Heat Press

Heat Press

Definition

A Heat Press is a machine that applies both heat and pressure to bond, laminate, or mount materials together. In picture framing and art finishing, heat presses are commonly used for mounting artwork to substrates, laminating protective films, or activating adhesives. Common types include vacuum heat presses and hot roller presses.

Types

• Vacuum Heat Press: Uses both heat and vacuum suction to evenly press artwork and substrates, reducing air bubbles and warping.
• Hot Roller Press: Features heated rollers that apply consistent heat and pressure for laminating and dry mounting.

Applications

• Mounting artwork onto foam board, gator board, or other substrates.
• Laminating artwork with protective coatings or films.
• Activating dry mount adhesives in a controlled environment.
• Flattening wrinkled prints or photos during the framing process.

Best Practices

• Always use a temperature and time setting appropriate for the substrate and adhesive to prevent damage.
• Test with scrap materials before working with valuable artwork.
• Use release papers or protective sheets to prevent artwork from sticking to the press surface.
• For archival or conservation framing, avoid heat-based mounting and opt for reversible methods instead.

Related Terms

• Vacuum Press
• Wet Mounting
• Drytac
• Roller Press