The right heat press accessories can elevate your designs from amateur to pro-quality. Much like a ninja becomes skilled with a set of weapons, equipping yourself with the essential heat press supplies is key to mastering the art of transfer printing.
This comprehensive guide highlights the best tools to take your transfer printing to the next level. Whether you just bought your first heat press or are a veteran seeking to step up your game, this article provides the proper toolkit needed to create professional-grade heat transfers easily.
Table of contents
- Pressing Alignment Set
- Fast Cool Peel Air Transfer Blower
- Protective Guard Sheet
- Heavy-Duty Magnet Set
- Heat Press Pillow Set
- Precision Knife w/ Replacement Blades
- Self-Healing Cutting Mat Set
- Thermal Heat Tape
- Thermal Heat Tape Dispenser
- Shirt Folding Board
We're assuming you already have a heat press (if not, check out our blog post on how to pick a heat press machine). Now we break down the top 10 heat press supplies and accessories. While not all these are absolutely necessary (some cater to specialized needs), some are indispensable. Combined with some knowledge and practice, these hold the power to transform good results into great ones. Let's begin.
1. Pressing Alignment Set
Save hours of frustration trying to perfectly center transfers with this positioning guide set. Achieve precise alignment each time like a pro with these specially designed clear rulers.
Why it's useful
Eliminates the guesswork, misprints, and wasted transfers caused by eyeballing placement and making small repeated adjustments. Allows you to confidently position designs exactly where intended in a fraction of the time.
How it works
Choose the right size guide for your garment from the 5 options. Align the horizontal neckline markings on the guide with the collar seam of your shirt. Then use the vertical lines on the guide to identify the ideal center position and lower your transfer precisely into place before pressing.
For more on this topic, read our heat transfer size and placement guide.
Key features
- The set includes sizing guides for 2XL-6XL, Adult, Youth, Toddler, and Infant apparel.
- Made from durable PVC plastic that resists fading and warping.
- Dual horizontal guidelines accommodate both crew neck and v-neck garment styles.
- Provides 1-inch vertical line increments for dialing in centered alignment.
Price range: $20 - $25
2. Fast Cool Peel Air Blower
Speed up your heat transfer workflow and maximize productivity with a Fast Cool Peel Air Blower. Reduce pre-peel cool-down time significantly and move to the next transfer like a ninja.
Why it's useful
Cuts your wait time between pressing and peeling transfers in half or more. This allows you to complete jobs much quicker, increasing efficiency on large orders. The time savings are useful for businesses with high order volumes or turnaround expectations. Even hobbyists can benefit from minimizing the unproductive idle time waiting for transfers to cool.
How it works
After pressing a transfer, hover the blower nozzle over the area briefly at a distance of 1-2 inches. The powerful 60,000 RPM airflow will quickly lower the surface temperature allowing you to peel seconds instead of minutes after pressing. The variable speed trigger lets you control the intensity. Portable and lightweight, the blower is easy to maneuver around garments.
Key features
- The rechargeable battery provides up to 50 minutes of sustained use per charge.
- Includes multiple nozzle attachments to direct airflow for small or large transfers.
- Brush attachments help keep blower intakes dust-free and operating optimally.
- Fast USB charging (cable included) powers up the empty battery in 2-3 hours.
- Adjustable speed control toggles between high and low settings as needed.
Price range: $25 - $30 per set
3. Protective Guard Sheet
Keep your heat press spotless and prevent ink or paint transfer to the platen with reusable non-stick protective guard sheets.
Why they're useful
The durable sheets prevent scorching, ink marks, and other residue from staining the heat platen surface over repeated use. They provide a disposable protective barrier between your press and garments. This helps keep lower platens pristine, avoiding the cleanup hassle that reduces productivity over time.
How they work
Place a guard sheet onto the lower platen before each job, smoothing any wrinkles with your hand. Then position your garment over top and proceed with heat application as normal. The sheet prevents direct contact between the platen and fabric, which could cause unwanted markings.
