Are you eager to elevate your crafting projects with ease and professional results? Today, I’m showcasing the new HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2—a machine that’s perfect for crafters who need versatility and precision for their sublimation projects. Follow along as I create a holiday-themed gift basket featuring custom items made using this innovative press. Whether you’re new to heat pressing or an experienced crafter, this tutorial will guide you through each step to achieve flawless results.
Disclosure: I received the Press to review and test out. All opinion are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, at no additional cost to you
Using the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2 for Sublimation Projects
Why Choose the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2?
The HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2 is an impressive piece of equipment designed to make your crafting projects more efficient and consistent. With its enhanced features, you can achieve professional-quality results at home. Key features include:
- Large 15″ x 15″ Heat Plate: Ideal for handling various projects.
- Pull-Out Drawer: Provides a safe workspace without risk of touching the heat plate.
- Adjustable Pressure: Ranges from 50 to 170 pounds, allowing customization for different materials.
- Temperature Control up to 410°F: Perfect for various heat transfer applications.
- Timer: Adjustable up to 999 seconds for precise timing.
- Larger clearance: Press projects that are up to 1.77 inches thick.
- Fast Heat Time: Heats up faster than previous models.
Essential Supplies for Sublimation Projects:
To get started, make sure you have the following supplies on hand:
- HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2
- Heat gloves
- Heat tape and scissors
- Lint brush
- Butcher paper
- Sublimation paper
- Epson F170 sublimation printer
- Polyester apron
- Sublimation MDF ornament
- Large Sublimation towels
- Small Sublimation Towels
- Sublimation Ribbon
- Sublimation photo slate
Design used for:
- Apron and Towels
- Slate
- Ornament
- Ribbon and pocket designs are from Canva
I created a step by step video for you, check it out below:
Project 1: Creating a Custom Sublimation Apron
For the first project, we’ll sublimate a design onto a polyester apron—perfect for a holiday gift.
- Prepare the Apron: Place your apron on the heat press and use the press to remove any wrinkles and moisture. This ensures the sublimation ink will adhere evenly. I set the temperature to 395°F for 55 seconds with 50 pounds of pressure.
- Use a Lint Brush: Before applying your design, use a lint brush on the apron to remove any particles that could interfere with the transfer.
- Secure Your Design: Print your design on sublimation paper using your Epson F170 printer. Place the design face down on the apron and use heat tape to secure it.
- Protect with Butcher Paper: Place butcher paper over the design to prevent ink from transferring to the heat plate.
- Press: Close the drawer. The automatic mode on the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2 will start pressing immediately, so there’s no need to press additional buttons. You can turn this feature on or off by pressing the Automatic button.
- Reveal Your Work: Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the butcher paper and design to see the vibrant result.
Project 2: Adding Details to Apron Pockets
Adding details to smaller sections like apron pockets can make your project more unique.
- Insert Butcher Paper: Cut pieces of butcher paper and place them inside the pockets to prevent ink from bleeding through to the back.
- Position and Secure Designs: Print your smaller designs, position them on the pockets, and secure them with heat tape.
- Cover and Press: Place butcher paper over the designs and press using the same settings as before.
- Check for Bleed-Through: Remove the butcher paper and check that the ink didn’t transfer through. This ensures a clean look on both sides.
Project 3: Sublimating Towels
The next project involves sublimating on towels, which is perfect for creating personalized kitchen or bathroom items.
- Prep the Towels: Use towels that have a polyester side for sublimation. The PYD Life towels I used have one side as terry cloth and the other as polyester.
- Brush the Nap: Make sure the nap is brushed in the same direction using a lint roller. This will help the ink adhere evenly.
- Secure the Design: Position your sublimation print on the towel, center it, and use heat tape to secure it.
- Adjust Pressure: Increase the pressure to 70 pounds to account for the towel’s pile.
- Press: Use the same temperature and time settings as before (395°F for 55 seconds). Peek under the butcher paper to ensure the design transferred well.
- Final Touch: Carefully remove the butcher paper and design.
Project 4: Custom Sublimation Ribbon
Sublimated ribbon adds a special touch to any gift basket or project.
- Cut and Tape the Ribbon: Print a cute design on sublimation paper and cut the ribbon to the desired length. Place the ribbon on top of the print and secure it with heat tape.
- Adjust Settings: Lower the temperature to 375°F and set the time to 60 seconds.
- Place and Press: Lay the ribbon and print face down on butcher paper and press.
- Reveal: Flip it over to reveal the design. You can do both sides if needed, but one side worked well for my project.
Project 5: Sublimating a Custom Ornament Gift Tag
Ornaments can double as personalized gift tags.
- Prepare the Ornament: Cut your sublimation print into a circle that fits the ornament. Position it on one side and tape it down.
- Adjust Temperature: Set the press to 355°F for 60 seconds and increase the pressure to 90 pounds.
- Press and Repeat: Press one side, wait for it to cool, and then repeat for the other side.
- Handle with Heat Gloves: Always use heat gloves when handling the hot ornament.
Project 6: Sublimation on a Photo Slate
Finally, we’ll sublimate on a photo slate, which is a unique and long-lasting gift item.
- Set Up: Position your print face down on the photo slate. Unlike other sublimation projects, you press face-down for photo slate.
- Protect and Press: Place butcher paper over the slate to protect your heat press. Adjust the temperature to 375°F and set the time to 480 seconds with 110 pounds of pressure.
- Handle Carefully: After pressing, use heat gloves to remove the hot photo slate. The result is a beautiful, high-quality image transfer.
Packing Your Gift Basket
Once all the projects are complete, it’s time to assemble your gift basket:
- Include the apron, towels, ribbon, ornament, and photo slate, along with any other crafted items you wish to add.
- Arrange everything in a decorative basket and add filler material to make the items stand out.
Exclusive Discount Just for You!
Interested in getting the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2 for your own projects? Use my exclusive code Michelle60 at checkout to receive $60 off your purchase. Here’s how:
- Click this affiliate link to go to the HTVRONT site.
- Choose between the white and blue models.
- Add the heat press to your cart.
- Go back to the main page and choose a surprise box (sublimation, vinyl, or accessories).
- Enter the promo code Michelle60 to apply your discount.
Final Thoughts
The HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2 proved to be versatile and reliable throughout this tutorial. From sublimating aprons and towels to ribbons and photo slates, this press handled each project with ease. The adjustable pressure feature allowed for customization according to each material’s needs, making it an excellent choice for any crafter. If you’re looking to add a professional touch to your creations, this heat press is worth considering.
Thank you for following along, and I hope you feel inspired to create your own holiday gift basket filled with custom items. If you have any questions or need further assistance, drop a comment below.
Check out my full review and other projects made with this press!
Happy crafting!
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