In the world of custom apparel decoration, time is money. Whether you're fulfilling small batch orders or large production runs, efficiency is key for success. As a custom apparel decorator who utilizes the power of custom heat transfers, you already possess a valuable tool for streamlined production. But here's the secret - there's always room to improve your workflow!

This blog dives deep into practical tips to help you maximize efficiency with custom heat transfers, allowing you to churn out high-quality apparel faster and smoother.

Invest in the Right Equipment

Heat Press
Investing in a reliable commercial grade heat press is crucial. You’ll want a machine that heats up quickly with ample heating coils for consistent results. Your press should also offer sufficient, even pressure across the entire platen. For efficient high-volume work, we recommend an automatic air operated heat press like the Insta 718 or Insta 728. These pneumatic presses use compressed air to quickly and evenly clamp down on garments, reducing setup time, increasing production speed, and limiting operator fatigue.

Cutting Equipment
If you're taking full advantage of heat transfer gang sheets, you’ll need to cut your images apart before beginning production. Investing in cutting equipment will make this step exponentially quicker and more efficient. Consider options like a large guillotine style paper trimmer or an automatic hydraulic operated cutting machine.

BONUS TIP! Did you know you can order your transfer gang sheets cut down and ready to apply for as little as $25 per order? Learn more here.

Organization
To operate at peak efficiency, you’ll also want the right tools in your shop to keep you organized. Utility carts are a must-have to keep large jobs moving quickly throughout your shop. Dedicated shelving and/or drawers for storing transfers by job, school, season, or color will help save precious minutes spent setting up for production.

Optimize Workflow

Prepare Materials
Before you begin production, sort your garments by color, size, and image or print location. Next, organize your transfers after you’ve proofed them for application. Gather any accessory platens or tools you will need for the job and make sure your workstation is clean and prepped. These small organizational steps will compound to make production smooth and seamless, saving time and creating efficiency.

Batch Production
Group similar orders together based on transfer type or more specifically, application temperature and pressure. Batching jobs by application settings allows you to minimize heat press adjustments and maximize operator efficiency.

Clean as You Go
Develop a cleaning routine to maintain your workspace, heat press and tools. Heat press maintenance is vital to your operation, providing peace of mind that each job will go smoothly without downtime. You can read more about heat press maintenance here.

By implementing these top tips, you can transform your custom apparel business into an efficiency powerhouse. Remember, it's all about maximizing your time and resources, allowing you to fulfill more orders and deliver high-quality custom apparel to your clients faster.