F2C Heat Press Machines – Should You Avoid Them?

Should you get an F2C Heat Press?

 

If  you’ve been looking for a heat press for any length of time, you will have seen likely seen F2C heat press machines. The brand has been around for many years now, which is a good sign when looking for a new press! The machines are popular, but let’s take a closer look at them!

F2C Heat Press Review

 

fathers day tshirt heat press

 

F2C Direct has been selling heat press machines since 2014, and has very positive overall customer satisfaction ratings.

 

Because these machines are very similar to those available from other sellers, it makes it hard to decide which seller to buy from. However, since F2C do have a very high overall customer satisfaction rating, they are well worth considering.

 

F2C heat press machines are used for applying heat transfers:

  • Cotton and polyester garments (shirts, polos, tees)
  • Sports jerseys
  • Tote bags
  • Coated ceramic tiles
  • Sweatpants
  • Jigsaw puzzles
  • Mousepads
  • Baby or kids clothes
  • Wooden items
  • Dog tags, license plates and other metals

 

What types of transfers can you press?

 

There are all sorts of heat transfers that you can get into. You can buy transfers pre-made, otherwise you will need further equipment to produce your own.

 

Making your own vinyl transfers will require vinyl sheets and a vinyl cutting machine, while making sublimation transfers will require sublimation printing supplies.

 

Types of transfers include:

  • Heat transfer vinyl (HTV)
  • Smoothed, flocked or glittered HTV
  • Rhinestones
  • Inkjet transfers
  • Sublimation transfers
  • And the major majority of transfer papers

 

Sublimation transfers require the most heat (around 400℉) and can be the trickiest transfer to get right. You can see our article on sublimation printing for more info.

 

F2C 15 x 15 Heat Press

 

f2c pro heat press

 

F2C’s 15 x 15 inch heat press is a solid home and hobby heat press machine – it might also be suitable for a small start up t-shirt business.

 

15 x 15 inch machines are a good size to have for home use. It’s not so small that you have trouble pressing large t-shirts, but not so big that it dominates the room it is in. Clamshells are also a good style for in the home or garage, not needing a ton of space to open and swivel around.

 

Features:

  • Digital LCD time and temperature display
  • A thickened top platen
  • Adjustable pressure knob
  • Solid steel frame making it very hard wearing
  • Teflon coated heat platen
  • Heats up in about 15 minutes
  • Press transfers no larger than 14 x 14 inches

Specs:

  • 110 volts
  • Weighs approx. 50 pounds
  • Temp: 0 – 400℉
  • Timer: 0 – 999 seconds
  • 1200 watts

 

F2C 12 x 10 Swing-Away Press

f2c swing away heat press

 

The F2C 12 x 10 inch Swing Away Heat Press is one of the top rated small heat press machines.

 

Small heat press machines are ideal for craft and hobby use, though they’re not so great if you’re doing large shirts. Best for those doing kids clothes and baby onesies.

 

They are easy to store away, easier to move around the house, or transport out of the home, and they are cheaper!

 

Features:

  • Swing-away style
  • Industrial strength build
  • Digital time and temperature display
  • 15 minute heat up time
  • Adjust the pressure to the thickness of your substrate

Specs:

  • 0 – 400℉ range of temperature
  • 0 – 999 range of time (though I wouldn’t put anything in for 999 seconds!)
  • 110 volts
  • 800 watts
  • Weighs 25 pounds

 

F2C Pro 5 in 1 Heat Press

 

F2C Pro 5 in 1 Heat Press Machine

 

This F2C 5 in 1 heat press will allow you to press onto mug, plate and caps as well.

 

Multifunctions might be right for you if you’re just wanting to play around and practice transferring onto these other substrates, but for business purposes you may want to choose a higher quality machine from the article linked above.

 

This press comes with:

  • 12 x 15 inch shirt press
  • 5 inch max diameter plate press
  • 6 inch max diameter plate press
  • 11 ounce mug press
  • 6 x 3 curved cap press

 

These additional presses attach to the main body either by switching out the flat platens, or by plugging into the control panel.

 

Features:

  • Swing-away style machine
  • Choose either Fahrenheit or Celsius
  • Take attachment presses
  • One year limited warranty

Specs:

  • 1200 watts
  • 110 volts
  • 32 – 430℉ temp. range
  • 0-999 time range
  • Weighs 50 pounds

 

F2C Mug Heat Press

 

f2c mug heat press

 

The F2C Mug Press Machine is another option. It is usually a better idea to get a dedicated mug press if you are serious about mug pressing.

 

Features:

  • 3.1 – 3.5 inch diameter with a 9 inch length and 4.5 inch height
  • 3.5 – 2.5 inch diameter with a 4 inch height
  • Digital time and temperature display
  • Shift the pressure to fully suit your size and shape of cup
  • Choose either Fahrenheit or Celsius

Specs:

  • 110 volts
  • 0 – 430℉ temperature range
  • 0 – 240 second time choice

 

F2C Heat Press Alternative

 

F2C heat press machines are great for the right people.

 

I would describe them as ‘entry-level machines’, which are best for home and hobby use. F2C are definitely one of the better sellers of these machines, but they are still prone to having faults.

 

A better alternative to the F2C heat press is the MPress from Heat Press Nation. These cost a little more, but you will have greater peace of mind, especially if you are need a heat press for business. For more info about their range of machines, check out this HPN review.

 

Thanks for reading, please leave any comments or questions down below!

 

(Please note: This post contains affiliate links. Read our full disclosure policy here.)

 

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