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heat press machine with a yellow handle on a table with a blurry background. title reads "vevor heat press guide"

How to Use the Vevor Heat Pres

A complete guide to setting up and using the Vevor "swing-away" heat press. Learn how to dial in the manual pressure and avoid common safety risks.
Yield 1 Finished Sublimation Project
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Project Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Materials
  

  • Sublimation Blank (Shirt, Tote, etc.)
  • Design or Image
  • Sublimation Paper with mirrored design
  • Parchment Paper
  • Heat Tape

Equipment

  • 1 Vevor Heat Press
  • 1 Cricut optional
  • 1 Weeding Tool optional

Instructions
 

  • Turn the machine on and press the MODE button. Set your target temperature and time based on your material's packaging. (For sublimation, I use 365�F for 40 seconds).
    setting the temperature on the vevor heat press
  • The Resistance Test: While the plates are still warming up, place your item on the bottom plate and close the handle. It should feel like a struggle to lock it. Adjust the top knob until you feel high resistance.
    Sublimation Blank (Shirt, Tote, etc.)
    pointing to the knob that controls the pressure on the heat press
  • Prep and Mirror Your Design: While the machine reaches the target temperature, ensure your design is weeded and mirrored.
    Sublimation Paper with mirrored design, Design or Image
    disney snacks design in black sublimation paper already weeded
  • Protect the Plates: Place parchment paper on the bottom plate. Place your item on top. If you are using a shirt, put parchment paper inside the layers.
    Sublimation Blank (Shirt, Tote, etc.), Parchment Paper
    taping down a disney snacks design from sublimation paper onto a blue drawstring bag using heat tape
  • Secure with Heat Tape: Position your design face down and use heat tape so it does not shift when you move the swing-arm. Place another piece of parchment paper on top to protect your item.
    Parchment Paper, Heat Tape
    covering the drawstring bag and design with parchment paper on the heat press
  • Press and Lock: Swing the top plate back over your design and pull the handle all the way down. Press START.
    pulling down on the lever of the heat press and pressing the button for the timer
  • When the timer beeps, lift the handle and swing the plate away. Let the item cool completely before peeling the paper to ensure the dyes set properly.
    pealing the sublimation design away from the drawstring bag to show the disney snack design on the bag

Notes

  • Safety First: Never leave your press unattended while it's heating or in use. Because of the high electrical draw, it's best to plug it directly into a wall outlet rather than a power strip. This helps prevent the cord from getting "crazy hot" or causing a fire risk.
  • The Tip Hazard: Remember that this is a heavy, "top-heavy" machine. When you pull down on the handle, it can become unbalanced. You have to ensure it is bolted down or sitting on a very sturdy surface so it doesn't tip.
  • Alignment is Final: Sublimation is a "one-way street." Once those dyes are heated, you cannot undo the result. We have found that double-checking your alignment and using plenty of heat tape is the only way to avoid ghosting or ruined blanks.
  • The Resistance Test: If it's too easy to close the handle, your pressure is too low. For sublimation, it should feel like a real struggle to lock the handle into place.
Keyword Accessory, Clothing, Cricut, Heat Press, Heat Transfer Vinyl, HTV, Iron-On Vinyl, Sublimation, Transfer Paper, Vevor