#1 – S-650P $1,395 HIX 16x20 Auto-Open heat press. All digital with pressure gage.	#2 – HT-600P $1,175 HIX16x20 all digital heat press, with digital pressure gage.	#3 – HT-400P $955 digital heat press, with digital pressure gage. (shown with teflon pad protector)
#4 – STX20 $1,375 Stahls' 16x20 Auto-Open heat press. All digital with pressure gage.	#5 – MAXX20 $995 Stahls' 16x20 basic, all digital heat press. No pressure sensor.	#6–SwingMan 20P $1,435 HIX 16x20 easy open all digital, swing-away heat press.
#7 – MAXX15 $795 Stahls' 15x15 basic, all digital heat press. No pressure sensor.	#8 – MAXX CAP $595 Stahls' all digital cap press, with five optional platens.	#9 – Stahls' XS $1,595 Stahls' 16x20 digital swing away heat press.

The 16"x 20" S-650P auto-open clamshell heat press opens automatically, at the end of the heating cycle and without needing an air compressor. This press offers every benefit possible in a manual clamshell heat press.

Our hands-on Analysis of the HIX S-650P
What you get and why that’s good!

• What you get – 16x20 heating area
  Why that’s good – The 16x20 size covers the largest transfers you can buy or are likely to make.

• What you get – Manual close – Automatically opens
  Why that’s good – You use less energy and never have to worry about “over-cooking” your work, because the phone rang.

• What you get – Constant pressure gauge readout
  Why that’s good – You can easily maintain correct pressure no matter how thick or thin the item

• What you get – 1½” space between lower platen and press base
  Why that’s good – Easily do the front and back of a shirt by pulling it onto the platen, like an ironing board, doing one side, then reversing it and then doing the other side

• What you get – Tilting Lower Platen
  Why that’s good – This essential feature maintains even pressure on all items, even up to 7/8” thick

• What you get – Handle attaches to a 4”x 5” pressure plate on the top platen
  Why that’s good – This type of rugged construction means you can open and close the press many, many thousands of times and it just keeps “going and going”

• What you get – ETL Certified for electrical safety
  Why that’s good – The Electrical Testing Laboratory (an independent testing laboratory) certification seal means the press has passed very tough American safety standards.

• What you get – 100% American made, by Americans
  Why that’s good – For some this means nothing. For HIX and us, “All USA” is a source of pride that means quality workmanship, unyielding standards and American jobs

• What you get – Lifetime heating element warranty, one year general parts and labor
  Why that’s good – The warranty is an industry standard. The best fact about HIX is how seldom warranty work is ever needed. Having a good warranty is great. Seldom needing to use it is even better.

Conclusion: The majority of screen print shops use HIX heat presses for one reason: rugged dependability! Screen print shops often deal with frequent high-volume orders. They not only need dependable, flexible heat presses, they need rugged machines that will withstand a lot of wear and tear.

Click Here, for an operating manual in PDF format

Purchase includes Unlimited FREE technical support!
*FREE shipping on this press

Our hands-on Analysis of the HIX HT-600P
What you get and why that’s good!

• What you get – 16x20 heating area
  Why that’s good – Except for the auto-open feature, this press has every desirable feature as the S-650P. That makes this press $210 cheaper than the S-650P.

• What you get – Manual open and close
  Why that’s good – You use less energy and never have to worry about “over-cooking” your work, because the phone rang.

• What you get – Constant pressure gauge readout
  Why that’s good – You can easily maintain correct pressure no matter how thick or thin the item

• What you get – 1½” space between lower platen and press base
  Why that’s good – Easily do the front and back of a shirt by pulling it onto the platen, like an ironing board, doing one side, then reversing it and then doing the other side

• What you get – Tilting Lower Platen
  Why that’s good – This essential feature maintains even pressure on all items, even up to 7/8” thick

• What you get – Handle attaches to a 4”x 5” pressure plate on the top platen
  Why that’s good – This type of rugged construction means you can open and close the press many, many thousands of times and it just keeps “going and going”

• What you get – ETL Certified for electrical safety
  Why that’s good – The Electrical Testing Laboratory (an independent testing laboratory) certification seal means the press has passed very tough American safety standards.

