Ultimate Heat Press Settings Guide: Temp, Time & Pressure
Comprehensive Heat Press Settings Guide (Updated 2025)
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: These settings are general guidelines and starting points. Results can vary based on your specific heat press model, ink, paper, substrate quality, blank manufacturer, and environmental conditions (humidity, ambient temperature).
ALWAYS perform a test press on a scrap piece or inconspicuous area of the material before committing to a full production run. Keep a log of settings that work best for your specific setup.
Flat Press Settings
| Material / Coating | Temperature (°C) | Temperature (°F) | Time (Seconds) | Pressure | Notes / Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester Fabric (100% White/Light) for Sublimation | 190 – 200 | 375 – 392 | 45 – 70 | Medium | Mirror image. Pre-press fabric 3-5s. Use protective paper. |
| Polyester Blend (min 50% poly, light color) for Sublimation | 185 – 195 | 365 – 385 | 50 – 75 | Medium | Vintage/faded look on lower poly counts. Mirror image. Pre-press. |
| Ceramic Tiles (Sublimation Coated) | 200 – 205 | 392 – 400 | 240 – 480 (4-8 min) | Medium – Firm | Mirror image. Place tile face up, print face down. Use blowout paper & heat pad. Cool face down. |
| Aluminium (Sublimation Coated Sheets & Blanks) | 190 – 200 | 375 – 392 | 50 – 90 | Medium | Remove protective film! Mirror image. Pre-press metal briefly. Cool quickly. |
| Hardboard Blanks (Coasters, Keychains for Sublimation) | 190 – 200 | 375 – 392 | 60 – 90 | Medium – Firm | Remove protective film! Mirror image. Pre-press if needed. |
| MDF (Sublimation Coated Wood) | 190 – 200 | 375 – 392 | 70 – 120 | Medium | Mirror image. Pre-press. Can warp; cool under weight. |
| Mousepads (Polyester Top for Sublimation) | 190 – 200 | 375 – 392 | 45 – 60 | Medium | Mirror image. Use protective paper. |
| Puzzles (Cardboard/Hardboard, Sublimation Coated) | 190 – 200 | 375 – 392 | 60 – 90 | Medium | Mirror image. Pre-press puzzle 5-10s. Cool flat, possibly under weight. |
| Stone Slates (Sublimation Coated Photo Rocks) | 195 – 205 | 385 – 400 | 360 – 600 (6-10 min) | Light – Medium | Mirror image. Print face up, slate face down. Long pre-heat of slate can help. EXTREMELY HOT – use gloves. |
| Glass Cutting Boards/Photo Panels (Sublimation Coated, White Back) | 200 | 392 | 240 – 360 (4-6 min) | Medium | Mirror image. Print on white coated side. Often pressed image face up, glass face down on print. |
| Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV – Smooth/Standard PU) for Fabrics | 150 – 160 | 300 – 320 | 10 – 15 | Medium – Firm | Do NOT mirror image (unless specified by HTV type). Pre-press garment. Peel carrier hot/warm/cold per HTV instructions. |
| Glitter HTV for Fabrics | 160 – 170 | 320 – 335 | 15 – 20 | Firm | Do NOT mirror. Pre-press garment. Peel carrier per instructions. |
| Light Fabric Transfer Paper (Inkjet for Cotton/Blends) | 180 – 190 | 355 – 375 | 15 – 30 | Medium – Firm | Mirror image. Pre-press garment. Peel hot/warm per paper instructions. For light/white fabrics. |
| Dark Fabric Transfer Paper (Inkjet for Cotton/Blends) | 160 – 175 | 320 – 350 | 15 – 25 | Light – Medium | Do NOT mirror image. Pre-press garment. Weed design, peel from backing, place on garment. Cover with parchment/Teflon. For dark fabrics. |
| PU Leather / Faux Leather Blanks (Sublimation-Ready or for HTV) | 180 – 190 (Sub) / 140-150 (HTV) | 355 – 375 (Sub) / 285-300 (HTV) | 50 – 70 (Sub) / 10-15 (HTV) | Light – Medium | Test carefully to avoid melting/scorching. Use protective sheet. For Sub: Mirror image. |
| 2-Tone Sublimer Blanks (Acrylic/Plastic for Sublimation) | 200 | 392 | 70 (after pre-heat) | Variable (Low-Med) | Do NOT mirror image. Remove back film. Pre-heat clear front 70-100s (element close, no touch). Flip & press. Cool under heavy weight. |
