How to use Phone Case Heat Press - AU - Blog cover

How to use Phone Case Heat Press

Table of Contents Quick Answer Step 1. Unboxing of H17 Phone Case Heat Press Step 2. Inspect the Device Step 3. Read the Reference Chart Step 4. Power On and Set the Device Step 5. Place the Fixture in the Heating Chamber Step 6. Place the Phone Case and Design Step 7. Place Your Sublimation Design Step 8. Short-Press the Start Button Step 9. Hot Peel the Sublimation Film Common Mistakes to Avoid FAQ Tutorial Video Example: Anime Phone Case

Quick Answer

To use the H17 Phone Case Heat Press, first unbox and inspect all accessories. Set the upper and lower plate temperatures according to the reference chart (typically 135℃/275℉ for phone cases). Preheat the fixture for at least 5 minutes, mount the phone case with the lens pad, place the sublimation film matte side down, and press for 300–350 seconds. Hot peel immediately after the indicator turns green.

Key Takeaways

  • The H17 Phone Case Heat Press includes multiple fixture sets for phone cases, badges, and flat items.
  • Preheat the fixture for at least 5 minutes before transferring for consistent results.
  • Always use the lens pad to prevent phone case deformation and avoid covering air holes.
  • Place the sublimation film matte side down and close the upper plate within 10 seconds.
  • Hot peel the sublimation film immediately after the indicator turns green.

Step 1. Unboxing of H17 Phone Case Heat Press

Start by unboxing the package and inspecting its contents. Check to ensure all accessories are included. If anything is missing, please take a photo and contact our customer service immediately for assistance.

H17 Phone Case Heat Press package contents laid out, including fixture sets, sublimation film, gloves, badge, tweezers, and tape

Checklist:

  • H17 Phone Case Heat Press
  • Phone Case Fixture Set
  • Badge Fixture Set
  • Sublimation Film
  • Heat-resistant Gloves
  • Sublimation Badge
  • Tweezers
  • Heat-resistant Tape

Step 2: Inspect the Device of the Phone Case Heat Press

Device overview of the H17 Phone Case Heat Press showing the upper and lower heat plates and control panel

Step 3. Read the Reference Chart of Phone Case Heat Press

Substrate Material Tool Upper Heat Plate Temp Lower Heat Plate Temp Preheat Time Transfer Time Peeling Method
Phone Case TPU/PC Phone case fixture set 135℃/275℉ 135℃/275℉ 2-10s 300-350s Hot Peel
Badge Metal Badge fixture set 140℃/285℉ 140℃/285℉ 2-10s 330s Hot Peel
Ceramic Plate Ceramic Base plate 140℃/285℉ 140℃/285℉ 2-10s 300s Hot Peel
Coaster Leather Base plate 135℃/275℉ 125℃/255℉ 2-10s 300s Hot Peel
Keychain MDF Base plate 135℃/275℉ 135℃/275℉ 2-10s 300s Hot Peel
Slate Coaster Stone Base plate 140℃/285℉ 140℃/285℉ 2-10s 300s Hot Peel
Sublimation Pen Aluminum Alloy Base plate 160℃/320℉ 160℃/320℉ / 300s Hot Peel
Shrink Plastic Sheet / Base plate 160℃/320℉ 160℃/320℉ / 60s /

Important Notes:

  • Preheat the film for 5 seconds to soften it and achieve better transfer quality.
  • Please use the sublimation paper and the shrink plastic sheet when heat transferring the sublimation pen.
  • When heat-shrinking film sheets, place a heat-resistant silicone mat under the base plate to prevent sticking and ensure a smoother, more even finish.
  • The Preheat Time in this table refers to the time required to heat the sublimation film. The "preheating" mentioned in Step 5 is intended to ensure that the phone case fixture has sufficient heat, allowing the sublimation process to achieve uniform heating on both the upper and lower layers.