• What you get – 100% American made, by Americans
  Why that’s good – For some this means nothing. For HIX and us, “All USA” is a source of pride that means quality workmanship, unyielding standards and American jobs

• What you get – Lifetime heating element warranty, one year general parts and labor
  Why that’s good – The warranty is an industry standard. The best fact about HIX is how seldom warranty work is ever needed. Having a good warranty is great. Seldom needing to use it is even better.

Click Here for even more details about this heat press

Conclusion: Worldwide, the HT-600P is used by thousands of screen print shops. They often deal with frequent high-volume orders and must have a heat press that holds up to heavy-duty use. HIX presses are like a combined Timex watch and Energizer Bunny: They take a lickin’ and keep on going and going and…

Purchase includes Unlimited FREE technical support!

The 15"x 15" HT-400P clamshell heat press is exactly the same as the HT-600P except it is a smaller size. This press offers compact size, with advanced features and rugged dependability.

Our hands-on Analysis of the HIX HT-400P
What you get and why that’s good!

• What you get – 15x15 heating area
  Why that’s good – The 15x15 size covers 98% of transfers that you are likely to make or buy. The compact size also means less weight, making it ideal for mobile retail operations.

• What you get – Manual open and close
  Why that’s good – You give up nothing with this press except the auto-open feature and a 16x20 size. This makes the press $174 cheaper than the HT-600P and $384 cheaper than the S-650P auto-open heat press.

• What you get – Constant pressure gauge readout
  Why that’s good – Going from the thickness of a shirt to a sweat to a jacket requires pressure adjustments. A digital gauge keeps you accurate and efficient.

• What you get – 1½” space between lower platen and press base
  Why that’s good – This benefit allows you to pull a shirt onto the bottom platen, like an ironing board. Pull the shirt off, reverse it and then pull it back on to do the other side.

• What you get – Tilting Lower Platen
  Why that’s good – A clamshell press “pinches”, unless it can equalize pressure. The tilting lower platen keep pressure equal, for a totally good “stick”.

• What you get – Handle attaches to a 4”x 5” pressure plate on the top platen
  Why that’s good – How a top platen attaches to the handle is very important. That’s what keeps pressure strong and even and improves press durability.

• What you get – ETL Certified for electrical safety
  Why that’s good – The Electrical Testing Laboratory (an independent testing laboratory) certification seal means the press has passed very tough American safety standards.

• What you get – 100% American made, by Americans
  Why that’s good – For some this means nothing. For HIX and us, “All USA” is a source of pride that means quality workmanship, unyielding standards and American jobs.

• What you get – Lifetime heating element warranty, one year general parts and labor
  Why that’s good – The warranty is an industry standard. With HIX, the best fact is how seldom warranty work is ever needed. As former retailers, we used our first HIX in 1978. In 15+ years we only had to replace a thermostat once!

Click Here for even more details about this heat press

Conclusion: The HIX HT-400P is considered to be a real workhorse, by anyone who has ever used it. While this press is #3 in total sales, it’s close to being #1 for many new folks. The reason is simple. You get a lotta bang for the buck.

Purchase includes Unlimited FREE technical support!

The Hotronix press brand is produced by well-known manufacturer, Stahls'. This 16"x 20" is their top offering in the auto-opening family of presses. It combines space-age design with advanced functionality. While some types of garments can be pulled over the bottom platen, it is neither quick nor easy.

Our hands-on Analysis of the Hotronix STX20
What you get and why that’s good!

• What you get – 16x20 heating area
  Why that’s good – The 16x20 size covers the largest transfers you can buy or are likely to make.

• What you get – Auto open and manual close
  Why that’s good – On long jobs you will use half the energy because you only have to manually close the press. This feature also insures that you will never “over-cook” a garment because you are called away from the press.

