Shawn Mosch

Planet Flame Heat Press Review

Tonight I did my first ever glitter iron on vinyl project to test out my new Planet Flame Heat Press, using the Cricut brand glitter iron on vinyl. I have a lot of people that will ask me if they really need a heat press, or if they can make projects with their standard home iron. Let me tell you why I prefer a professional heat press.

By the way, this post contains Affiliate Links to companies I have partnered with, such as Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for shopping with my links!

Reasons to get a professional heat press

With a professional heat press, like this one from Planet Flame, you will get more consistent heat and pressure on your projects like shirts with iron on/HTV vinyl. The heating plate is quite large, so you don’t have to move it around on your design like you do with a home iron or one of the Cricut Easy Press machines.

Pressure is also really important with pressing iron on/HTV projects, and a professional heat press will clamp down and lock in, so you really get that good pressure you need.

My Planet Flame Heat Press Review

Because I wanted this to be a true test of the Planet Flame heat press, I decided to use Cricut brand glitter iron on vinyl. Glitter vinyl is normally thicker and harder to work with, so I figured if I could get the heat press to give me good results with this product, it could work with anything! I cut the glitter vinyl on my Cricut and then pressed it on to a small bag.

Remember, I had never used a heat press at all before this video. I took this press out of the box, set it on my table and took the video. Since the time of shooting this video I did figure out that I should have put the bag towards the edge of the press, so that the zipper was not under the pressing element.

Also, there are pressing pillows you can purchase to place items like this bag on. This will raise the fabric and the area you are pressing up higher, and allow the zipper to not get in the way of the press.

Below is a link to the exact Planet Flame heat press that I reviewed on Amazon for you.

My two cents about vinyl

I wanted to give this heat press a TRUE TEST, so I used the Cricut brand glitter iron on vinyl since I have heard others saying that it is sometimes harder to get the glitter iron on to stick. Normally I would use Siser brand vinyl.

I prefer to use Siser brand vinyl for my iron on projects. I feel that is the best quality brand of iron on vinyl out there, and it weeds the easiest. For permanent vinyl I like StarCraft vinyl.

Over the years I have gotten Siser vinyl from a variety of places, including My Craft Source. When you shop at My Craft Source be sure to use code ShawnMosch to get 5% off your order!

Another retailer that I work with is Vinyl and Tulle. Use coupon code SHAWNMOSCH to save 10% off your order! They ship WORLD WIDE!

Madame Blanks is my recommended source for for my Canadian followers! Use coupon code SHAWN10 to save 10% off your order of StarCraft products!

I love that I can order large rolls or small sheets when ordering Siser online. This can give you a larger variety of choices and allow to to save money on larger orders. To make sure you are getting the best price for your vinyl, make sure to check out my Vinyl Buyers Guide.

Heat Press Demo Video

Here is the video of my very first press! We edited it so you don’t have to watch me just standing in front of the press for 30 seconds at a time so if you are thinking “wow, she pressed that really quick” just know it was edited down for your viewing pleasure.

I did repeat the entire recommended pressing process a couple of times from what Cricut for their glitter vinyl, and I think that because I was so excited to do this review and the video I did not think the fact that the zipper on the bag should probably have been to the outside, so that it was not getting in the way of the pressing process at all. Like I said, this was my FIRST PRESS. Learning curve.

Another thing that I have learned since the time that I did this video is to place a piece of parchment paper over the top of the design you are pressing. This helps to protect your design and the item you are pressing things on to.

I have to say, I was really impressed! The glitter vinyl stuck really well. It was a nice even press, with no little gaps or sections that felt like they were going to lift off.

The heat press was easy to use. The very first time I went to open it, it felt like it was kind of stuck and would not lift, so before we even pre-heated the machine we held down the base with one hand so that we could lift the handle with the other hand, and that got the press to open right up.

I also like that the press is a nice and sturdy, and that it has a large working surface. I did not need that big of a surface for this project, but it is nice to know that even my largest project will fit on this press. When the timer goes off on the press, there is a high pitch noise so there is no way you can miss that time is up.

If you are looking for getting good professional heat press, you can find a lot of great options on Amazon.