Don’t Do That: 7 Heat Printing Mistakes to Avoid

Heat printing is one of the easiest ways to decorate apparel. But here’s the truth: “easy” doesn’t mean foolproof. Some of the most common “oops” moments happen because decorators think, how hard can it be? (Spoiler alert: hard enough to ruin an order if you’re not careful.)

Here are the top mistakes we see heat printers make - the don’ts - and what to do instead.

1. Don’t Skimp on Your Heat Press

That bargain-bin heat press might look tempting, but inconsistent pressure and uneven temps will cost you way more in ruined blanks than you’ll ever save.

If you’re serious about heat printing, your press is your foundation. We recommend Insta presses for their craftsmanship and longevity. They don’t bother with unnecessary bells and whistles (read: things that break). They’re simple, reliable, and built to last.

Think of your roadmap like this:

➤ Entry-level press: Fine for hobbyists or testing the waters.
➤ Mid-tier press: More consistent, better for decorators taking steady orders.
➤ Pro-grade: The endgame tool for serious business.

💡 Do This Instead: Buy the best press you can afford today, then level up as your business grows. Treat it like a tool, not a toy.

2. Don’t Guess on Time, Temperature & Pressure

“Close enough” doesn’t cut it. The goal isn’t just to make a transfer stick; the goal is durability through 75+ wash/dry cycles.

Some decorators under-apply to avoid press marks or scorching. Don’t do that. You’re cheating your customer and your reputation. Instead, solve those problems with the right accessories - heat press pads, parchment paper, or lower-profile platens.

💡 Do This Instead: Follow the manufacturer’s recipe exactly. Time, temp, and pressure are non-negotiable.

3. Don’t Skip the Pre-Press on Cotton

Here’s a hot take: you can skip most pre-pressing. Polyester, tri-blends, performance tees? Usually fine. But cotton? Never.

Moisture is the silent killer of heat printing, and cotton loves to hold it. If it’s trapped in the fabric, your transfer won’t bond correctly.

💡 Do This Instead: Pre-press cotton for 3–5 seconds until you don’t see any steam escaping. Then, and only then, apply your transfer.

4. Don’t Rush the Peel

Peeling is an art form. Too soon and you’ll lift the ink. Too late and the carrier sheet is now part of your design.

The best practice? Peel from the bottom corner diagonally to the top corner. Smooth and steady.

👉 Pro tip: Struggle to lift the corner in time for a hot peel? Fold back a tiny edge before pressing so you’ve got a quick-grab tab. (Nail-biters, this one’s for you.)

💡 Do This Instead: Know your peel type (hot, warm, cold), follow the timing, and peel smart.

5. Don’t Forget to Test Print

One ruined shirt is annoying. Ten ruined shirts? That’s lost profit.

Test prints are your insurance policy - especially with new garments or specialty transfers like puff, shimmer, or glitter.

💡 Do This Instead: Always do a test press. Build “test garment” costs into your pricing so it never feels like wasted money.

6. Don’t Ignore Care Instructions

You may have nailed the application, but if your customer washes it wrong, guess who they’ll blame when it cracks, peels, or fades? (Hint: not themselves.)

Care instructions protect your work and your reputation. Wash cold, inside out, no bleach, tumble dry low.

💡 Do This Instead: Pass along care instructions with every order. Print them on invoices, hang tags, or slip in a branded care card.

7. Don’t Use That Cover Sheet

Teflon sheets sound protective, but in reality, they rob you of heat and can leave an unwanted sheen on polyester. That equals under-application and unhappy customers.

💡 Do This Instead: Press bare unless the transfer specifically calls for protection. If your press has a semi-permanent Teflon cover fixed to the top platen, adjust settings accordingly, but don’t stack a cover sheet on top just because it feels safer.

Quick Q&A: Heat Printing FAQs

Q: Can I use one setting for every transfer?
A: Nope. Every transfer type (screen print, DTF, sublimation, puff, glitter) has its own recipe. Respect it.

Q: How do I avoid scorch marks on polyester?
A: Use low-temp transfers, cover with parchment or a silicone pad (not Teflon), and adjust your dwell time accordingly. Always test first.

Q: What’s the best way to speed up production without cutting corners?
A: Invest in interchangeable platens. Faster setups = more output without risking quality.

Q: Do I really need to spend thousands on a press?
A: Not right away. Start where you can, but pro-grade presses pay for themselves in fewer mistakes and more consistent results.

Bottom Line

Heat printing is simple, but success lives in the details. Skip these don’ts, follow the do’s, and you’ll spend less time re-pressing garments and more time cashing in on your creativity.

Because the difference between an amateur and a pro isn’t how flashy the equipment looks - it’s how consistent the results are.