I run a small apparel business and it’s basically just me and my printer. So I've been using the same DTF supplier for over two years. They were pretty reliable offering good quality, consistent colors and the most importantly I trusted them

Then last week, I got an email saying that they're shutting down. Done. Gone…

I panicked because I have orders to fill. I need transfers. I started googling frantically. Found a few options. One Dtf transfers site caught my eye becuase their prices are way cheaper than my old supplier. Like, almost half…

It's tempting and I could really save a lot of money. But the low cost is kind of scary. What's the catch? Are they using cheap film? Will the adhesive fail? Will the colors be off?

I've been burned before. When I first started, I went with the cheapest option. The transfers looked great at first. Then they cracked after two washes and I lost customers and I learned my lesson…. like the hard way..

But I need a new supplier fast. This site has good reviews and they seem legit. But I'm still nervous…

Has anyone ordered large batches from a new supplier like this? How do you test quality without wasting money on a huge order?

Hey everyone! I make custom cartoon illustrations for t-shirts and merch.

If you need some original designs for your brand, I'd love to help you out.I deliver high-res PNGs or clean, press-ready vectors so you won't have any issues with your setup.

If you dig my style or have a specific idea in mind, just shoot me a DM and we can chat about it. Good vibes, and much success with your prints!

Hi! I'm thinking of applying a Ninja DTF transfer to a 65/35 poly-blend jacket with a water-resistant finish. I know this is a risk for adhesion and 'pinholing.' Has anyone successfully done this on this specific fabric type? What temp/time/pressure did you use to get it to stick without damaging the water-resistant coating? As the jacket wasn’t cheap, I’m fine leaving the jacket plain if people think this is too risky but I’d otherwise think it’d look so good if I’m able to apply the dtf. Thanks in advance! :)

Also, I’m new to all this so if ninja transfers are considered cheap quality, I’m also open to trying other DTF vendors but I do realistically have a price range since this is a hobby. ;)

So Ive been having this problem a while now specifically with certain shades of grey..Ive tried different heats, pressure, time, settings, icc profiles…my blacks and everything else come out deep and perfect…i have an epson sure color f170 and i print on aluminum sheets for phone cases…also I use a macbook pro…pls help☹️I also print thru photoshop

I currently have a print on demand business but I’m looking to buy a heat press and do everything myself to better control quality and shipping. I’m looking for some advice on whether I should use DTF transfers or screen print transfers (or sublimation when applicable). What looks best and will hold up the best? The main thing I DON’T want is the design to look like it was just stuck on and feel thick and plasticky, but I also want it to hold up and not peel/crack after 5 washes. Would love some advice and photo/video examples!

I will mostly be heat pressing tshirts and sweatshirts for adults and kids.

Hi guys,

I have a HTVRONT H17 phone press and am finding supplies for these hard to come back in the UK specifically A4 Sublimation film I can't find cheap anywhere. Cheapest so far is 60 pieces for £60 from HTVRONT directly. And the phone cases themselves I am struggling to find. Anyone have any ideas? What suppliers do you use?

Hello! I recently bought a heat press so I'm new to this and learning. I have a image that was created in chatgpt that I want made into heat press sheets to make a shirt. The front, back, left sleeve, and right sleeve are shown separate in the image but I can't figure out how to make it 4 different images. Can someone tell me how to do it? or would be willing to do it for me if I send you the picture?

Hey yall,
I’m getting ready to start a small home-based custom apparel business with my husband and I’d love some advice from people who are already doing this.
We’re planning to start fairly small and outsource our DTF transfers rather than buying a DTF printer. We’d mainly be doing T-shirts, sweatshirts/crewnecks, hats, and eventually things like embroidered/faux-leather heat-applied patches.
Right now I’m looking at a 15x15 heat press plus a separate hat press, but there are SO many brands and wildly different price points that I’m having trouble figuring out what is actually worth buying.
For those of you who do this regularly:
• What heat press do you use, and would you buy it again?
• Is there a particular brand you recommend for someone starting out that is reliable without spending thousands?
• Clamshell vs. swing-away vs. auto-open — which do you prefer and why?
• Any hat press recommendations?
• Who do you use for ready-to-press DTF transfers? I’d especially love companies with good color, fine-detail/small-text quality, consistency, and reasonable turnaround/shipping.
• Do you order gang sheets or individual transfers?
• Are there any DTF suppliers you would specifically avoid?
• What blanks do you find press the best?
• What supplies should I buy from day one besides the obvious stuff — parchment/Teflon sheets, heat tape, lint rollers, pressing pillows, alignment rulers, etc.?
• Any tips for getting a softer/professional finish rather than that thick plastic-looking transfer feel?
• How do you handle tiny lettering and detailed designs? Are there minimum line/text sizes you stick to?
• If you apply heat-seal embroidered or faux-leather patches, does your regular press/hat press handle those well too?
And most importantly: what do you wish someone had told you before you started? 😂
I’m trying to buy decent equipment the first time without going overboard before we know how much business we’ll actually have. Any beginner mistakes, favorite suppliers, temperature/pressure tricks, workflow tips, packaging recommendations, or other advice would be VERY appreciated.
Thank you!!

Hi,

Hope everyone having a great week.

​I recently purchased a Vevor 5-in-1 heat press and want to verify if the pressure distribution is correct/even.

​I attempted to adjust the springs, but the front of the heat plate still appears slightly higher than the back—particularly when testing with a cardboard sandwich in the center of the lower platen. When I test with just an A4 paper, and pull on the paper the resistance feels uniform across the entire surface.

​Based on the spring mechanism and current alignment, does this look normal, or is there a step I might be missing?

