The ONE Tool Every Heat Press Owner Should Never Skip

If you've ever struggled to get heat transfer vinyl or DTF transfers to apply to items like canvas bags, onesies, or sweatshirts with pockets - there's an easy fix!

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The problem probably isn't your materials or your heat press temperature - it's PRESSURE.

And the solution is simpler than you might think: a pressing pillow.

What is a Pressing Pillow?

A pressing pillow is a heat-resistant cushion, usually made of foam wrapped in teflon, that you place on your heat press platen (the bottom plate) or inside your substrate before pressing.

Unlike the completely solid surface of your heat press, a pressing pillow has give to it.

When you place a canvas tote bag with thick straps on a solid heat press platen, those straps create a barrier. The top heating plate can't push past those straps to reach the fabric underneath so there's a barrier between the press and the HTV or DTF transfer.

The straps essentially "stop" the press from making full contact with your design area.

But when you add a pressing pillow under the area of the transfer, those straps can push down slightly into the cushioned surface while the bag fabric is pushed up - allowing the heating plate to make better contact with your transfer

I recommend using a pressing pillow whenever you're heat pressing, but it's especially important when you have certain types of blanks like canvas and tote bags with straps, baby onesies with snaps and thick seams, sweatshirts with front kangaroo pockets or zippers and thick seams.

Pressing pillows comes in different sizes and shapes. You can grab them on Amazon or even make your own pressing pillows.

You want to use a size and shape that best matches the size of the transfer.

Position the pillow under the area where your transfer is going to be applied. You can place it in or under the garment being pressed.

Even with a pressing pillow though, getting the right pressure is harder on some items than it is on others. For items like sweatshirts place the pressing pillow under the main chest area but try to have the hood (and if possible the front pocket) hanging off the heat press to avoid the added bulk.

On baby outfits, unsnap the bottom and slide the long narrow pressing pillow inside.

Thick canvas bags are notoriously difficult to heat press due to the straps - but definitely possible with a pressing pillow and a few other tricks.

I use a multi-press technique for bags and get a perfect result every time!

Check out the full video on how to apply DTF or HTV to bags with straps on Silhouette U. Not yet a member, no problem you can preview the video (and the entire 700+ video library) before you join.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!

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