$46 Laser Alignment System | Heat Press, Shirt Design, Crafts

In this video, I’ll show you a sub-$50 solution for your heat press/craft laser alignment needs! A single monitor stand (with current Amazon coupon) as linked below paired with four lasers (as is offered by Hotronix) would give you a pre-tax total of less than $46! The setup I’ve gone with in the video will run approximately $60.
I discuss the pros and cons of this setup compared to the Hotronix Laser Alignment system and demonstrate this setup on a Stahl's Hotronix A2Z Swing Away Heat Press.
Supplies:
Laser - www.harborfreight.com/laser-m... (look for it near the circular saw blades, etc.)
Solo Monitor Stand - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Dual Monitor Stand (shown) - www.walmart.com/ip/onn-Full-Mo...
Download the PDF laser alignment guide here (UPDATED with additional lines at 3.5 inches horizontal and 4.5 inches vertical): drive.google.com/file/d/1sHp5...

[@mariaturner6818]

A million thank you's! I've been searching for a cost effective solution and this is wonderful! Thanks for sharing the pdf as well. It's encouraging to know there are folks so willing to share information. All the best!

[@OneDegreeLife]

Hey! You bet! I have a second video that shows a more “refined” setup too if you think it’ll help. Thanks for the comment and best of luck!

[@Mom2JnA]

Thank you! Your video is still just as helpful now as it would've been had I found it 2 years ago! I appreciate you, so much! I have a 15x15 auto press as well as a 20x24 pull out drawer press and I'm sure that using the basics that you've explained, I can set this up for both of them. 👍🙏

[@OneDegreeLife]

Awesome! I hope it works out for you! I did a followup video with a "better" setup as well. It's more like the actual Hotronix one, but it does require some cable cutting. Check it out if you think it would be helpful! Either way, I hope your final setup is more productive!

[@boteler819]

Thank you! Practical, efficient effective solution with great instructions on how to get it done! Blessings to you and your family!

[@OneDegreeLife]

Thanks so much! Cheers

[@patduplinsky2053]

OMG You are fabulous!!! Thank you so very much for the info and the links to get the products. You made my day!

[@OneDegreeLife]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@beardedelephant3023]

Great video. Very helpful

[@robbiekendrick1486]

Awesome video, was just looking at laser guides. Definitely going with your method. Thank you.

[@OneDegreeLife]

So glad you found it helpful! Anything to make our lives easier without breaking the bank is always a good deal in my book. Best of luck with your designs!

[@TheMikePopeShow]

Thank you for all the knowledge. I hope you get a kick back for using your link because I used your links for everything ✊🏾💯

[@OneDegreeLife]

I appreciate it! I actually don't even know what the numbers would be, but I figure it couldn't hurt. I just want to make it easy for anyone wanting to try it out. There's another video I have with an alternate version of the setup as well. Regardless, I hope you find a setup that helps you out! Take care!

[@MeHeidiE]

Awesome hack!! Thanks!!

[@godturnedit7565]

Thank you I used a tri pod set up. I like this better. I need laser that don’t burn out doing a large run

[@onthebeachwiththeobxbeachb7640]

Thanks for this. Very well done. Transfer placement is pretty forgiving, but I'm wondering if spending a little more on the lasers would be a benefit for better lines? I'm mostly wondering about the Husky workbench. What size do you use? I'm going to build this setup with my own mods this week. 16x20 press.

[@OneDegreeLife]

For my heat press setup, I use the smallest 46" because of where I have to maneuver it. In my friend's shop where I build knives and do woodwork, I use the 62". These are the drawerless versions on casters that have the adjustable height crank. This allows you to raise and lower the surface depending on what you are working on. So, if for example, you are using a taller hat press, you might want to lower it to a better working height. I think I said it supports 300 lbs in the video, but actually, it's close to 700 lbs based on the HD website. Same here on alignment, although with centered text, esp. on the chest, I can see a shift if there is one by more than 1/4" or so. I guess it's years of doing graphics. My eyes look for those things I guess. I don't like folding and creasing shirts, so I've also added some collar alignment rulers just in case. So, I get the lasers centered where I want on the guide/platen, then I place the shirt and shift it with the alignment ruler if I have to be really precise. I don't do high volume yet. At that point the lasers alone should be sufficient. Hope this helps! Cheers

[@stephanienishimura9113]

Aloha from Hawaii 🌺! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful tip! Alignment is the one thing that stresses me out 😫. I just ordered the lasers off Amazon at triple the price (HFT does not ship these to Hawaii), and will be ordering the tri-pod from Walmart. You should do an Amazon site where you get commission off your referrals!

