Heat Press, Transfer Machine Comparison Chart For Hix, Geo Knight, Stahls Mighty Press, Hotronix, Maxx & More!
Heat Press Comparison Chart
Need a starting point? When considering a Heat press you should take into
account that a standard full size T-shirt press is 16"x20". This
size makes it easier to place the transfer on the shirt straight. Most of the
shirt is on the heat press and you can line up the transfer, rhine stones, etc.
faster because you can see the collar and shoulders as a reference. Additionally,
the 16"x20" size accommodates just about all heat transfer sizes.
Furthermore, you can press multiple items at one time (ie: two mouse pads).
This cuts your labor in half… a big time saver!
Trying to decide between a Clamshell or Swing-Away style heat press? Here are some
things to consider. Swing-away heat presses have some advantages over clamshell heat presses.
First, the hot plate of the heat press is not facing the operator and therefore you can work
safer and faster on a swing-away heat press. Example: You can lean over the lower
plate of the heat press and load the heat press faster, you can place the transfer faster because
you can look straight down on the shirt or mouse pads to determine the transfer
is straight very quickly. In essence you get a higher production rate out of
swing-away heat press. Additionally, a swing-away heat press is best to use for items
such as ceramic tiles because the head of the heat press comes straight down and therefore it
does not allow the transfer to shift. Furthermore, the commercial model swing-away
heat press such as the Geo Knight DK20S is great for those demanding items such
as tote bags because you can overcome the thick folds, seams and gussets of
the bag with the heat presses heavier duty pressure control ability. The Geo-Knight DK20S heat press can apply heat transfers to just about any flat item and is one of the most popular presses on the market.
The below chart shows heat presses for the most popular uses. We carry heat presses from hobby size to industrial.
To see all brands/models click on the link below and then click on the brand logos to see them all!
Hobby/Starter Heat Presses (9"x12" up to 11"x15" platen sizes)
Click picture for more info!
Make,
Model,
Platen Size
Adj.
Thermostat
with ready light
Adj. Timer
Temperature
Gauge in
Platen
Counts #
of
Impressions
Memory
Function
For
Time, Temp, etc
**Press
items up
to
(thickness)
Heating Platen Warranty
Machine
Weight
Comments
*Panther Press: 9x12
Y
Y
Y
N
N
1.5"
1 Year
20lbs
Great Starter Press. Keep in mind this is a Hobby Machine and is not meant for pressing more than 8-12 shirts in a row. The heat recovery slows if you exceed this. Has heat ready lite. No temp. gauge or timer.
*Hix HL Hobby Lite: 9x12
Y
N
N
N
N
1.5"
1 year
20lbs
Great Starter Press. Keep in mind this is a Hobby Machine and is not meant for pressing more than 8-12 shirts in a row. The heat recovery slows if you exceed this. Has heat ready lite. No temp. gauge or timer.
*Geo Knight JetPress14 12x14
Y
Y
Y
N
N
1"
1 Year
58lbs
Has higher heat recovery time than Hobby Lite. Also has Temperature Gauge in platen. (Small Battery Powered Timer)
Mighty Press Lite 11x15
Y
N
N
N
N
1"
Lifetime Heating Element
35lbs
80° opening. Teflon coated heating element.
Mighty Press Porta 11x15
Y
N
N
N
N
1"
Lifetime Heating Element
47lbs
50° opening. Teflon coated heating element.
Maxx Press Digital 11x15
Y
Y
Y
N
N
0.75"
Lifetime Heating Element
56lbs
Fully Digital Clamshell. Teflon coated heating element.
Hotronix Auto Open Clam 11x15
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
1"
Lifetime Heater Block
57lbs
Auto Opening. Dual Timer. Digital Pressure readout.
Mid Sized Heat Presses (15"x15" up to 16"x16" platen sizes)
Click picture for more info!
Make,
Model,
Platen Size
Adj.
Thermostat
with ready light
Adj. Timer
Temperature
Gauge in
Platen
Counts #
of
Impressions
Memory
Function
For
Time, Temp, etc
**Press
items up
to
(thickness)
Heating Platen Warranty
Machine
Weight
Comments
Mighty Press 15x15
Y
N
Y
N
N
0.75"
Lifetime Heating Element
63lbs
50° opening. Teflon coated heating element.
*Hix SwingMan 15: 15x15
Y
Y
N
N
N
1.75"
Lifetime Heating Element
58lbs
Lightweight Swing Press Adjusts for items up to 1 3/4 inches thick.
Hix Presto 15: 15x15
Y
Y
Y
N
N
** 0.25"
Lifetime Heating Element
54lbs
Good economical press. Has Adj. Thermostat and adj. Pressure Control (clip type with preset notches) (These models do not have Temp. Gauge or Timer)
Maxx Press Digital 15x15
Y
Y
Y
N
N
0.75"
Lifetime Heating Element
66lbs
Fully Digital Clam press. Opens 50 degrees wide.
Hix HT400P: 15"x15
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
1"
Lifetime Heating Element
72lbs
This is our lowest cost Commercial Press. It has Adj. Thermostat, Timer, Temp Gauge, better Adj. Pressure Control and much more.
