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How to Start a Heat Press Business: HTV vs Sublimation vs DTF (2026)
By Kerf & Press EditorialResearched by the Kerf & Press teamUpdated How we research & testResearched lab test pending
The short answer
Most apparel startups should begin with a 15 × 15 inch heat press and bought DTF transfers or HTV. That's the lowest cost and risk, and it works on cotton in any color. Add sublimation for white polyester and drinkware, and buy a DTF printer only once you print about 25+ square feet a week. Price each shirt with fees and shipping included.
The number
$150.99–$349
Source: Manufacturer product pages, checked Sept 2026
The lowest-risk way to start a heat press business is a 15 × 15 inch press plus either heat transfer vinyl (HTV) or bought DTF transfers. Both work on cotton in any color, need little equipment, and let you learn what sells before you buy a printer. Sublimation is excellent for white polyester and drinkware. An in-house DTF printer makes sense later, at steady volume.
Step 1: Pick your decoration method
| HTV | Sublimation | DTF, in-house | DTF, bought transfers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabrics | Cotton, poly, blends | 100% polyester is best; under 65% looks dull (Cricut) | Cotton, poly, blends | Cotton, poly, blends |
| Garment colors | Any | White or light only | Any | Any |
| Design type | 1–2 solid colors, text, numbers | Full color, photos | Full color, photos | Full color, photos |
| Gear besides the press | Vinyl cutter ($199–$399: Cricut Explore 5, Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha, Cricut Maker 4) | Sublimation printer (Sawgrass SG500 $275, Epson F170 $399 list) | DTF printer + curing oven (Procolored F13 + oven $2,799 sale) | None |
| Consumables per print | ≈ $2.41 per 10 × 10 in design (EasyWeed + 30% waste) | $0.25 paper per 11 × 17 sheet (MakerFlo) + ink | ≈ $1.11 incl. print labor (our DTF math) | ≈ $2.23 (Modfirst 22 × 60 sheet) |
| Hands-on time | High (weeding) | Low | Medium + daily maintenance | Low |
| Feel on the shirt | Smooth vinyl layer | None (dye in the fibers) | Thin film layer | Thin film layer |
Sources: fabric and color limits from Cricut’s sublimation guide; equipment prices from the manufacturer pages behind our product database; EasyWeed $39.99 per 12 in × 5 yd roll (Expressions Vinyl); sublimation paper from MakerFlo; DTF costs from our DTF profitability guide.
Step 2: Choose the press
For apparel, a 15 × 15 inch press covers most adult front designs, tote bags and pillow covers. Styles:
- Clamshell: opens like a mouth. Compact and fast, with less room to lay out a garment.
- Swing-away: the heat platen swings aside, so you’re not working under heat. Better for thick items.
- Auto-open: opens by itself when the timer ends, which cuts the risk of scorching.
- Handheld: fine for occasional use and odd shapes; harder to get even pressure on big batches.
Examples from our database (manufacturer prices, Sept 2026; each product page lists its source): VEVOR 15 × 15 ($150.99), HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 15 × 15 ($236 sale, $295.99 regular), Cricut AutoPress 2 15 × 15 ($349), HPN Signature Series 15 × 15 auto-open ($829.95), Hotronix Fusion IQ ($2,450). Compare them in our heat presses hub. Later add-ons: a hat press, a tumbler press or a mug press, if those products sell.
Step 3: Source blanks
| Blank | Example price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gildan G5000 heavy cotton tee | $2.59 sale (JonesTshirts), $3.32 (The Park Wholesale) | Works with HTV and DTF; 2XL+ and some colors cost more |
| 100% polyester white tee | $2.95 (The Stainless Depot) | For sublimation |
| Sublimation paper, 11 × 17 in | $24.95 per 100 sheets (MakerFlo) | About $0.25 a sheet |
| Siser EasyWeed HTV | $39.99 per 12 in × 5 yd roll (Expressions Vinyl) | About 1.9¢ per square inch |
| DTF gang sheet | $24.50 per 22 × 60 in (Modfirst) | About $2.67 per sq ft |
Blank tips:
- Order samples of every blank before you list it, and press a test on each color.
- Keep a size run in stock of your two best colors; order the rest per order.
- Wholesale sites often hide prices until you log in or reach the cart, so compare landed cost with shipping.
