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Commercial Heat Press 16" x 20" Manual Clamshell

Vendor: George Knight & Co SKU: DK20

Original price $1,449.00 - Original price $1,449.00
Original price
$1,449.00
$1,449.00 - $1,449.00
Current price $1,449.00

Free Shipping to Lower 48

Item ships in 5-7 business days for delivery in 7-14 days

Overview

The DK20 is Geo Knight’s largest manual clamshell heat press, offering a 16" x 20" platen and a durable steel frame designed for professional-grade production. Its rear-opening heat platen lifts above and away from the lower table, giving operators full, unobstructed access for accurate garment placement and safer loading.

Built with a space-saving clamshell design, the DK20 is ideal for shops with limited floor space or mobile setups requiring portability. The All-Thread™ loading table allows garments to slide freely across the bottom platen with full drape clearance, while interchangeable bottom platens make it easy to adapt to different job sizes or press areas.

The DK20 can be upgraded with Geo Knight’s Auto-Release “Pop-Up” system, enabling semi-automatic functionality for faster production without the need for compressed air. An optional twin station upgrade is also available, transforming the press into a dual-station setup for light industrial-scale output.

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Specifications 
Weight : 103 lbs
Electrical : 1800W / 15A / 120V
Print Area : 20"D x 16"H
Counter Footprint : 26"H x 14"W
Shipping Dimensions : 36"L x 17"W x 16"H
Vendor : George Knight & Co
SKU : DK20SP

 

Features 
  • All-Thread™ loading makes shirt placement fast and intuitive

  • Digital control panel handles temperature, timing, and pressure with zero guesswork

  • Temperature range from 32°–600°F gives you full creative freedom

  • Teflon-coated ¾” thick platen delivers even heat and zero sticking

  • SuperCoil-Microwinding™ heater means faster heat-up and tighter control

  • Swappable bottom tables let you adapt to different garment sizes on the fly

  • Records press cycles for tracking production at scale

  • Pressure Bar Graph + presets fine-tune your workflow exactly how you like it

  • Auto alarm options so you’re not babysitting every job

  • Solid steel frame built for the long haul—seriously, this thing’s a tank

Product Sheets
Warranty
  • FREE LIFETIME Tech Support!
  • Lifetime warranty on heat platen
  • 5-year warranty on frame
  • 3-year warranty on controller
  • 1 year warranty on parts
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Manufacturer's Warranty

With Lifetime Tech support

Made in the USA

Proudly manufactured in Massachusetts

Chat With Us

We offer 24-hour chat support

Success Starts with the Right Press

Success Starts with the Right Press

You’ve probably seen dozens of heat presses by now, some bulky, some fussy, some that almost get the job done. The DK20 is not one of those. This machine isn’t just built to press; it’s built to perform. Whether you’re running a tight corner of a creative studio or scaling up shirt runs from your garage, this industrial heat press doesn’t get in your way. It works with you, like a proper teammate.

Here’s the thing: most clamshell presses pinch at the back or make it awkward to load your garments. The DK20 took a hard look at that design flaw and said, “Nah, we can do better.” The rear of the heat platen actually raises up and away (yes, away) from the bottom table, which means you get full, open access to the platen without smashing your knuckles or fumbling with awkward grips. Slide your shirt on. Align it. Tap the press. Done.

And don’t even get us started on portability. While swingaway models are notorious for being bulky beasts, this heat press machine was made for smaller workspaces that still demand big performance. Whether you're a traveling creator or just tired of lugging heavy gear, this model gets it done without anchoring you to one location.

Another quiet flex? Those interchangeable bottom tables. You can swap them out in seconds to match your job size, whether you're doing toddler tees or oversized back prints. It’s the kind of flexibility that saves time and spares headaches, something you really appreciate when you’re 40 shirts deep into a rush order.

Then there’s the upgrade potential. Want to move a little faster? Add the Pop-Up auto-release feature. Got higher volume dreams? The twin station mod turns this into a legit dual-station press for light production. That’s the beauty of the DK20: it grows with your ambition.

The controls? Fully digital, baby. We’re talking real-time pressure graphs, dual timers, 70 programmable presets, and temperature accuracy down to the degree. Fahrenheit or Celsius, it's your call. And yes, it records every single press cycle so you can geek out on your productivity stats (if that’s your thing).

And finally let’s talk longevity. This isn’t a flimsy aluminum frame pretending to be “industrial grade.” This is solid, American-made steel welded into something that’ll last longer than your favorite hoodie. It’s coated with a Teflon ¾” platen that heats evenly with SuperCoil-Microwinding™ tech, so your transfers don’t just stick, they lock in with perfection.