Geo Knight DK16: 14"x16"
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
** 0.25"
Lifetime Heat Platen
83lbs
Has full features: Adj Thermostat, Timer, Temp Gauge, Pressure Control, Counts # of Impressions, Memory Settings for Time, Temp, 3 year warranty on controls plus much more. Press opens up 110°
*Geo Knight DC16: Digital Combo 14”x16”
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Lifetime Heat Platen
120lbs
Interchage-able platens for mugs, t-shirts, plates, and cubed items.
Hotronix Auto Open Clam 16x16
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
1"
Lifetime Heater Block
68lbs
Fully digital. Auto Opening clamshell.
Full Size Heat Presses (16"x20" up to 22"x22" platen sizes)
Click picture for more info!
Make,
Model,
Platen Size
Adj.
Thermostat
with ready light
Adj. Timer
Temperature
Gauge in
Platen
Counts #
of
Impressions
Memory
Function
For
Time, Temp, etc
**Press
items up
to
(thickness)
Heating Platen Warranty
Machine
Weight
Comments
Mighty Press 16x20
Y
N
Y
N
N
0.5"
Lifetime Heating Element
85lbs
60 Wide Opening Manual Pressure Adjustment.
Geo Knight DK20: 16x20
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
** 0.25"
Lifetime Heat Platen
103lbs
Has full features: Adj. Thermostat, Timer, Temp Gauge Pressure Control, Counts # of impressions, Memory Setting for Time, Temp, 3 year warranty on controls plus much more. Press opens up approx. 110°
Mighty Press Digital 16x20
Y
N
Y
N
N
0.75"
Lifetime Heating Element
94lbs
Fully Digital. Opens 50 degrees wide.
Hix Presto 20: 16x20
Y
N
N
N
N
1"
Lifetime Heating Element
78lbs
Same as Presto 13 & 15 but can handle items up to 1" thick and has a better pressure control & warranty.
Hix HT600 16x20
Y
Y
N
N
N
1"
Lifetime Heating Element
83lbs
This is our lowest cost 16"x20" Commercial Press. It has Adj. Thermostat, Timer, Temp Gauge, good Pressure Control and much more.
Hotronix Auto Open Clam 16x20
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
1"
Lifetime Heater Block
79lbs
Dual digital timer, digital pressure gauge, auto open.
Hotronix Hover Press 16x20
Y
Y
N
N
N
1"
Lifetime Heater Block
79lbs
Maximize production for direct-to-garment printing with the Hotronix® Hover Press.
Upper platen hovers over garment to ensure a stronger bond & brighter colors between ink & garment.
*Geo Knight DK20S: Digital Swinger 16x20
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
1"
Lifetime Heat Platen
184lbs
This Commercial swing-away press has all the full features as the other Geo Knight models. Also has a heavy-duty adj. Pressure control. In our opinion the most versatile and best manual press on the market today.
Hix N-880D 16x20 Air Automatic
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
0.75"
Lifetime Heating Element
137lbs
Commercial clamshell air-automatic with heavy-duty adj. Pressure control. Has piston assist lift, Timer, Temp Gauge, Adj. Thermostat, etc, Great for production shops.
Hix C-800D: 16"x20" Air Automatic
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
** 0.25"
Lifetime Heating Element
110lbs
Tough, heavy duty heat press machine designed for extensive use in shops that do extra high volume work. This machine is the big brother to the N-840 model. The electrical, air assist lift and the internal mechanical components are all heavy duty so you have trouble free performace. This is the heavy duty work horse that can run all day and night long.
*Hix SwingMan20D: 16x20
Y
Y
Y
N
N
1.75"
Lifetime Heating Element
99lbs
The SwingMan 20D features a 16” x 20” swing away heat platen that will meet the needs of any textile or sublimation business.
*Hotronix Swinger 16x20
Y
Y
Y
N
N
0.625"
Lifetime Heating Element
103lbs
Fully Digital Swinger heat press.
Hotronix Draw 16x20
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
0.625"
Lifetime Heating Element
119lbs
Bottom platen pulls all the way forward for easy transferring. Fully digital press.
*Geo Knight DK20SP: Air Automatic 16x20 Digital Swinger
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
1"
1 Year Entire Press
210lbs
Commercial swing-away air-automatic with heavy-duty adj. Pressure control. Full features. Great for production shops.
*Hix SwingMan25D: 20x25
Y
Y
Y
N
N
1.75"
Lifetime Heating Element
170lbs
The SwingMan 25D features a 20” x 25” swing away heat platen that will meet the needs of any textile or sublimation business.
*Hotronix Air Swinger 16x20
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
1.375"
Lifetime Heating Element
140lbs
Air Swinger 16"x20" - Commercial Heat Press
*Hotronix Air Swinger 22x22
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
1.375"
Lifetime Heating Element
265lbs
Air Swinger 22"x22" - Commercial Heat Press
*Swing away style presses.
**For those presses that show it can accommodate items up to 0.25" thick, this is only for soft items such as mouse pads. It is not recommended for ceramic tiles. Furthermore, clamshell presses (any size) are not recommended for use on ceramic tiles. For ceramic tile production a swing-away press is best.
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