A swing-away heat press is an ingenious device for transferring inks, vinyls and other heat-applied materials onto different substrates like clothing, ceramic tiles and more. If you’re in the business of producing customised apparel, then they’re a must allowing you to easily transfer logos, images and wording to everything from hoodies and hats to team t-shirts and aprons.
Whether you’re a beginner or a professional a swing-away heat press is a fantastic tool for achieving flawless results with heat transfer vinyl. In this heat press guide, we’ll take you through how you use it to achieve a high-quality and long-lasting finish.
What Makes A Swing Away Heat Press Different?
You might have come across clam shell heat presses before. These consist of two halves with the top platen opening at an angle. The substrate is placed on the bottom platen and the top pulled down to apply heat, much like the opening and closing of a clamshell hence the name. They’re often used by companies mass-producing garments because of their speed of use and the fact they don’t take up a lot of space.
In the case of a swing-away heat press, the top platen moves horizontally, giving you complete access to the lower platen and allowing you to align your designs precisely. They’re well suited to items that are an odd shape where you need full access or thick/large products. Additionally, they lower the risk of burns to your staff by moving the top plate out of the way while the material is placed.
Step-By-Step Guide To Using A Swing Away Heat Press
1. Prepare Your Materials
- Cut your design from the HTV using a vinyl cutter. Make sure the design is mirrored so it appears the correct way around once it is applied.
- Weed away the excess vinyl leaving only the design on the clear carrier sheet.
- Preheat the temperature on your swing press to the temperature recommended for your specific HTV type.
2. Position Your Garment
- Place the garment on the lower platen ensuring it is smooth and free from wrinkles.
- For precision use a heat press ruler or alignment tool to position your design accurately.
3. Pre-Press The Garment
- Move the top platen into position and press the garment for 3-5 seconds. This will help remove moisture and wrinkles to improve the adhesion of the vinyl.
4. Apply The HTV
- Place the HTV into position with the carrier sheet facing up. Use heat-resistant tape if you need to keep the design in place.
5. Adjust Time, Temperature And Pressure
- Set time and temperature based on the specific requirements of the HTV you’re using. Make sure the pressure is set correctly, usually firm for most HTV types.
6. Swing The Platen And Press
- Swing the top platen into place and press down.
- Release once the timer goes off and swing the platen out of the way so you can access the garment safely.
7. Remove The Carrier Sheet
- Check the HTV instructions and whether it needs a hot, cold or warm peel.
- Carefully peel it away making sure the HTV fully adheres to the garment.
If you have the space, using a swing-away heat press is ideal for providing better visibility and accuracy during HTV application, reducing errors and saving time. Even pressure and heat distribution ensure consistent results even when you’re working with thicker materials.
Find Out More
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