Are you considering starting your journey with a heat press transfer machine, but aren’t sure what materials you need for the job? When all you want to do is get started right away with creating professional custom apparel and printing unique designs at home, keeping track of every detail of the process can be daunting.

To get professional results, you need the right supplies for your heat transfer press. This guide outlines everything you need, from screen printed transfers to design software, to help you get started producing quality projects right at home. Discover the essential supplies needed for the best heat transfer press setup.

1.A Quality Heat Press Transfer Machine

To heat press from the comfort of your own home, you need the right heat press transfer machine. The type of machine you choose to buy depends on your budget, your projects, and your shop. For consistent, high-quality results and high volume output, consider purchasing an automatic machine. Anatol offers machines for screen printed transfers, with compact and portable models for small businesses, as well as industrial machines for peak production. Check out our heat transfer press collection to find your ideal machine.

A reliable heat press machine ensures precise temperature and pressure control, uniform heat distribution, and long-lasting durability. Investing in a high-quality machine is crucial for obtaining the best results when printing.

2.Transfers

The material you print on, the design you’re printing, and the supplies you have all play a part in  deciding which kind of transfer you should use. There’s a few options, but the main ones to choose from are heat transfer vinyl (HTV), heat transfer paper (HTP), or screen-printed transfer. Each transfer has its own pressure, temperature, and time requirements, so make sure to research them thoroughly before you start printing.

  • Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV): HTV can be used on a wide variety of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and even nylon. HTV is purchased in rolls and sheets and must be cut into designs using a vinyl cutter.
  • Heat Transfer Paper (HTP): HTP uses either an inkjet or a laser printer. Depending on the color of the fabric being printed on, different kinds of transfer paper must be used. 
  • Screen-Printed Transfers: These pre-printed designs deliver screen printing’s durability with the convenience of heat press application. They’re perfect for vibrant, multi-color designs and high volume production.

3.Cutting Tools or Printer

Depending on the transfer paper you’re using, you’ll need one of these:

  • Vinyl Cutter is used to precisely cut your designs when using HTV.
  • Printers, whether inkjet or laser, are used to print HTPs as well as screen-printed transfers.

4.Blank Apparel or Substrates

Your heat press transfer projects require a high-quality surface to achieve outstanding results. You can use a heat transfer press to print on t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and more! When sourcing blank apparel, remember to ensure the material (cotton, polyester, and blends are popular) is compatible with your transfer material of choice.

5.Accessories for Precision and Protection

To streamline your heat press transfer machine workflow and ensure safety, gather these accessories:

  • Teflon sheets or parchment paper protect both your designs as well as the heat press platen from residue and damage during pressing. These work especially well with screen printed transfers
  • Heat-resistant tape keeps your design in place during the heat press transfer, preventing shifts or misalignments.
  • Weeding tools such as tweezers or weeding hooks help remove excess vinyl from your HTV designs
  • Heat press pads ensure even pressure is applied even on surfaces with zippers, seams, or buttons

6.Design Software

If you’re planning on creating your own designs, you can utilize digital design software like Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, or Figma. Software like Silhouette Studio or Cricut Design Space are easy to use and work well with vinyl cutters and printers, perfect for creating designs that work well with your transfers.

7.Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies

An often overlooked part of making your own crafts. Keeping your heat transfer press machine in top condition is essential for ensuring its longevity and printing consistent, high-quality merchandise. Use a lint-free cloth and a non-abrasive (non-chemical) cleaning spray to keep your platen clean. This helps maintain consistent heat distribution for all types of transfers. Make sure to invest in some high temperature lithium grease and some multi-purpose oil to ensure your machine’s joints are well oiled and move smoothly.

Two station automatic thermal transfer press Rapid Transfer System (RTS)

Why Choose Anatol for your Heat Press Needs?

Here at Anatol, we’re all about quality and reliability. Our heat press machines are easy to use, highly accurate, and built to last. They’re perfect for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional, and work well with all kinds of transfers, from HTV to screen-printed transfers. 

With the right tools, your heat press is more than a machine. A top-notch heat press, the correct transfers, and all the necessary equipment and supplies you need, you’ll be printing high-quality designs in no time!

Are you ready to start? Dive into Anatol’s heat press collection and find the perfect machine to match your creative goals. Create high-quality, attention-grabbing designs today!