Cap Press Settings
| Material / Type | Temperature (°C) | Temperature (°F) | Time (Seconds) | Pressure | Notes / Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester Caps (for Sublimation) | 185 – 195 | 365 – 385 | 45 – 60 | Medium – Firm | Mirror image. Ensure good contact with curved platen. Use protective paper. |
| Cotton/Blend Caps (for HTV application) | 150 – 165 | 300 – 330 | 10 – 20 | Firm | Do NOT mirror image (unless HTV type specifies). Pre-press cap. Peel carrier per HTV instructions. |
| Cotton/Blend Caps (for Transfer Paper application) | 160 – 180 | 320 – 355 | 15 – 25 | Medium – Firm | Mirror for light transfers, NOT for dark. Follow paper-specific instructions. |
Mug Press Settings
| Material / Coating | Temperature (°C) | Temperature (°F) | Time (Seconds) | Pressure | Notes / Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic Mugs (Sublimation Coated, 11oz/15oz) | 190 – 200 | 375 – 392 | 180 – 240 (3-4 min) | Medium – Firm | Mirror image. Tape print tightly. Some pre-heat mug in press. Remove paper immediately. Cool in front of fan or submerge in room temp water (can crack if water is too cold). |
| Stainless Steel Tumblers/Mugs (Sublimation Coated) | 180 – 195 | 355 – 385 | 60 – 120 (Press) / 240-420 (Oven: 4-7 min @ 180-190°C) | Medium – Firm (Press) | Mirror image. Tape print tightly. If using press, may need to rotate. Shrink wrap + convection oven gives even results. |
| Glass Mugs/Tumblers (Sublimation Coated) | 190 – 200 | 375 – 392 | 120 – 180 (Press) / 300-480 (Oven: 5-8 min @ 180-190°C) | Light – Medium (Press) | Mirror image. Be cautious with pressure on glass. Convection oven often preferred for even heating. Results vary significantly. |
| Enamel Mugs (Sublimation Coated) | 190 – 200 | 375 – 392 | 120 – 180 | Medium | Mirror image. Tape print tightly. May require specific mug wrap or insert for even pressure. Avoid overheating handle if not coated. |
General Tips for All Heat Pressing:
- Pre-Press: Most garments and some rigid items benefit from a quick 3-5 second pre-press to remove moisture and wrinkles, ensuring better adhesion/transfer.
- Protective Paper: Always use protective paper (e.g., Teflon sheet, parchment paper, plain copy paper, silicone paper) between your heating element and your transfer/substrate, and often between the substrate and the bottom platen to prevent ink bleed-through or scorching.
- Mirror Image: Most sublimation processes require the image to be mirrored before printing. Most standard HTV does NOT require mirroring. Transfer papers vary (light usually mirrored, dark usually not). Always double-check the specific product instructions!
- Even Pressure: Ensure your press is calibrated to apply even pressure across the entire surface. Uneven pressure leads to inconsistent results.
- Calibrate Your Press Temperature: Use a surface temperature probe or heat strips to verify the actual temperature of your heat platen, as built-in display readings can sometimes be inaccurate over time.
- Manufacturer’s Instructions: When in doubt, always refer to the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of your blanks, inks, papers, or vinyl. These are often the most accurate for their particular products.
- Testing is Key: Before running a batch, always test your settings on a scrap piece of the exact material you’ll be using. This can save significant time, money, and frustration.
- Environment Matters: High humidity can affect sublimation and transfer papers. Store materials properly and consider a dehumidifier if your workspace is very humid.
This guide was last updated: . Settings can change, always test.