Clamshell vs Swing Away Heat Presses

clamshell vs swing away heat presses: which one should you get

Are you in the market for a new (or your first) heat press?? You came to the right place! Pro World carries a broad selection of TransPro heat presses- many of which are eligible for our $200 off deal!*

*If you purchase at least $399 in stock transfers, transfer paper, heat transfer vinyl, sublimation paper, sublimation blanks, and Silhouette products (excluding cutters & custom transfers), a $200 discount will automatically be applied to your cart.

But first, do you even need a heat press? Can’t you just use an iron or handheld heat press?

In some situations, yes. However, a heat press gives you the pressure consistency, temperature control, and larger work area necessary for most projects. Additionally, if you have a steam iron, the holes on the bottom will affect the amount of pressure being applied. Your transfer won’t be receiving any pressure in the areas where the holes are.

So if you have a t-shirt business (or are thinking about opening one), using a heat press will allow you to create MORE shirts in way LESS time. Plus, you’ll be able to feel confident in the quality of your shirts!

Clamshell vs. Swing Away Heat Presses

We carry two different styles of heat presses: Clamshell & Swing Away. While the design may differ, one isn’t necessarily better than the other. When trying to decide between the two styles, keep in mind the type of substrates or garments you’ll be working with, as well as how much space you have available in your work area.

clamshell heat press vs swing away heat press

Clamshell Heat Presses

Clamshell heat presses open and close just like a clam. They have a smaller footprint of the two styles and also tend to be the more affordable option. They’re great for beginners because the design and set up are so simple.

Swing Away Heat Presses

Swing away heat presses have a top platen that lifts and swings completely away from the lower platen. This makes it easier to lay out your garment or substrate without the risk of burning yourself.

The design of swing away heat presses also makes them more conducive to working with thicker items, such as plaques and tiles. This is because the top platen comes down straight and can apply pressure evenly.

Swing away heat presses require more space than a clamshell style. You’ll need to make sure there’s enough room on either side of the machine to swing the top platen.

The TransPro Slide: The Best of Both Worlds!

If you love the affordability and size of a clamshell heat press but also want the ease of laying out your garments safely away from the heat, you may want to consider our TransPro Slide heat press!

The TransPro Slide is a clamshell style, but the lower platen slides out like a drawer. This gives you plenty of space to lay out your garment without having to get too close to the heat.

clamshell style heat press with slide out drawer

Whichever TransPro style you choose, you can feel confident that you’ll be getting a quality heat press at an unbeatable price! Check out all of the TransPro Heat Presses here and don’t forget about our $200 off special!!

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Heat Transfers 50% Off

Have you tried using a heat transfer yet? They are so simple to use and are offered in a variety of categories. Check our clearance section to receive half off select transfers www.proworldinc.com!  

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Want to learn more about them? Scroll down!

What is s a Heat Transfer?

Heat Transfers are images pre-printed on transfer release paper. The image is usually printed onto paper with plastisol inks which have the characteristics of being flexible enough for stretching and durable enough for wearability. 

What type of Heat Transfers do you have?

When it comes to Heat Transfers we have thousands of heat transfer designs for both adults and children, in a variety of media types. Take a look for yourself.  You can purchase screen printed transfers, rhinestone/sequins transfers, glitter transfers, solar transfers, glow in the dark transfers, mixed media and you can even design your custom heat transfers!

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What do you need to work with Heat Transfers?

What do you need to get started? All you need is the Heat Transfer, a heat press, and your garment!

How to use a Heat Transfer?

Using a heat transfer is simple!

  1. Select the transfer you will be printing.
  2. Place it face down on your garment
  3. Press it with your heat press per the heat transfers instructions

When are Heat Transfers Used?

When you want to create items quickly! Just find a stock heat transfer on the Pro World website, and heat press it on your shirt. Most Heat Transfers take about 10 seconds to apply.

What are Heat Transfers used on? 

Heat transfers are typically used for decorative purposes and applied to garments, mousepads, pillowcases, face masks, tote bags, and more!

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Have you used a heat transfer in the past? Let us see! Tag us on social media!

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10+ Things To Make For Valentine’s Day

Looking to create something new for Valentine’s Day? Today we are rounding up all of our love-ly products that you can customize!

Besides having close to 20 Jewelry Sublimation Blanks for you to choose from the one that really catches our eye for Valentine’s Day is our Heart Charm Bangle Bracelet! Add a photo, or your favorite print and you have a custom one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry to give!