• What you get – Digital time, temperature and pressure gauge readout
  Why that’s good – Digital time and temperature is quickly and easily set from the LCD control panel. Pressure readings (red in the picture) are read on the control panel and adjusted with the pressure knob, located in the top center of the press.

• What you get – Magnetic assist locking system
  Why that’s good – While the main “muscle-power” savings comes from the press auto-opening, the magnetic lock also contributes to closing the press. Just before the press “locks”, the magnetic lock kicks in and assists slightly in the final manual lock of the press.

• What you get – Floating upper platen
  Why that’s good – To keep even pressure, all clamshell heat presses must have either a top or a bottom that moves. The upper platen of the STX20 is designed to swing free. As the press is closed, gravity causes the top to self-level, ensuring a “flat” close and even pressure.

• What you get – Optional Bottom Platens
  Why that’s good – Occasionally you can deal with small items that have seams, zippers or buttons that make it impossible to put the entire item on a 16x20 bottom. Stahls' offers a 7” round, 8x10 and 6x10 optional bottom attachments for those occasions. Unscrew one wing nut, remove the 16x20 platen and slip the smaller platen into the receiver slot.

• What you get – UL/ULC/CE/ROHS Approved
  Why that’s good – The UL (Underwriters Laboratory) seal means the heat press has passed very tough American safety standards and is certified electrically safe.

• What you get – Lifetime heating element warranty, one year general parts and labor
  Why that’s good – The warranty is a USA industry standard. However, the Hotronix brand is Stahls' top of the line presses and gets extra TLC.

Click Here for even more details about this heat press

Conclusion: The Hotronix 16x20 STX20 auto-opening press is an effective garment decorating heat press. First introduced in late 2006, the press has gained a loyal following and continues to enjoy success. Call us at 800-908-9916 for more information.

Purchase includes Unlimited FREE technical support!

The MAXX series of heat presses are manufactured by Stahls'. This 16"x 20" is their mid-level offering in the digital family of presses. It combines space-age design with advanced functionality (but, no pressure sensor). T-shirts cannot be pulled over the bottom platen.

Our hands-on Analysis of the HIX MAXX20
What you get and why that’s good!

• What you get – 16x20 heating area
  Why that’s good – The 16x20 size covers the largest transfers you can buy or are likely to make.

• What you get – Manual open and close
  Why that’s good – Except for the auto-open feature, and pressure sensor, this press has every desirable feature as the STX20. That makes this press $380 cheaper than the STX20.

• What you get – Digital time, temperature and pressure gauge readout
  Why that’s good – Digital time and temperature is quickly and easily set from the LCD control panel. Pressure readings (red in the picture) are read on the control panel and adjusted with the pressure knob, located in the top center of the press.

• What you get – 1½” space between lower platen and press base
  Why that’s good – This benefit allows you to pull a shirt onto the bottom platen, like an ironing board. Pull the shirt off, reverse it and then pull it back on to do the other side.

• What you get – Floating upper platen
  Why that’s good – The upper platen of the MAXX20 is designed to swing free. As the press is closed, gravity causes the top to self-level, ensuring a “flat” close and even pressure.

• What you get – UL/ULC/CE/ROHS compliant
  Why that’s good – While Stahls' MAXX presses do not have an actual UL seal, they do warrant that their presses meet UL safety standard minimums.

• What you get – Lifetime heating element warranty, one year general parts and labor
  Why that’s good – The warranty is a USA industry standard.

Conclusion: The Stahls' 16x20 MAXX20 digital clamshell press is an effective garment decorating heat press. The press was introduced in 2008 as their standard all-digital heat press. Call us at 800-908-9916 for more information.

Purchase includes Unlimited FREE technical support!

The SwingMan 20P is HIX Corp. top of the line swing-away heat press. While there is no significant advantage in using a swing-away heat press for T-shirt decorating, some prefer that type because the heater block is swung to the right during loading and unloading. T-shirts cannot be pulled over the bottom platen.