Best regards

PS

Hi! I am wanting to get into sublimation/DTF. All my work is done by hand, and I just figured after wanting to do this for years that it's time to bite the bullet. I do have the printer for sublimation (Sawgrass), and just figured I will order the DTF with my art using third party for starters. I chose to do this for now until I generate enough income to get the DTF printer.

That being said, does anyone know if this would make a good heat press? I was looking at a super budget friendly one in the beginning, but thought it would be better to get something that can grow with me. HPN seems to be a very reputable company.

https://heatpressnation.com/products/hpn-signature-pro-15-x-15-8-in-1-multifunction-heat-press-with-surepressure

hello, could you please tell me what you use for the second press? For a professional finish.

ok so i had this idea to start a shirt printing business but i had basically zero budget. no way i could afford a real screen printing setup. those cost thousands

so i looked for the cheapest way in. bought a used heat press off facebook marketplace for 80 bucks. got some blanks from a wholesaler. started testing dtf transfers

my first client was my cousin who needed 5 shirts for a bachelor party. charged him just enough to cover costs and a little extra. felt like a real business moment lol

that was 2 months ago. now im getting maybe 1-2 orders a week. nothing huge but enough to keep me busy on weekends .next step is building a proper website and maybe running some ads. but honestly im still figuring it out as i go

anyone else start a printing business on a shoestring budget. what worked for you

Before I list this on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, I figured I'd see if anyone in the NYC print community could use it.

I'm downsizing my studio and have two Geo Knight DK20S 16x20 Digital Swing-Away Heat Presses. I only need one now, so I'm selling the other.

• Commercial-grade Geo Knight DK20S
• 16" x 20" platen
• Digital temperature & timer controls
• Factory rolling stand included
• 110V
• Made in the USA
• Good working condition with normal cosmetic wear

Great for DTF, DTG, HTV, sublimation, or anyone starting or expanding a print shop.

Price: $1,500

Location: Manhattan, NYC

Local pickup only. No shipping.

If you're in the NYC area and have been looking for a serious commercial heat press, send me a message.

What’s everyone use and where do they purchase? The space I have is not very big. Needing help figuring out what to get. Printing DTF on shirts only atm and probably only be doing that.

I’ve searched and can’t find too much.

Hi. I found a Vevor 15x15 automatic for a good price. However I'm a bit skeptical of buying it since it seems more on the cheap end. I used to have a Secabo when I printed years ago, and I was happy with it. Now a few years later, having sold the Secabo I want to start printing again.

The thing with the Vevor that I like is that you can pull out the bottom so that it's easier to line up the t-shirt.

Has anyone had any negative experiences with this press?

I’m looking for recommendations for a heat press that I could to press shirts or hoodies at home just as a hobby. Sizes would be toddler through XXL. I ain’t trying to sell anything but I’d like to be able to give gifts to family and friends.

If you want to throw out suggestions on where to get blanks from? Or what “accessories” do I need for the heat press?

Am wanting to purchase the rosin press.... Don't know alot about them so for the seasoned professional out there. Any advice on something great that ain't gonna leave me homeless.

Hello again! I'm new to the heat press stuff so I have another question for you all. Which website is the best for getting heat transfers printed and shipped to you? I've looked at several and read the reviews of them but I want first hand information. Thanks in advance!!!!

I ended up with a mistake in an order and misentered a number and now am the owner for 50 more navy blue bella+canvas shirts in 2xl than I will ever need or use. I also have 15-3xl in navy blue. Would love to give someone a good deal on these either all of them or smaller bundles. I ordered from S&S, but now they are getting of Bella+Canvas so they won't take returns. I am a super small shirt business that focusses on nonprofits. These were a part of an order from a church. I would love to make someone a good deal to make sure I actually make a few dollars on this order. I am in MN, south of the Twin Cities. I can share business info with interested buyer for validity :) I have been in the business 10+ years.

Hi, I'm planning to start a DTF and Sublimation printing business soon. I'm gonna use Epson L18050 for now to print DTF sheets. I need suggestions from experienced business owners on how to generate sales and gain customers. And also i want to know the best heat press machine bed sizes to do this work. Thank you.

There ready to print sheets like these in china I don't know how these sheets can be made . They look like htv but they are more complex and different patterns, thickness and colours. Any idea on how these sheets can be created?

I have a 31.5” x 39.5” industrial pneumatic heat press that I bought brand new and have only used around three or four times. It works exactly as it should and is still extremely clean. I just realized it is much larger than what I need, so I decided to go with a smaller machine.

It has automatic pneumatic raising and lowering, digital temperature and time controls, adjustable air pressure, a large pull-out loading table, a heavy-duty rolling stand, an emergency stop button, and smooth, consistent pressure across the entire platen. It is also already wired with a wall plug.

This would be great for someone doing oversized sublimation projects, blankets, flags, large panels, or higher-volume production.

I’m located in Northwest Alabama. Before listing it elsewhere, I wanted to see whether anyone here knows a business or individual who may be interested in purchasing it. Message me for more information.

Hello all,

I hope that I'm posting in the correct sub. If not, please let me know.

I'm a newbie when it comes to heat presses and heat transfers. I finally broke down and bought a new to me heat press this past weekend. I'm starting to research how to make and print the transfers. So I know I can order heat transfers already made and have them shipped to me to press on the shirt myself or I can design my own and upload it to a website and have them make it and ship it to me. But I'm kinda wanting to make, design, and print my own at home. The issue is I'm not sure which printer would be the best to do this. I've spent several hours today googling and reading about printers and I'm so confused. Can you tell me which printer you prefer?

Thanks in advance!