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If your Valentine likes to cuddle, give a custom pillow! We have over 20 types to choose from, but we think you will love the heart pillows for this special occasion!

Fuzzy Heart Sublimation Blank

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Sequin Heart Pillow

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Glitter Pink Heart Pillow

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If you are looking for a gift that will be loved forever make a Heart Rock Slate.

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If you want your Valentine to feel the love even when on the road make a keychain! Here are a few of our favorites!

Heart Keychain

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Metal Keychain

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Leather Heart Keychain

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If you would like to make a shirt that is quick and easy use a Heat Transfer!

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Or you can use heat transfer vinyl to design your own image or use one of our digital art files!

Don’t forget to gift your pup with a Valentine gift. This heart dog tag is perfect!

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All about customizing face masks: inspiration, tutorials, and tips!

Want to create a custom face mask for you or your customers? MAKE SOME with our Face mask sublimation blanks. When it comes to Face Masks, you have options. You can use sublimation, heat transfer vinyl, or even a heat transfer to create a custom creation. Below you will find some questions and answers to help you with your creative process and to serve as inspiration!

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What does a face mask blank consist of?
All of our blanks are super comfortable with adjustable straps.

Do you ever run sales?
Sometimes! Keep an eye on our website and social media pages @proworldinc.

What do I need to sublimate a face mask?

How do you sublimate a face mask? Watch this video!

What type of vinyl would you use on a face mask?
Heat Transfer Vinyl. Just design, cut, weed, and heat press it onto your face mask.

Can I layer HTV on a face mask?
Yes, you can! Just make sure that the HTV is allowed to be layered.

How do I apply HTV to a face mask? Watch this video!

How do you use a Heat Transfer on a face mask?
Just press and peel! It’s really simple. Watch this video!

Do you have a video? Yes! Watch this.

While we are talking about masks, here’s a mask holder that you can create!

Have you made a custom face mask? SHOW US! Tag us on social @proworldinc

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Holiday Heat Transfers

With the change of season upon us that can only mean one thing. The holidays are quickly approaching! If you want to fill your product offerings fast, try using a heat transfer! If you’ve never used one, you need to! They are quick and simple. All you need is a blank, a heat transfer, a heat press, and about 20 seconds.

Scroll down to see some of our popular heat transfer categories.

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Thanksgiving Heat Transfers

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Winter Heat Transfers

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Hanukkah Heat Transfers

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Christmas Heat Transfers

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New TransPro Plus Heat Presses

If you love the TransPro Plus Heat Press you are going to LOVE the new models!

Want to see what makes them different from the last batch? Scroll down!

The Intrepid Adventurer

The TransPro Plus 15 x 15 includes the best features of our TransPro Select line but with so much more!  This press offers interchangeable platens (sold separately), slide-out lower platen for easy access, and semi-auto release which can be changed to manual operation if needed. The press also features a pressure display ranging from 0-9 that can be set by the large pressure knob on the top of the platen.

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Need the larger model? Try the 16 x 20 semi-auto heat press!

Looking for the perfect craft press? Try our 9″ x 12″ heat press. Our special laser-cut base allows for you to dress the garments over the lower platen without stretching them out. The press also offers a dual gas spring for the upper heat platen so it can be lifted gently for a smooth and quiet release.

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Want to make custom mugs? You need our TransPro Plus Mug Press! The extra-long heating element gives you the ability to easily print any size skinny tumbler – including a 30 oz skinny tumbler! The digital control panel with the colorful display is simple and the stable structure makes this machine lightweight and easy to operate. This press also offers interchangeable heating elements (sold separately) to expand the type of drinkware you can sublimate on. We offer a standard element for 11oz or 15oz mugs, a wide latte style for printing 15 oz tapered drinkware and a larger standard style for printing on a 30oz tumbler.

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Looking for a cap press? Consider the TransPro Plus Cap Press! This cap press is designed to perfectly mold and mirror the curves of a hat. Use this press to apply heat transfers on the cap’s brim and/or bill or use the press for printing labels on garments. This press comes with the standard cap platen size of 3.5×6.5″, but also offers 4 interchangeable platens (sold separately) for the perfect fit on most cap styles.

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Want to take a look at our other TransPro models? Go here!

 

 

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All About Heat Transfers

In a bind for time? Use a heat transfer! Scroll down to see what they are, how to use them, what to use them on & videos with the Heat Transfers being put to use!

how to use heat transfers

What is s a Heat Transfer?

Heat Transfers are images pre-printed on transfer release paper. The image is usually printed onto the paper with plastisol inks which have the characteristics of being flexible enough for stretching and durable enough for wearability. 