Step 4: Price each shirt (worked example)
Assumptions: Etsy sale at $24.00 + $5.00 shipping, Etsy fees of $3.21 (listing + 6.5% transaction + 3% + $0.25 processing on $29.00), shipping label $5.00 and mailer $0.50 (assumptions), your time at $20.00/hour. Sublimation ink is assumed at $0.30 per print, because we couldn’t find a reliable published per-print figure.
| Method | Blank | Transfer / consumables | Your minutes | Profit per shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HTV (1 color, 10 × 10 in) | $2.59 | $2.41 | 10 | $11.96 |
| Sublimation (white poly tee) | $2.95 | $0.55 | 4 | $15.46 |
| DTF printed in-house (10 × 12 in) | $2.59 | $1.11 | 5 | $14.92 |
| Bought DTF gang sheet (10 × 12 in) | $2.59 | $2.23 | 5 | $13.81 |
The in-house DTF row doesn’t include paying off the printer (see the DTF break-even). HTV’s weeding time is what makes it expensive per shirt, even though the vinyl is cheap. The spread between methods is a couple of dollars. Your price and shipping strategy matter more than the method.
Model your own numbers in the pricing calculator. The same formula from our pricing guide applies to apparel.
Team and bulk orders
Bulk orders (teams, schools, family reunions, companies) are where heat press shops often make steadier money. Quote a setup or design fee, then a per-piece price by quantity tier. Charge more for extra print locations (back, sleeve) and for 2XL+ sizes that cost you more. Take a deposit, and get the size list and spelling approved in writing.
Step 5: Decide where to sell
| Channel | Fees (US, Sept 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Etsy | $0.20 listing + 6.5% transaction + 3% + $0.25 processing | Personalized and niche designs do well; heavy competition on generic slogans |
| Amazon Handmade | 15% referral (min $0.30) | Requires approval; buyers expect fast shipping |
| Shopify Basic | $39/month + 2.9% + $0.30 per online card sale | For repeat and team customers you bring yourself |
| Faire (wholesale) | 15% commission + processing | For selling to boutiques at wholesale prices |
| Local and B2B | Card fees only | Teams, schools, churches, events, small businesses |
Full fee math: Etsy fees explained for makers.
Common beginner mistakes
- Skipping wash tests. Press a sample, wash it several times the way a customer would, and check for peeling or cracking before you sell that blank-and-transfer combination.
- Guessing time and temperature. Follow the transfer or vinyl maker’s instructions for each product. Settings for HTV, DTF and sublimation differ, and so do hot-peel and cold-peel films.
- Buying every blank color and size. Start with two or three colors in core sizes and order the rest per order.
- Underpricing 2XL+ and extra locations. Larger sizes cost more wholesale, and every extra print location adds a transfer and a press cycle.
- Buying a printer to save on transfers too early. Our DTF break-even table shows why volume has to come first.
- Using designs you don’t have rights to. A removed listing wastes your photos, reviews and search history.
Your first month
- Week 1: Buy the press, then sample blanks and a small gang sheet or a few rolls of HTV. Press test shirts and wash them to check durability.
- Week 2: Photograph finished shirts yourself. Write clear listings with size charts and care instructions.
- Week 3: Sell to a local team, club or business at a fair price, and track your minutes per shirt.
- Week 4: Recalculate prices with real times. Decide whether you need a cutter, a sublimation setup or, much later, a DTF printer.
For machine-by-machine specs, see the heat presses hub and the DTF & sublimation hub.
Specs side by side
Manufacturer-published specs. Lab results will be added as we test each machine.
