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Help center

Heat press settings & machine help

Temperatures, times and pressure for sublimation and DTF transfers, plus setup guides for your machines. Settings are starting points — do a test press on a spare piece first.

Sublimation heat press settings

By material and press type.

MaterialPrintingPressurePress · temperature · time
Ceramic mugCeramics Mirror Moderate
  • 3D heat press180°C356°F8 min
  • Mug heat press180°C356°F3 min
Ceramic plateCeramics Mirror Moderate
  • 3D heat press180°C356°F4–5 min
Ceramic tileCeramics Mirror Moderate
  • 3D heat press180°C356°F6 min
  • Flat-bed press180°C356°F200–240 s
GlassGlass & crystal Straight Moderate
  • 3D heat press180°C356°F6 min
  • Flat-bed press180°C356°F150–180 s
CrystalGlass & crystal Straight Moderate
  • 3D heat press180°C356°F10–13 min
  • Flat-bed press180°C356°F200–300 s
Crystal plaqueGlass & crystal Mirror Moderate
  • 3D heat press180°C356°F4–5 min
  • Flat-bed press160°C320°F200–300 s
Crystal GHPGlass & crystal Mirror Moderate
  • 3D heat press180°C356°F7 min
T-shirt, light cottonT-shirts Mirror High
  • Flat-bed press180°C356°F30 s
T-shirt, dark / vinyl / DTFT-shirts Mirror or straight High
  • Flat-bed press160°C320°F25 s
MetalStone, wood & metal Mirror High
  • 3D heat press180°C356°F3.5–4 min
  • Flat-bed press180°C356°F60 s
MDF woodStone, wood & metal Mirror High
  • 3D heat press180°C356°F4–5 min
  • Flat-bed press160°C320°F150 s
Granite rockStone, wood & metal Mirror Moderate
  • 3D heat press180°C356°F8 min
  • Flat-bed press180°C356°F200–240 s

DTF transfer settings

For ready-to-press DTF transfers. Always peel when the film has cooled.

FabricTemperatureTimePeelTip
Cotton 160°C320°F 25 s Cool peel Takes firm pressure well. Let it cool completely before peeling for the sharpest edges.
Cotton–polyester blend 150°C302°F 20 s Cool peel Moderate heat and pressure. A Teflon sheet on top is recommended.
Polyester 140°C284°F 15 s Cool peel Lower heat avoids scorch marks and shine. Press firmly and peel only when cool.
Nylon 135°C275°F 15 s Cool peel Heat-sensitive. Pre-press first and cover with parchment or a protective sheet.
Leather 130°C266°F 12 s Cool peel Low heat with light to medium pressure. Let it rest fully before removing the film.

Pressing tips

Mirror or straight?

Mirror printing flips the image so it reads correctly after pressing — use it for mugs, tiles, plates and most items. Straight printing is for glass and crystal, which are read from the other side.

Prepare the surface

Wipe ceramic and metal clean of dust, fingerprints and moisture before pressing. Moisture can shift colours or leave steam marks.

Set the pressure

High pressure gives crisp transfers on t-shirts and fabric. Moderate pressure stops fragile items like glass, tiles and crystal from cracking.

Connecting your heat press

Main power board → 16 A MCB → 13 A wall socket → heat press, with 2.5 mm² copper wire and a proper earth. Have a qualified electrician do the wiring.

Full power connection guide

Need help connecting a machine?

Tell us the machine model and what you’re seeing — we’ll walk you through it.

All guides

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