices have an issue where the bottom plate beneath the silicone pad gets hot when it shouldn’t. The manufacturers claimed that this isn’t a universal issue.
- Bad scents for the first few machine uses are not unusual, but opening a window or running a fan can help.
If you’re not looking to spend a lot of money to replace an old machine or are just starting with t-shirt printing, this is a good, low-commitment option.
Final Thoughts
There is a vast market of t-shirt printing machines out there. Before making the perfect purchase for your business, calculate the features you want, don’t need, or are non-negotiable.
This assessment will help you quickly cut some of your potential options off the list.
High on the list of things to consider are budget, the size of the machine you need, or what you can fit. Calculate the scope of your purpose, such as is this something you’ll be using every day, multiple times a day, or something to pull out occasionally.
