Teflon Sheet for Heat Press
How to use a reusable PTFE (Teflon) cover sheet for sublimation, HTV, DTF, and screen-printed transfers — plus sizing and thickness
Last updated: June 2026
A Teflon sheet for a heat press is a reusable, non-stick PTFE-coated sheet you place between the heat platen and your transfer or garment. It stops ink, vinyl, and adhesive from sticking to the platen, protects the garment from scorching and shine marks, and spreads heat evenly — then wipes clean and is reused for hundreds of presses. Rated to +260°C, it handles sublimation, HTV, DTF, and screen-printed transfers.
Unlike a one-use square of parchment, a PTFE (Teflon) sheet lasts for months of daily pressing. GORTEF supplies non-adhesive PTFE coated glass fabric sheet 1000 mm wide and cut to the length you need, so you can cut several press-size sheets from a single piece.
Want the sheet, not platen tape? This guide is about the loose, reusable cover sheet. If you want to line your press platen permanently instead, see PTFE tape for heat presses.
What Is a Teflon Sheet for a Heat Press?
A Teflon sheet (also called a PTFE sheet or heat press cover sheet) is woven glass fibre fabric coated with PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). It is the same material used to line industrial heat-sealing and pressing equipment, supplied as a thin, flexible, non-stick sheet. In garment decoration it sits on top of your design during pressing as a protective barrier. It is not the same as a Teflon pillow, which is a padded insert used to lift a design above seams and zips.
Because PTFE is rated for continuous use from -73°C to +260°C, a Teflon sheet comfortably handles every heat press temperature (most transfers press between 140°C and 205°C). For background on the material, see What Is PTFE?
Why Use a Teflon Sheet When Heat Pressing?
A Teflon sheet protects three things at once — your garment, your transfer, and your press — while improving consistency:
- Protects the garment — prevents scorching and shine/press marks on dark and delicate fabrics by buffering direct contact with the hot platen.
- Protects the transfer — stops sublimation ink, HTV, and DTF adhesive from smearing, bleeding, or lifting onto the platen.
- Protects the platen — keeps ink and adhesive residue off the heat plate, so you spend less time cleaning and avoid ghosting on later presses.
- Even heat and pressure — a smooth PTFE surface distributes heat uniformly across the design for cleaner, more even transfers.
- Reusable and economical — one sheet replaces hundreds of disposable parchment squares; wipe it down and reuse it.
How to Use a Teflon Sheet for Heat Pressing
Using a Teflon sheet adds one simple step to your press routine:
Step 1: Cut the Sheet to Size
Cut a sheet a few centimetres larger than your design (or your platen). From a 1000 mm-wide GORTEF sheet you can cut several press-size pieces — for example, six 40 × 50 cm cover sheets per metre.
Step 2: Pre-Press the Garment
Press the blank garment for 3–5 seconds to flatten it and drive out moisture. This helps transfers adhere evenly.
Step 3: Position Your Transfer
Place your sublimation print, HTV, or DTF transfer on the garment exactly where you want it.
Step 4: Cover With the Teflon Sheet
Lay the Teflon sheet over the design so it sits between the upper platen and the transfer, fully covering the artwork.
Step 5: Press
Close the press at the temperature, time, and pressure recommended for your transfer type. The sheet stays in place through the full cycle.
Step 6: Lift, Peel, and Reuse
Open the press, remove the sheet, and peel the transfer per its hot- or cold-peel instructions. Wipe the sheet clean if needed — it is ready for the next press.
Teflon Sheet vs Parchment Paper vs Silicone Sheet
Parchment paper and silicone sheets are sometimes used as a substitute, but they don't match PTFE for heat pressing:
| Feature | Teflon (PTFE) Sheet | Parchment Paper | Silicone Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reusable | Yes — hundreds of presses | No — single use | Limited — degrades faster |
| Max temperature | +260°C | ~220°C (can scorch) | ~230°C |
| Non-stick release | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Cost over time | Lowest (reused) | Adds up (disposable) | Moderate |
| Best for | Repeat pressing, all transfer types | Occasional one-off jobs | Extra cushioning on uneven items |
What Size and Thickness Teflon Sheet Do You Need?
Size: your cover sheet should be slightly larger than your design or platen. GORTEF Teflon sheets are 1000 mm wide and cut to any length from 1 to 30 metres, so you can cut multiple press-size sheets to suit a 38 × 38 cm, 40 × 50 cm, or larger platen.
Thickness: for a loose cover sheet, the thinner 3 thou (0.075 mm) is the most flexible and easiest to handle, while 5 thou adds durability for heavy daily use. All thicknesses carry the same +260°C rating. See the full options on our PTFE / Teflon sheets product page.
Where to Buy a Teflon Sheet for a Heat Press in Australia
Craft and hardware retailers like Spotlight, Bunnings, or Kmart may carry small consumer non-stick mats, but industrial-grade PTFE coated glass fabric sheet — the durable, reusable kind for repeat heat pressing — is sourced from a specialist supplier. GORTEF cuts Teflon sheet to your size from 1000 mm-wide rolls and ships across Australia and New Zealand. Contact us for pricing or a sample, or browse the Teflon sheet range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A PTFE (Teflon) sheet is reusable for hundreds of presses. Wipe it clean of any residue between uses and store it flat. Replace it only when it becomes creased, torn, or the non-stick surface visibly wears through to the glass weave.
GORTEF Teflon sheets are rated for continuous use up to +260°C, which is well above every standard heat press temperature. Sublimation runs around 180–205°C, DTF and HTV around 140–180°C, so a PTFE sheet handles all of them without scorching or melting.
A Teflon sheet is better for repeat pressing. It is reusable for hundreds of presses, rated to +260°C, and gives cleaner, more consistent release than parchment paper, which is single-use and can scorch above about 220°C. Parchment is fine for the occasional one-off job; a Teflon sheet pays for itself quickly in any regular pressing setup.
Use a sheet slightly larger than your design or platen so it fully covers the artwork. GORTEF Teflon sheets are 1000mm wide and cut to the length you need, so you can cut several press-size sheets (for example, 40 × 50 cm) from a single metre to suit your platen.
Yes. The same Teflon sheet works for sublimation, heat transfer vinyl (HTV), DTF, and screen-printed transfers. Its +260°C rating covers every transfer method, and the non-stick PTFE surface releases ink and adhesive cleanly regardless of the process.
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