[@OneDegreeLife]

So glad it was helpful! Would have been down your way in 2021, but the Delta variant…I digress. I’ve thought about a page. The Amazon links I use now do help me out a tiny bit though. Hope you love your setup!

[@justinennis6096]

Awesome

[@PrintKingdom904]

Thank u

[@adamjessicamccary9011]

Very helpful! Thank you!-

[@OneDegreeLife]

Great! Thanks for the feedback!

[@quadog9019]

A good alternative I found with a stronger/more consistent laser are the Ryobi cube laser units ($20) at Home Depot. I was tired of swapping out the cheap Harbor Freight ones.

[@OneDegreeLife]

Yep, they definitely have cons. I’ve since changed them out for USB lasers in my other video. Thanks for sharing! This might help others!

[@soniahernandez4168]

Can you share the link

[@MaxCruiseable]

Why did you put the legend upside down? :)) not a big deal, thanks for providing it

[@pdxproductionsthedriveway4307]

What program did you use to create the laser alignment guide? It's very helpful. I'd like to make my own.

[@OneDegreeLife]

Hey, PDX! I used Affinity Designer for this one. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop could also be used. Basically, any program that will allow you to create at the desired paper size should work. You might be able to use MS Word, Apple Pages, or even a free online program like Canva. Just make sure it has rulers as guides and that you export/print it at 100% to ensure true sizing. Hope that helps!

[@pdxproductionsthedriveway4307]

@@OneDegreeLife thank you. Can you share some insight on how the laser lines will affect different shirt sizes? Are you suppose to use different laser lines for different sizes? And do you line up the graphic to the edge of the laser or center it?

[@OneDegreeLife]

@@pdxproductionsthedriveway4307 Hello! There are some subtle differences in how various vendors choose to locate their transfers. The great thing is, that center will be the same for all shirts (many fold them in half and do a light press to find true center". The template I created is based off the same markings as the Hotronix version, but I added a 5" from center line as well. The center and horizontal lines will match up if you set the EDGE of the the template (printed at 100%) at the EDGE of the platen. You should get 3 and 4" horizontal lines at that point. This should work since most hang the shirt collar right over the platen edge. The "rule of thumb" as I learned it was to measure 7-9" down from the edge of the shirt collar and then 4-5" over from center or so. This will vary depending on design. If you put a smaller design too close to center, it can look strange, at least to me. The left chest lines are just for reference, but Hotronix uses 4" from center as a reference. Obviously, on a child or XS shirt this wont work and you'd want to measure that specifically. So, I typically find that most shirts at least M-XXL have about the same chest line in the shirts I use. IF I'm doing larger or smaller shirts, I remeasure and then "batch" all shirts in a like size. I'll move the laser to the new placement if needed. I just don't want to jump around through extreme size differences if I can help it. Hope that somewhat helps.

[@DynamicGenesis]

I love you 🤟😎

[@alittlecornerjax]

@OneDegreeLife will this work ok if I use on a 16x20 if i center the red line to my half 16 ? Thanks.

[@OneDegreeLife]

Yes. The only difference will be if the beam gets a little thicker if it drifts farther from the laser, but not a big deal. I actually used my other set up in a different video on a larger platen later.

[@Pmason718]

I love your idea I’m just trying to figure out how I would use this with the mount for the Fusion IQ

[@OneDegreeLife]

Hey! I’m currently using it with my Fusion! Stay tuned, I hope to do an updated video within a week or so. I’ve had several people ask about it and since I’ve upgraded, maybe my setup will help you generate some ideas that could work for you 🙂

[@Pmason718]

@@OneDegreeLife Thank you. I was just about to spend $350 on the Hotronix one but I’m going to head to harbor freight shortly and pick up the lasers and give that a try first. If I’m not happy I will spend the $350. Which table do you have? Do you have a link for it?

