Heat

• The heating element of a heat transfer press can be quite dangerous if you're not careful. These elements heat up to between 375 and 425 degrees Fahrenheit, which is enough to cause severe burns on contact. Some models leave the heating element located near where the cloth is placed; others have a swing-away heating element, letting you set up the cloth and transfer material away from the hazards of being burned.
  
  

Cost

• According to E Heat Transfer, the range for heat transfer presses is roughly from $900 all the way up to $5,000 in 2011. E Heat Transfer also advises that you get what you pay for; the more money you put into your heat transfer press, the higher quality press you'll get. For those who are only using the press a handful of times per day, the lower-cost models are sufficient. For bigger loads or constant use, the more expensive models are better able to handle the work strain.
  
  

Function

• The heat transfer press was made as an alternative to silk screen printing, which can be messy on fabrics. The pattern and materials are prepped and placed over a piece of cloth. The heating element is pressed down and the heat bonds the pattern with the cloth to make it permanent; there is no ink and no mess to cleanup like silk screen printing.
  
  

Products

• Transfer press machines can be used on a variety of cloth types to create any number of looks; however, these machines are most commonly used on apparel such as T-shirts, jackets and blazers. Transfer press machines can be used on sheets or blankets as well, but these uses aren't as common.