Would friends describe you like fun or quirky?
Do you like standing out and hate sitting still?
We’re about to review several heat presses boasting the option of printing on shoes. We’ll consider their differences and each model’s strength and weaknesses before deciding on the best model for this category. So keep reading, because this article might be just the thing for you!
Some General Information About Heat Presses For Shoes
What To Expect?
Most manufacturers don’t make heat presses that can print on shoes. If this is something you desire, you will have to pay close attention to machine specifications such as allowed materials, maximum size, and others. It is unlikely you will find a dedicated heat press for shoes, much less a wide variety of them.
Important Factors
What you need in a shoe heat press is a reliable machine that will adjust to the contour of your shoe and print on the whole surface. You should make sure the press comes with an attachment for printing on small, odd surfaces. If you want to experiment with a heat press that’s intended for a different use, make sure you try it out on a model that can be returned. You don’t want to get stuck with a machine that doesn’t do what you need it to do.
Where To Look?
Your best bet with novelty heat press machines is to look online. Stores like Amazon and eBay are most likely to have a larger selection of machines for any use. For this particular niche of heat presses, I’ve found the most offers on AliExpress.
Heat Press Price Range
As with any appliance, you can choose to skimp on quality in favor of price, or the other way around. Though with heat presses for shoes the situation is somewhat different. The best-reviewed heat press machine in this category also happens to be the cheapest one. Expect to find a heat press for $100 to $1000.
Best 3 Heat Press Machine For Shoes
Swing Away Heat Press
Kunhewuhua Heat Press For Shoes
Made In China
First up we have the Kunhewuhua heat press that boasts its shoe specialization in its name. It has a 1400 Watt engine and a 12×15” platen. It’s made in China and requires you to choose if you want a 110 Volt outlet or a 220 one, depending on the standard in your country.
A Special Lower Platen
This shoe heat press is made in a swing-away style. It has a uniquely shaped lower platen that allows it to specialize in transferring on shoes and socks. This also means you likely won’t be able to use it on shirts or tiles like most heat presses with a platen.
Standard Heat Press Design
The Kunhewuhua heat press for shoes works on temperatures up to 250 Celsius. It has a small but purposeful screen placed on the left side of the machine. Next to the display box is the pressure-adjustment knob. The machine can be bolted down into your working surface to ensure stability. Design-wise, this heat press is black with some metallic accents.
- Specially designed lower platen
- Made in China
- Generic design
- On the expensive side
Cheap Heat Press
Cricut Easy Press Mini
The Smallest Heat Press
This curiously shaped mini-press measures just 3.6×6.3×7.8” and weighs about a pound. It consists of an insulated base and a small, elegant press designed to perfectly fit into your hand. The Mini press is white and raspberry pink, and its base is black. It can tackle any small, unique project you throw at it, and be yours for less than $100!
No Place Is Out Of Reach
The Cricut Mini press can get between buttons and seams and many other difficult to reach places that would be impossible for a regular heat press to cover. If you’re decorating shoes, this machine could quickly become your go-to heat press for sandals and baby shoes. While its small size is very useful, the Mini press won’t get you far on larger projects.
Fun, Effortless Transfers
This heat press has three heat settings, indicated on its side. It also automatically turns off, if you enable that feature. Really handy if you’re forgetful, or doing several things at a time. The Mini Press boasts an advanced heating plate that will effortlessly glide over any surface you choose to print on.
- Small and portable
- Tackles the smallest projects
- Very cheap
Professional Heat Press
Multifunctional Heat Press Machine By Fencia
A Win-Win For You
This sturdy, silver heat press has a powerful 1400 Watt engine and boasts 3 interchangeable lower platens. The Fencia heat press machine is somewhat expensive, but it’s worth it for a well-rounded, multifunctional machine.
3 Different Platens
One of the 3 platens is dedicated to printing on shoes and socks, another is for pants and sleeves and the third is a regular 15×11.4” t-shirt platen. This means that with this heat-press, you don’t have to lose on versatility. You can still print on any flat item, not just shoes.
Standard Controls
This heat press is made in the swing-away style, which is safer to work with but demands more space. The pressure is controlled by turning the top-mounted pressure knob. Time and temperature are controlled on the digital LCD timer. The temperature range of this press is 0-250 Celsius and you can set up an alarm to warn you when the transfer is over.
- Strong engine
- 3 different lower platens
- Swing away style
Conclusion – Which Heat Press For Shoes Is The Best?
If you need a heat press you will use occasionally, for small projects, I wholeheartedly endorse the Cricut Mini Press. It’s the definition of small and portable, gets the job done, and you can put it away in a drawer, a trait not often found in heat presses. If you intend to use your heat press a lot and for various projects, one of which is shoes, then definitely get the Multifunctional heat press by Fencia. It can do almost anything you want and its price is completely in line with that.
If you didn’t like any of these heat presses, click here for an article about the best heat presses on the market. If you liked these presses but need more versatility, consider this article on the best combo heat presses.