| Spec | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Researched lab test pending | Researched lab test pending | Researched lab test pending |
| MSRP USD | $236 | $349 | $829.95 |
| Power drawW | 1,500 W | — | 1,500 W |
| Dimensionsin | 20 × 20 × 16 in | 21.0 × 16.2 × 11.6 in | 22.5 x 15 x 32 (D x W x H, open) |
| Weightlb | 36 lb | 41.9 lb | 75 lb |
| Heat plate sizein | 15 × 15 in | 15 × 15 in | 15 × 15 in |
| Press style | clamshell | clamshell | clamshell |
| Slide-out lower platen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Max item thicknessin | — | 1.8 in | — |
| Max temperature°F | 410 °F (highest listed) | 410 °F (highest listed) | 400 °F |
| Heat-up timemin | 4 min | — | — |
| Max timers | — | — | 999 s |
| Pressure | auto | auto | manual |
| Pressure rangelb | — | up to 220 | — |
| Opens automatically | Yes | — | Yes |
| Heating element | Dual-zone heating | — | — |
| Digital time/temp controls | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Presets | — | 4 | — |
| App connection | — | Bluetooth (Cricut Design Space mobile app) | — |
| Auto-off aftermin | 15 min | — | — |
| VoltageV | 110 V | — | 110 V |
| Warrantyyr | 1 yr | — | 1 yr |
| Where to buy | Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks. | Where to buy coming soon | Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks. |
- HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 15" x 15"Researched lab test pending
- MSRP
- $236
- Power draw
- 1,500 W
- Dimensions
- 20 × 20 × 16 in
- Weight
- 36 lb
- Heat plate size
- 15 × 15 in
- Press style
- clamshell
- Slide-out lower platen
- Yes
- Max temperature
- 410 °F (highest listed)
- Heat-up time
- 4 min
- Pressure
- auto
- Opens automatically
- Yes
- Heating element
- Dual-zone heating
- Digital time/temp controls
- Yes
- Auto-off after
- 15 min
- Voltage
- 110 V
- Warranty
- 1 yr
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
- Cricut AutoPress 2 15 in x 15 inResearched lab test pending
- MSRP
- $349
- Dimensions
- 21.0 × 16.2 × 11.6 in
- Weight
- 41.9 lb
- Heat plate size
- 15 × 15 in
- Press style
- clamshell
- Slide-out lower platen
- Yes
- Max item thickness
- 1.8 in
- Max temperature
- 410 °F (highest listed)
- Pressure
- auto
- Pressure range
- up to 220
- Digital time/temp controls
- Yes
- Presets
- 4
- App connection
- Bluetooth (Cricut Design Space mobile app)
Where to buy coming soon
- HPN Signature Series 15" x 15" Auto-Open Slide-Out ClamshellResearched lab test pending
- MSRP
- $829.95
- Power draw
- 1,500 W
- Dimensions
- 22.5 x 15 x 32 (D x W x H, open)
- Weight
- 75 lb
- Heat plate size
- 15 × 15 in
- Press style
- clamshell
- Slide-out lower platen
- Yes
- Max temperature
- 400 °F
- Max timer
- 999 s
- Pressure
- manual
- Opens automatically
- Yes
- Digital time/temp controls
- Yes
- Voltage
- 110 V
- Warranty
- 1 yr
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Manufacturer-published figures; not lab-measured. marks the highest (or lowest, where lower is better) listed value.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way to start a T-shirt business with a heat press?
A heat press plus bought DTF transfers. You skip the cutter, the printer and printer maintenance. Gang sheets from U.S. suppliers list at about $2.50–$3.02 per square foot, so a 10 × 12 inch full-front design costs about $2.09–$2.52 before shipping. HTV is similarly cheap per shirt but takes weeding time.
Can you sublimate on cotton?
Not directly with good results. Cricut's guidance is to use 100% polyester, notes that under 65% polyester gives dull results, and says sublimation won't show on dark fabrics. For cotton or dark shirts, use HTV or DTF.
Is DTF better than HTV?
They suit different jobs. HTV is great for one- or two-color names, numbers and text, and needs only a cutter. DTF handles full-color designs on any fabric color with no weeding. Many shops use both: HTV for team names and numbers, DTF for multi-color art.
What size heat press should I buy first?
A 15 × 15 inch press covers most adult shirt designs, tote bags and pillow covers, and it's the size most starter automatic presses come in. Add a hat press or tumbler press later if those products sell.
Do I need a license to sell custom shirts?
Business registration depends on your state and structure (the SBA says you usually don't need to register if you trade under your own legal name). You also need rights to any designs you print. Etsy removes listings on valid infringement reports. Children's clothing for ages 12 and under falls under CPSC children's product rules.
Sources
Every spec and number on this page links back to where it came from.
- Cricut — Sublimation and Infusible Ink with Cricut
- Expressions Vinyl — Siser EasyWeed 12 in × 5 yd roll ($39.99)
- JonesTshirts — Gildan G5000 heavy cotton T-shirt ($2.59 sale)
- The Park Wholesale — Gildan 5000 ($3.32)
- The Stainless Depot — Sublimatable white T-shirt, 100% polyester ($2.95)
- MakerFlo — Sublimation paper (pack prices)
- HTVRONT — Auto Heat Press 15 × 15
- Modfirst — DTF gang sheet 22 × 60 ($24.50)
- Ninja Transfers — DTF transfers pricing
- Procolored — F13 Panda DTF printer & oven
- Etsy — Creativity Standards (production partners)
- CPSC — Small batch manufacturers and third-party testing
- U.S. SBA — Register your business
- Etsy — Fees & Payments Policy
Update history
Site changelogNo revisions logged for this page yet. Corrections and re-tests will be listed here with dates.
Written & researched by
Kerf & Press Editorial
Research & lab team
We research and test laser engravers, heat presses, printers, cutters and embroidery machines for people running small personalization businesses. We buy our lab machines with our own money and publish our methods and raw data.