Most Common Settings

  • Phone Case (TPU/PC): 135℃/275℉, 300–350s, Hot Peel
  • Badge (Metal): 140℃/285℉, 330s, Hot Peel
  • Coaster (Leather): Upper 135℃/275℉, Lower 125℃/255℉, 300s, Hot Peel

Step 4. Power On and Set the Device

Power on the device, set the temperature and time, then wait for heating.

H17 Phone Case Heat Press control panel showing buttons for setting upper and lower plate temperature and time

Yellow: Set Upper Heat Plate Temp

Yellow temperature button on the H17 control panel for setting upper heat plate temperature

Red: Set Lower Heat Plate Temp

Red temperature button on the H17 control panel for setting lower heat plate temperature

Yellow: Set Preheat Time

Yellow time button on the H17 control panel for setting preheat time

Red: Set Heat Transfer Time

Red time button on the H17 control panel for setting heat transfer time

Step 5. Place the Fixture in the Heating Chamber

Place the fixture in the heating chamber and close the upper heat plate for preheating for at least 5 minutes (use support for larger phone cases).

*It is normal for the fixture to appear to have slight movement after placement.

H17 Phone Case Heat Press with fixture placed inside the heating chamber before preheating

Step 6. Place the Phone Case and Your Sublimation Design

Stick the lens pad inside the phone case, then mount it onto the fixture by pressing firmly towards the lower-left.

  • Make sure to wipe the phone case clean before ironing.
  • Make sure the lens pad is used to prevent the phone case from deformation.
  • When placing the lens pad, avoid covering the air holes.

Phone case mounted on the fixture with lens pad installed inside the H17 heat press

Step 7. Place Your Sublimation Design

Place the sublimation film flat with the matte side down, ensuring the film’s edge fully covers the silicone, then close the plate.

  • The device will beep once the upper heat plate is lifted up or closed.
  • Please place the film and close the upper heat plate within 10 seconds.

Sublimation film placed matte side down over the phone case before closing the upper plate

Step 8. Short-Press the Start Button

Once the set temperature is reached, short-press the Start button to begin vacuum sealing and heat transfer.

Warning: Do not open the lid or press any buttons during the process.

Pressing the start button on the H17 Phone Case Heat Press to initiate heat transfer

Step 9. Hot Peel Sublimation Film When the Heat Transfer Is Complete

Hot peeling the sublimation film from the phone case immediately after the H17 heat press finishes

When the red light turns green, the ironing is done. Then wear heat-resistant gloves to open the heat plate and peel off the sublimation film while hot. Remove the phone case from the fixture.

Finished phone case with vibrant sublimated design removed from the H17 heat press fixture

Note: For heat-pressing badges, use the badge fixture set and the base plate. For flat materials such as coasters or ceramic tiles, use the base plate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Faded print: Increase temperature or preheat time, and ensure the sublimation film is placed matte side down.
  • Phone case deformation: Always use the lens pad and avoid covering air holes.
  • Film sticking to the plate: Use a heat-resistant silicone mat under the base plate when working with shrink plastic sheets.
  • Uneven transfer: Make sure the fixture is preheated for at least 5 minutes and the phone case is firmly pressed onto the fixture.

FAQ

What temperature should I use for phone case sublimation?

For TPU/PC phone cases, set both the upper and lower heat plates to 135℃ (275℉) and press for 300–350 seconds. Always refer to the reference chart for other substrates.

How long does it take to press a phone case?

Phone cases typically require 300–350 seconds of transfer time. This does not include the 5-minute fixture preheating step.

Can I sublimate any phone case with the H17?

The H17 works best with blank phone cases that have a sublimation coating on TPU/PC material. Uncoated or non-sublimatable cases will not produce good results.

Do I need to preheat the fixture?

Yes. Preheating the fixture for at least 5 minutes ensures uniform heat distribution and prevents incomplete transfers.

Why does my phone case deform during pressing?

Deformation usually occurs when the lens pad is not used or air holes are covered. Always insert the lens pad and ensure air holes remain clear.

Tutorial Video

Example for Heat Press Anime Phone Case

Shop H17 Phone Case Heat Press

Shipping to most Australian addresses typically takes 3–7 business days.

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