[@OneDegreeLife]

@@Pmason718 Cool! Before doing that, did you watch my follow up video on the second, wired, setup that’s basically the same lasers that Hotronix uses? That’s my new setup, much cheaper than Hotronix and, in a way, more versatile and way cheaper. Again, I’ll have a video showing how I set that one up in a few days I think. Sure, here’s the table I use and it holds the Fusion no problem, BUT, you will have to put it long ways as the IQ is too deep to go along the short a angle. There are various lengths in it as well: www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52-in-Adjustable-Height-Work-Table-HOLT52XDB12/301809830

[@Pmason718]

@@OneDegreeLife I didn’t know you had a follow up video. Let me see if I can find it.

[@OneDegreeLife]

@@Pmason718 here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHasm6msaLiKgcU

[@RS-vd2nr]

Do you have the rack system attached to the back table corner?

[@OneDegreeLife]

Yes. The great thing about the monitor display arm is that it’s already designed to grip table tops. So I’ve clamped it as far out of the way was possible while still being usable. If there is no table edge access (platform is built against a wall) you could look for a traditional stand that is designed to hold a monitor, or something similar. That setup would be quite as stable (easier to bump) and would take up more worktop space, but it would still do the job. On bonus of the latter, you’d be able to knotty remove it if not needed. Cheers

[@JColt]

So sad they don't sell them in México :(

[@TheBrownings]

The download for the alignment doesn't work. Do you have another link to download it.? Thanks.

[@OneDegreeLife]

WEIRD! When I updated the file, I guess the link was broken. Should be fixed now. Thanks for the heads up! -> kzbin.info?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblVudDlqMktlQmVlTHdyQnZ6ci0xUVBkUzliQXxBQ3Jtc0tscnRlbzZzcXd2T3YyVG5McXZGY2R0Tlp3T2QzMnhiVVYwWVFrMWNYNWMxRFpyLVczd0syZmdBNkFxeHA5amZyZUZCRlFBUHJVbEFTQ1JvcklWay1NeHFwZ3B6UXhYUGt3NkEtdHBUZHV1QTBLYVNlaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2Ffile%2Fd%2F1sHp5mIKNFTcjSMmuAyA0K8Q9JUkkLXc_%2Fview%3Fusp%3Dsharing

[@TheBrownings]

@@OneDegreeLife Thanks a million! You just gained a new subscriber!

[@TheBrownings]

@@OneDegreeLife The link you provided me has a PDF that's 19"×13". Is this correct?

[@OneDegreeLife]

@@TheBrownings Yes. I designed it for the largest paper size my printer can handle, but the dark lines would be right at the 15" platen size mark if you fold/cut there.

[@nortski78]

Can't find anything like these in the UK :(

[@OneDegreeLife]

Their might be something similar, but I still prefer the updated setup I created here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHasm6msaLiKgcUsi=gbRLYf2dMmkzUCkI. Since the supplies can be ordered online (at least through Amazon in the US), maybe you can find a solution that will help for not much more money! Best of luck

[@soniahernandez4168]

How big is the paper from the mockup??

[@OneDegreeLife]

It was designed for 13x19 inch paper

[@ashleymannin8334]

Does this work for a clamshell too?

[@OneDegreeLife]

Yes. You'll just want to arrange the laser stand further forward so that the lasers can be aimed backward. How well this will work will depend on the opening size of the clam "mouth". The higher it opens the better. I've since upgraded to the Fusion, which has a pull-out tray. I. have to do the same thing. I aim the lasers forward at an angle now as well.

[@ashleymannin8334]

@@OneDegreeLife thank you for your response!!! oooh the fusion is hopefully my next buy! I have the 15x15 transpro it opens ok! Definitely going to give this a try! Thank you for your video!

[@OneDegreeLife]

@@ashleymannin8334 I had to upgrade because I kept having issues with my A2Zs. LOVE the Fusion so far, but had planned on waiting longer to move up the ladder. Once you do go Fusion, you can easily use the swingaway feature to make this usable as well. Best of luck to you!

[@Ricks2Cents]

The Biggest difference I see is the template they give you to help line up the lasers.

[@OneDegreeLife]

Pretty much. And using your own template or a T-Square works perfectly. I’ve done another video with an upgrade to the lasers if you think it would be helpful. Cheers

[@MaxCruiseable]

These little laser lines are not only too thick but they stopped working after 2-4 hours! Awful!!

[@OneDegreeLife]

Sorry you had that experience. I moved to a different, more stable solution after realizing a homemade setup would work. I have a video on that if you’re interested. Regardless, I do hope you find a solution that works for you.