Experienced t-shirt designers know that the swing away heat press is one of the most useful tools available for designing t-shirts. You don’t have to worry about getting the image lined up perfectly when using this type of heat press. The sheet will simply swing away and make way for your next shirt.
The swing-away heat press is a commercial garment heat pressing technique used to imprint onto garments. It tends to be suitable for pressing large pieces of fabric and light to medium weight garments. The swing-away design allows the user to place material easily over the backing plate. I’ll explain what a t-shirt press is, how it can be used, their types, and some useful tips and tricks.
What is a Swing Away Heat Press?
A swing heat press machine is a heat pressing that can be folded in half for storage and transportation.
Swing away heat presses can be used for embroidery and screen printing, but they are most commonly used for t-shirt pressing.
These machines allow you to put your shirt into the unit, close it up, and lock it into place with just a few simple motions. The machine then applies pressure and heat to your garment, allowing you to create beautiful designs on your clothing.
A swing-away heat press machine has multiple benefits. It allows you to save space in your shop or studio because it folds up so easily when not in use. It also makes packing up your business easier when you are ready to move locations.
The Most Useful Swing Away Heat Press For T-Shirt Designers
Swing Away Heat Presses are a great way to work on your T-shirt designs. Even though your shirts are enormous or lengthy. The swing-away feature enables you to access them conveniently. This helps you to concentrate on your concepts fast and effectively.
Swing Away Heat Presses are also safer than other heat presses because they don’t require you to have an assistant or have them hold the shirt while you press it.
The following is a list of some of the most popular Swing Away Heat Presses currently available:
SpeedPress Rotary Heat Press
The SpeedPress Rotary Heat Press is a very popular heat press for all users. The unique design of the SpeedPress allows you to remove your garment from the platen without having to stop your pressing cycle. Perfect for processing lines that require moving products between stations.
The SpeedPress has a large surface area which makes it ideal for larger items like blankets, sheets, and other large pieces of fabric. The platen can be heated up to 400°F (204°C) and has a 5-minute timer with an auto-off function.
The SpeedPress rotary heat press comes with four interchangeable platens, each with different thicknesses. This allows you to press different materials simultaneously without changing out plates or pressing plates; simply change out the fabric.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- It can be used with or without a vacuum bag
- Easy to use and clean up
Cons
- Not suitable for large projects
Insta 16×20 swing-away heat press
The Insta 16×20 Swing Away is a high-quality, heavy-duty heat press built to last. The Insta 16×20 Swing Away features a 16 “x20” self-contained platform and a 10-year warranty.
This Insta model is made with heavy-duty steel construction and is perfect for large T-shirts, flags, banners, and more. It has an adjustable temperature control that ranges from 120°F – to 550°F.
It also has an adjustable timer control for up to 99 minutes. This feature allows you to set your own time and temperature so that when you’re done with your project, the machine will automatically shut off!
The model includes a convenient 80mm fan and built-in carrying handles for easy transport. The Insta 16×20 Swing Away Heat Press is an excellent choice if you need an affordable industrial heat press that can handle high volume production or large area pressing requirements.
Insta 16×20 Swing Away has a maximum temperature of 400°F and a maximum pressure of 5 tons. This means you can use it to safely press t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, shirts, hats, and more.
Pros
- They’re very compact.
- Its Durable, affordable, and versatile
- It’s easy to use
- Allows for easy removal of shirts.
Cons
- Transfers cannot be ironed on.
Siser digital swing-away heat press
The Siser Digital Swingaway Heat Press is a great tool in your shop. This heat press has many features that will make it easy for you to use and get the job done quickly. You can easily press all kinds of materials with this machine, giving you the best results.
The digital display on this machine makes it easy to see what temperature setting you are using and what time until your item is ready. The LCD also has an alarm to know when your item is done heating up or cooling down.
The digital temperature control on this machine makes it easy for you to set the temperature exactly where you want it so that your job comes out perfect every time!
There are several different sizes available for this swing away heat-press, so check each one out before deciding which one is best for your shop.
Pros
- It’s affordable
- It has an easy assembly process
- It’s portable and lightweight
Cons
- There are no pre-installed designs on the machine
DTF-S-Swing Away Heat Press
The DTF-S is a swing-away heat press that allows you to keep your heat press in a fixed position and still open it up for easy access to your garments. This is useful if you have multiple pieces to press or need to change out your garment while it is still on the press.
The DTF-S is designed to work with all of our standard-size heat presses.
This unit’s base is made from heavy gauge steel and powder coated in black for long life and durability. The top plate has a 1/2″ thick rubber insulation, which helps protect your garment from damage caused by high temperatures. The top plate also has two built-in handles so that you can easily lift the unit off of its stand when needed.
Pros
- It is a swing-away type.
- This model has a built-in timer.
- It comes with a digital display for temperature and time settings.
- Taking care of the machine properly will allow it to last for many years.
- The presser plate is made of high-quality aluminum alloy, which ensures the long life span of the machine.
Cons
- The only con I can think of is that sometimes the pressure needs to be adjusted manually.
Advantages of Using a Swing Away Heat Press

Swing away heat press is a great option for those looking to get their business started. Other types of heat presses do not have the same advantages.
Swing away heat press allows you to work efficiently and save time. When you use a swing-away heat-press, you don’t have to waste time aligning the image or logo on the shirt with the platen. With this type of press, you need to place the garment on the platen and press it down with no adjusting required.
Another advantage of using a swing-away heat press is that it makes it easier to remove the product after pressing. There will be no risk of damaging your logo if you accidentally touch it during removal from the machine.
The main benefit of using a swing-away heat press is that it allows you to work quickly and efficiently as it does not require any alignment or repositioning of logos during pressing.
Swing Away Heat Press: How Does It Work?
A swing-away heat press is a great option for those who want to switch out their designs quickly. This type of heat press has some additional features that can make it easier for you to get the job done. Here are some tips for using your swing-away heat press:
Gather your materials. Before starting the development, make absolutely sure you have all of the necessary ingredients. This covers materials, designs, or any items needed for the job. Perhaps you should wait until you have everything you need before getting started.
Prepare the material. Clean the press thoroughly before you use it. You may also want to consider ironing or pressing it beforehand so that it doesn’t wrinkle or crease when placed on the press. You will always have a neat and professional finished product when you follow these instructions.
Place your design onto the material first, then place both onto your swing-away heat press and lockdown before pressing down on both sides with even pressure until desired results are achieved!
Conclusion
The Swing Away heat press table is a great choice for anyone looking for an easy-to-use, reliable, and consistently performing heat press table for their T-Shirt business. The Swing Away Heat Press is a top-rated press by many users on its amazon listing. Despite being used multiple times, the equipment has proven to be durable.