Our hands-on Analysis of the SwingMan 20P
What you get and why that’s good!

• What you get – 16x20 heating area
  Why that’s good – The 16x20 size covers the largest transfers you can buy or are likely to make. Remember it’s only the size of the transfer that counts. The shirt itself could fit Godzilla.

• What you get – Integrated digital time and temperature
  Why that’s good – Very cool! Like all HIX digital presses, temperature is set by pushing one program button and then using the arrow buttons to set the time and temperature that you want.

• What you get – Swing-away design
  Why that’s good – As we stated at the beginning, a swing-away press doesn’t give you any advantage, when decorating T-shirts. However, some folks just don’t like the idea of the heat being up over them. HIX even provides a handy “swing-arm” to make swinging the platen easy.

• What you get – Very easy open and close function
  Why that’s good – A small child can open and close this press! The housing on the top of the press contains what HIX calls “progressive linkage”. In plain English, it works like a pulley. A small amount of force on one end, produces a much greater force on the other end. That’s my ugly arm closing the press with two fingers.

• What you get – Integrated digital time and temperature
  Why that’s good – Very cool! Like all HIX digital presses, temperature is set by pushing one program button and then using the arrow buttons to set the time and temperature that you want.

• What you get – Handle attaches to a 4”x 5” pressure plate on the top platen
  Why that’s good – How a top platen attaches to the handle is very important. That’s what keeps pressure strong and even and improves press durability.

• What you get – ETL Certified for electrical safety
  Why that’s good – The Electrical Testing Laboratory (an independent testing laboratory) certification seal means the press has passed very tough American safety standards.

• What you get – 100% American made, by Americans
  Why that’s good – For some this means nothing. For HIX and us, “All USA” is a source of pride that means quality workmanship, unyielding standards and American jobs.

• What you get – Lifetime heating element warranty, one year general parts and labor
  Why that’s good – The warranty is an industry standard. With HIX, the warranty is backed by a company that has been around since 1962.

Conclusion: The HIX 16x20 swing-away heat press is an effective garment decorating machine. While not necessary for just shirts, some need to look straight down, to align work correctly. Others just prefer to have the heat to one side, while they are working.

Purchase includes Unlimited FREE technical support!

The MAXX series of heat presses are manufactured by Stahls'. This 15"x 15" is their mid-level offering in the digital family of presses. It combines space-age design with advanced functionality (but, no pressure sensor). T-shirts cannot be pulled over the bottom platen.

Our hands-on Analysis of the MAXX15
What you get and why that’s good!

• What you get – 15x15 heating area
  Why that’s good – The 15x15 size covers 98% of transfers that you are likely to make or buy. The compact size also means less weight, making it ideal for mobile retail operations.

• What you get – Manual open and close
  Why that’s good – This press has every feature of the MAXX20, except that it is smaller. That makes this press $200 cheaper than the MAXX20.

• What you get – Digital time, temperature and pressure gauge readout
  Why that’s good – Digital time and temperature is quickly and easily set from the LCD control panel. Pressure readings (red in the picture) are read on the control panel and adjusted with the pressure knob, located in the top center of the press.

• What you get – Floating upper platen
  Why that’s good – To keep even pressure, all clamshell heat presses must have either a top or a bottom that moves. The upper platen of the MAXX20 is designed to swing free. As the press is closed, gravity causes the top to self-level, ensuring a “flat” close and even pressure.

• What you get – UL/ULC/CE/ROHS compliant
  Why that’s good – While Stahls' presses do not have an actual UL seal, they do warrant that their presses meet UL safety standard minimums.

• What you get – Handle attaches to a 4”x 5” pressure plate on the top platen
  Why that’s good – How a top platen attaches to the handle is very important. That’s what keeps pressure strong and even and improves press durability.

• What you get – Lifetime heating element warranty, one year general parts and labor
  Why that’s good – The warranty is an industry standard.