So yeah, if you're looking for a manual heat press machine that works with you, not against you—one that’s precise, rugged, and smart—the DK20 is it. It’s the one that lets you stop shopping and start pressing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The timer does not start when I close the heat platen, or the timer does not reset when I open the press up.
  • There are several probable causes for this. The timer is activated by a micro-tilt sensor stuck to the pressure arm.
  • First: When the head of the machine is opened, the tilt sensor needs to be tilted slightly upward to signal the controller to stop/reset. When the head of the machine is closed, the timer sensor needs to be tilted downward (towards the floor) to signal the controller to start counting.
  • Second: Check the wire connection from the tilt sensor into the control panel. The timer and pressure signals go to a small black 6-pin connector on the top of the circuit board in the control box. Check to make sure this is firmly seated and plugged into the board.
The control displays “Err” when it first comes on, and I cannot set the temperature or use the press.

The “Err” message will display if the heating signal from the platen has been cut off, interrupted, or the heating sensor has failed.

First, check the lime green temperature connector that plugs into the digital control. At the top of the controller, there is a green connector that plugs in with two small wires. This is the temperature sensor wire. Check to make sure it is properly seated.

If, after unplugging and plugging the lime green connector, the “Err” message still appears, unplug the green connector and remove the two tiny wires from the lime green plug. Cut them back 1/4”, strip them so they have new connections, and reconnect them to the lime green plug so they are screwed in tightly and cannot pull out. Plug the green plug back in and turn the press on.

I press the keys on the keypad, and there is no sound or response from the controller.

Check the connection of the keypad to the controller. This is inside the top panel.

  1. Unplug the power cord.
  2. Remove the two screws in between the clamp/linkage that hold down the top panel.
  3. Carefully lift the panel up and look inside at the digital controller.

The keypad connector passes in through the top panel. It should wind around the first circuit board and be seated fully into the connector. Check the black keypad connector that plugs into the circuit board to see if it has pulled apart. Also check the area where the keypad connects to the front membrane to see if the leads have been damaged. The membrane keypad may need to be replaced.

The gas springs are not lifting the head as easily as when the press was new, or the gas springs have lost their pressure.

After a large volume of use over an extended period of many pressing cycles, the gas springs will slowly lose their original force.

These hydraulic lifter springs are extremely easy to replace, and are surprisingly similar in cost—or even lower—than conventional mechanical springs. Contact the factory for replacement gas springs if the machine is no longer able to keep the platen open. Note: The gas springs must have the silver rod face down, and the black tube face up.

The press has shut off and will not come back on after checking the power cord.

Test for power coming from the back side of the power cord inlet socket. Then, test for power coming from the back side of the on/off switch. Finally, test for power coming to the end of the black and white wires that run from the on/off switch into the control board.

This will help narrow down which power-handling component needs replacement. The RPK-DKPWR is a common replacement kit that includes all these components.

I pressed a transfer upside down. The inks and transfer material have burned onto the heat platen.

Cool the press down. Using a non-abrasive detergent or cleaner, thoroughly scrub the heat platen surface.

Do not use an abrasive scrubber or a pad that will scratch the Teflon coating of the platen. If you're still unable to remove the transfer material, obtain Teflon heater block cleaner from the factory.

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Overview

The DK20 is Geo Knight’s largest manual clamshell heat press, offering a 16" x 20" platen and a durable steel frame designed for professional-grade production. Its rear-opening heat platen lifts above and away from the lower table, giving operators full, unobstructed access for accurate garment placement and safer loading.

Built with a space-saving clamshell design, the DK20 is ideal for shops with limited floor space or mobile setups requiring portability. The All-Thread™ loading table allows garments to slide freely across the bottom platen with full drape clearance, while interchangeable bottom platens make it easy to adapt to different job sizes or press areas.

The DK20 can be upgraded with Geo Knight’s Auto-Release “Pop-Up” system, enabling semi-automatic functionality for faster production without the need for compressed air. An optional twin station upgrade is also available, transforming the press into a dual-station setup for light industrial-scale output.

.

Specifications 
Weight : 103 lbs
Electrical : 1800W / 15A / 120V
Print Area : 20"D x 16"H
Counter Footprint : 26"H x 14"W
Shipping Dimensions : 36"L x 17"W x 16"H
Vendor : George Knight & Co
SKU : DK20SP

 

Features 
  • All-Thread™ loading makes shirt placement fast and intuitive

  • Digital control panel handles temperature, timing, and pressure with zero guesswork

  • Temperature range from 32°–600°F gives you full creative freedom

  • Teflon-coated ¾” thick platen delivers even heat and zero sticking

  • SuperCoil-Microwinding™ heater means faster heat-up and tighter control

  • Swappable bottom tables let you adapt to different garment sizes on the fly

  • Records press cycles for tracking production at scale

  • Pressure Bar Graph + presets fine-tune your workflow exactly how you like it

  • Auto alarm options so you’re not babysitting every job

  • Solid steel frame built for the long haul—seriously, this thing’s a tank

Product Sheets
Warranty
  • FREE LIFETIME Tech Support!
  • Lifetime warranty on heat platen
  • 5-year warranty on frame
  • 3-year warranty on controller
  • 1 year warranty on parts