When are Heat Transfers Used?

When you want to create items quickly! Just find a stock heat transfer on the Pro World website, and heat press it on your shirt. Most Heat Transfers take about 10 seconds to apply.

 

What are Heat Transfers used on? 

Heat transfers are typically used for decorative purposes and applied to garments,  mousepads, pillowcases, face masks, and more!

How to use a Heat Transfer?

Using a heat transfer is simple!

  1. Select the transfer you will be printing.
  2. Place it face down on your garment
  3. Press it with your heat press per the heat transfers instructions

Types of Heat Transfers.

Here at Pro World, we sell thousands of heat transfers! You can purchase screen printed transfers, rhinestone/sequins transfers, glitter transfers, solar transfers, glow in the dark transfers, mixed media and you can even design your custom heat transfers!

Want to see some heat transfers in action? Here are some video tutorials!

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Make Rhinestone Garments Easily with Rhinestone Heat Transfers

Do you and your customers love the bling? Check out our Rhinestone Heat Transfers they are easy to use, just peel and heat!

They make a great addition to your garments! You can use them alone on a shirt or pair them with HTV or another heat transfer for a mixed media look.

Want to know the best part? We have over 200 rhinestone heat transfer designs in stock!!  Want to see some of our favorites? Scroll down!

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Spread the word in style with Rhinestone Awareness Heat Transfers.

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Our Animal Themed Rhinestone Heat Transfers are “paw”fect.

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Want to customize a garment with a funny saying? Get our Letters & Numbers Rhinestones Heat Transfers.

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Brides and Bridesmaids LOVE our Wedding Rhinestone Heat Transfers.brides

Your sports shirts don’t need to be boring. Use a Sports Rhinestone Heat Transfer.

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Have you used our Rhinestone Heat Transfers? Show us!! Tag @proworldinc or #proworldinc

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5 Ideas On Things To Make With Your Kids

Looking for something to do with the kids? Take out your cutting machine and/or Heat Press! There are plenty of projects that you can do together. You just need to think a bit outside the box :)

This is why today we are showing you 5 projects that we’ve made, and the kids helped!

5 ideas to make with your kids

1  – Coloring Tees

Do you have a child who likes to color? Or maybe a budding fashion designer? Have them help you personalize clothes for themselves OR their furry stuffed friends with coloring tees!

Coloring tees bring endless fun because you can create an outlined image on a garment, give them some Crayola markers and let them add the color. Once they are tired of it (or dirty) throw it in the wash to start again. See how to make it here!
Kids Coloring T-shirt Party Favor

2 – Paint OVER vinyl using the Hot Mess Technique

Does your kiddo like to paint? You are going to want to try the Hot Mess Canvas technique. It’s cute, messy, and absolutely no way that they can mess it up! See how to do it here.

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3 – Make that doodle last forever

Do you have a doodler on your hands? Or want to preserve that precious handwriting forever? Trace it and make it last permanently with adhesive vinyl. See how here!

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4 – Permanently Colored Gifts

Would your child like to make a gift for someone special? Have them design a crayon drawing and apply it to fabric! See how here.

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5 – Color Changing Apparel

Watch your clothes change colors right before your eyes thanks to Solar Heat Transfers! This project is the simplest of them all, but your kiddo will sure have fun watching it change colors before their eyes! See how to make them here.

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Do your kids help you with your custom projects? We would love to see it! Tag us at @proworldinc or #proworldinc

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Last Minute St. Patty’s Day Custom Goods That You Can Make

St. Patty Day Partys may be a bit smaller this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the Irish luck with St. Patty’s Day gear (& gifts!) Scroll down for some last-minute St. Patty’s Day custom goods ideas…that you can make!!

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Apparel
From St. Patrick’s Day Heat Transfers to making your own apparel with HTV, we have options for you! For starters, here are a few of our favorite heat transfers.

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As for HTV, we have plenty of green options for you to choose from. But what you really need to see are our SparkleBerry prints!

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Drinking Vessel
If you are looking for a glass to hold your favorite drink, you could sublimate a shot glass as we did a few years back.

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Or use Adhesive Vinyl to decorate a beer stein.

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Lucky Mask
If you find yourself in a pub-lic place this year, you are going to need a festive mask! In fact, you should bring a few extra to sell. They are sure to be a hit of the party!

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You can use HTV or sublimation to make a custom creation! Get your mask blanks here!

Accessories
If you want to preserve the luck and make it last all year, you could even make yourself some clover jewelry.

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