Conclusion: The Stahls' 15x15 MAXX15 digital clamshell press is an effective garment decorating heat press. The press was introduced in 2008 as their standard all-digital heat press. At $795, it is our cheapest, all-digital heat press. Call us at 800-908-9916 for more information.

Purchase includes Unlimited FREE technical support!

The MAXX digital cap press is shipped with a 3.5x6 lower platen. An additional five other optional platens are also available for use with different styles and sizes of caps.

Our hands-on Analysis of the MAXX Cap Press
What you get and why that’s good!

• What you get – All digital time and temperature
  Why that’s good – Cap presses often do many different types of transfers. All digital means that you can quickly and easily change time and temperature, when needed.

• What you get – Five other optional sized platens
  Why that’s good – The width and depth of each platen is different. This means that no matter the type of cap, there is a platen that fits that cap.

• What you get – Quick change platens
  Why that’s good – The platens are securely held by male/female centering pins. There is no fooling around with screws and screwdrivers. Pull one platen straight up and out; put another in its’ place.

• What you get – 500 watts of heating power
  Why that’s good – This is 50 watts more than its closest competitor. Not only does the press do caps, quickly and efficiently, it can do more (see below).

• What you get – More than just a cap press
  Why that’s good – Because of the cap press power and multi-sized platens, many use their MAXX cap press to apply transfers to T-shirt sleeves and pockets and even iron-on patches to jeans.

• What you get – UL/ULC/CE/ROHS compliant
  Why that’s good – While Stahls' presses do not have an actual UL seal, they do warrant that their presses meet UL safety standard minimums.

• What you get – Lifetime heating element warranty, one year general parts and labor
  Why that’s good – The warranty is an industry standard.

Conclusion: The Stahls' MAXX digital cap press is an effective hat and garment decorating heat press. The press was introduced in 2008 as their standard all-digital cap heat press. Call us at 800-908-9916 for more information.

Purchase includes Unlimited FREE technical support!

The 16x20 Hotronix XS is Stahls' top of the line swing-away heat press. While not cheap, if your preference is for a 16x20 swing-away heat press, there is none better, or with more features.

Our hands-on Analysis of the Hotronix XS
What you get and why that’s good!

• What you get – 16x20 heating area
  Why that’s good – The 16x20 size covers the largest transfers you can buy or are likely to make. Remember it’s only the size of the transfer that counts. The shirt itself could fit Godzilla.

• What you get – Push-button digital time, temperature and pressure gage
  Why that’s good – Very cool! This press is so sophisticated that it doesn’t even use up and down arrows, like other presses: push a button, punch in the time, set, done!

• What you get – Programmable Presets
  Why that’s good – If your work involves a lot of different times and temperatures, you can program each and then select which you want, with the push of a button.

• What you get – Swing-away design and swing-arm handle
  Why that’s good – Precision ball-bearings make swinging the platen fingertip easy, while the separate swing-arm handle provides convenience.

• What you get – Very easy open and close function
  Why that’s good – Opening and closing this press is also “fingertip easy”. The small handle attaches to a large cam, inside the housing, for superior mechanical advantage.

• What you get – Optional Bottom Platens
  Why that’s good – Occasionally you can deal with small items that have seams, zippers or buttons that make it impossible to put the entire item on a 16x20 bottom. Stahls' offers a 7” round, 8x10 and 6x10 optional bottom attachments for those occasions. Unscrew one wing nut, remove the 16x20 platen and slip the smaller platen into the receiver slot.

• What you get – UL/ULC/CE/ROHS Approved
  Why that’s good – The UL (Underwriters Laboratory) seal means the heat press has passed very tough American safety standards and is certified electrically safe.

• What you get – Lifetime heating element warranty, one year general parts and labor
  Why that’s good – The press not only has an excellent warranty, you also have the security of a press made to American standards.