Key features
- Withstands temperatures up to 600°F without melting, burning, or releasing chemicals.
- Made of tightly woven fiberglass material coated in PTFE for extreme heat resistance.
- Measures 16 x 24 inches to fit most average-sized heat press machines.
- Easily cut into customized sizes and shapes using scissors or a utility knife.
- Waterproof composition allows minor spills and drips to be wiped clean after use.
Price range: $10 - $12 per set
4. Heavy-Duty Magnet Set
Secure guard sheets firmly in place while pressing these heavy-duty neodymium magnets to pin them flat.
Why they're useful
The heavy-duty magnetic hold prevents guard sheets from slipping, bunching up, or moving during pressing. This avoids wasted transfers from misalignment issues. The strong downward pull allows you to use lighter, thinner sheets that conform better without movement.
How they work
After positioning your guard sheet on the lower platen, place a magnet in each corner with the magnetic side facing down. The 1/2-inch thick magnets will create a powerful connection through the sheet to securely anchor it. Their strong grip withstands the motion and vibration of heat press operation without loosening or sliding, allowing precise transfer positioning.
Key features
- The set includes 4 compact yet extremely potent rare earth neodymium magnets.
- Rated to withstand temperatures up to 176°F. Pull force exceeds 8 lbs per magnet.
- 1/2 inch thickness allows good surface contact despite any platen texturing.
- Use caution: Avoid electronics, mechanical devices, and medical implants.
Price range: $8 - $10 per set
5. Heat Press Pillow Set
Avoid marring delicate fabrics and prints with heat press imprints using these pillows. They provide smooth, even pressure on uneven garment surfaces.
Why they're useful
Ideal for eliminating pressure marks and indents when pressing knits, fleece, textured cotton, and other fabrics with buttons, zippers, seams, mesh paneling, or other surface variances. The pillows raise the print location to create a flat plane for uniform heat and pressure transmission. This helps novice printers avoid ruining garments as they learn proper techniques.
How they work
Select the appropriate-sized pillow for the garment area you want to print on. Then slide the pillow underneath that section of the fabric before lowering the heat press. The added loft underneath fills any gaps between the platen and garment surface to spread pressure evenly throughout the transfer during pressing. This prevents concentrating force on raised areas like buttons that could leave permanent dents.
Key features
- The set includes three different size pillows to suit any garment size and print location.
- Made of heat-resistant foam covered in durable, non-stick PTFE paper for longevity.
- The compact and lightweight design allows for easy positioning and storage.
- It can also be used as an ironing cushion when steaming and pre-pressing garments.
Price range: $30 - $40 per set
6. Precision Knife with Replacement Blades
Achieve meticulous trimming and intricate transfer cuts without tearing using the precision knife. Clean, smooth results made quick and easy.
Why it's useful
The super sharp blade allows detailed, effortless, and accurate cutting around curved contours and fine detail areas of heat transfer vinyl and paper. The anti-slip grip offers control for beginners learning proper technique while reducing hand fatigue for professionals during long prep sessions.
How it works
Use a self-healing mat surface when cutting transfers to protect work tables. Hold the knife at a shallow angle and apply light pressure to score the transfer material gently. Follow your cut line smoothly, and consistently while barely cutting into the mat below. Multiple light passes cut cleaner than pressing hard.
Key features
- Rubberized grip conforms to fingers for comfort and enhanced control over cutting.
- Includes #2 snap-off blades ideal for precision work and intricate cuts.
- Protective safety cap over blade when not in use for storage.
- Compatible with standard #10, #11, #16, & #17 hobby blades.
Price range: $6 - $8 per set
7. Self-Healing Cutting Mat
Protect work surfaces and extend blade life using the self-healing cutting mat. Damage and wear seem to disappear like magic.
Why it's useful
The mat prevents scarring of your work table surface from cutting over time. Its self-healing ability enables cuts to vanish after each use, keeping the mat pristine without permanent gashes damaging its integrity. This preserves your cutting precision and blade sharpness 5x longer than a wooden or glass surface.
How it works
Simply cut directly on the mat surface using your blade of choice. The mat's micro-grooved construction slices between the proprietary layers rather than cutting all the way through. This causes the mat material to rebound and close back up after the blade passes, making cuts seemingly disappear.
Key features
- Includes a 2-sided 12 x 18-inch mat, precision knife, and replacement blades.
- Grid markings every 1/2 inch allow for precision alignment and cutting.
- Durable 5-ply PVC material withstands 10,000 slices before replacement.
- Washable surface wipes clean easily while minimizing dust and debris spreading.
Price range: $20 - $25 per set
8. Thermal Heat Tape
Get reliable adhesion without residue using thermal-resistant tape. It keeps transfers firmly in place throughout high-heat applications.
Why it's useful
Prevents shifting, lifting, or curling of transfers during heat pressing. Unlike standard tapes that melt, the heat-resistant adhesive remains stable when exposed to the high temperatures required for application. This allows you to apply transfers smoothly without repositioning during pressing.
How it works
Clean the target surface, then cut pieces of thermal tape to hold down any parts of the transfer you want to be secured during pressing. Apply the tape end to the substrate, smoothing it out firmly, then fold over the transfer vinyl to anchor it. Press normally while the tape prevents movement of the anchored areas. It removes cleanly after use without damaging transfers or fabric.
Key features
- Can withstand temperatures up to over 500°F without degradation.
- 2.5-inch width works for taping down large sections or strips.
- The 108-foot roll provides ample tape for hundreds of applications.
- Tears easily by hand, allowing customized sizing as needed.
Price range: $7 - $10
9.Thermal Heat Tape Dispenser
The thermal heat tape dispenser enables easy, one-handed tape dispensing and cutting to boost efficiency significantly.
Why it's useful
This dispenser allows you to quickly and accurately dispense, cut, and apply tape using just one hand. This saves significant time and enables precision tape application while handling garments, transfers, or other tasks simultaneously. Extremely helpful when you need both hands free.
How it works
To use the dispenser, simply load your tape roll into the 1" or 3" core, depending on the tape width. Pull the tape end through the stainless steel cutter slit and feed out the desired amount. Hold the weighted handle down and pull your desired length of tape. Then slide the cutter lever to slice off the tape swiftly and cleanly in one smooth motion.
Key Features
- The non-skid rubber base and 1.5 lb weighted design firmly hold the dispenser.
- Suitable for heat-resistant tape, masking tape, packaging tape, duct tape, and more.
- Creates perfect, straight tape cuts without frayed edges or struggles.
Price range: $10 - $12
10. Shirt Folding Board
The shirt folding board provides an easy solution for quickly and consistently folding multiple garment types down to a uniform stackable size.
Why it's useful
This folding board allows you to neatly fold shirts, hoodies, pants, and other items in seconds compared to minutes by hand. It folds garments of varying sizes to a tidy, consistent 9" x 11.4" size, saving huge time when preparing stacks for packaging, display, or storage.
How it works
First, lay your garment flat across the surface to operate the folding board and smooth any wrinkles. Referring to the folding guides and markings printed directly on the board, swiftly fold in the sleeves and sides as directed. Within 30 seconds, a neatly and uniformly folded garment will be ready for stacking, bagging, or shelving.
Key Features
- Suitable for t-shirts, polos, hoodies, blouses, pants, and other common apparel items.
- Significantly quicker and more consistent results than freehand folding.
- Lightweight and stores flat until needed again.
Price range: $15 - $18
Pressing Forward with the Right Tools
Excelling in the world of heat press requires the right set of tools. The accessories we've discussed can improve quality, enhance precision, increase efficiency, and broaden your capabilities. Equip yourself with high-quality heat press supplies.
At Ninja Transfers, we're committed to providing top-tier, custom-printed DTF transfers and ensuring you have the knowledge and tools for success. Remember, every addition to your heat press toolkit is a step towards mastering your craft. Keep pressing forward.
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