Conclusion: The Stahls' 16x20 swing-away heat press is an effective garment decorating machine. While not necessary for just shirts, some need to look straight down, to align work correctly. Others just prefer to have the heat to one side, while they are working. Call us at 800-908-9916 for more information.

Purchase includes Unlimited FREE technical support!

This HIX air operated, automatic heat press can be described with three accurate phrases: easy to use, highly efficient productivity and rugged dependability. While it is #10 by volume, it is #1 among shops that need high productivity and energy saving efficiency.

Our hands-on Analysis of the HIX 16x20 Air Automatic
What you get and why that’s good!

• What you get – 16x20 heating area
  Why that’s good – The 16x20 size covers the largest transfers you can buy or are likely to make.

• What you get – Clamshell (up and down close) Design
  Why that’s good – Clamshell press work faster, because you don’t have to waste time and energy, swinging them out and back.

• What you get – Bottom air close and lock
  Why that’s good – While you pull the top down manually, there is no resistance (literally, less than the weight of your arm pulls it down). When the top platen gets parallel to the bottom, it stops, the air activates and the bottom pushes up, closing and locking the press.

• What you get – Complete Air Open
  Why that’s good – When the heat cycle is finished, the bottom platen goes down, the press unlocks and the top platen goes all the way up, by itself. All of this happens automatically.

• What you get – Air Controlled Pressure
  Why that’s good – It’s fast. You just select the pressure by adjusting the air regulator on the 10 gallon compressor (sold separately). It’s efficient. If you are doing the same transfer, but on different items, the air regulator keeps the pressure the same, no matter how thick or thin the item.

• What you get – 1½” space between lower platen and press base
  Why that’s good – Easily do the front and back of a shirt by pulling it onto the platen, like an ironing board, doing one side, then reversing it and then doing the other side.

• What you get – Prepress Switch
  Why that’s good – It’s a good idea to press a shirt for a few seconds, to iron out wrinkles and moisture. Pushing the switch breaks the circuit for a second and the press opens, for you to apply a transfer. The switch is spring-loaded so you don’t have to push it again to complete the circuit.

• What you get – Handle attaches to a 4”x 5” pressure plate on the top platen
  Why that’s good – This type of rugged construction means the press can open and close many tens of thousands of times (200,000 is one record) and it just keeps “going and going".

• What you get – ETL Certified for electrical safety
  Why that’s good – The Electrical Testing Laboratory (an independent testing laboratory) certification seal means the press has passed very tough American safety standards.

• What you get – 100% American made, by Americans
  Why that’s good – For some this means nothing. For HIX and us, “All USA” is a source of pride that means quality workmanship, unyielding standards and American jobs

• What you get – Lifetime heating element warranty, one year general parts and labor
  Why that’s good – The warranty is an industry standard. The best fact about HIX is how seldom warranty work is ever needed. Having a good warranty is great. Seldom needing to use it is even better.

Conclusion: Many higher volume shops use HIX heat presses for one reason: rugged dependability! Screen print shops, for example, often deal with frequent high-volume orders. They not only need dependable, flexible heat presses, they need rugged machines that will withstand a lot of wear and tear.

Note: an air compressor can be a bit noisy, so be mindful of that, when selecting a location. Also, HIX offers an air compressor but we suggest Lowe’s or Sears. They will have better selections and prices.

Purchase includes Unlimited FREE technical support!

As you consider heat press choices, keep this in mind: It may well be that no one heat press (that fits into your budget) has every feature that you would like to have. In that case, pick what are the most important features that you need.

If you are still not sure, continue your studies and then call us (owners Jack or Roy – 800-908-9916). We’ve used heat presses for decades. We’ll ask questions, determine needs and then give you a straight-up opinion.

Study Guide – The next page begins a review of all heat presses (by manufacturer), starting with HIX. If you don’t need any more heat press knowledge, there is another option below.

Go to the top of the page
Go to the HIX page
Skip more press info, but continue my studies go to Starting Your Business

*Free shipping - Includes ground service to the
48 contiguous US states.

Updated: Friday September 10, 2010