How to Make and Sell Custom Holiday Gifts with Your Heat Press
For small business owners, the holiday season starts now. Whether you’re running a full-time shop or a side hustle, this is the perfect time to start creating custom holiday gifts your customers will love. With your heat press and the right transfers, you can design one-of-a-kind items that spread cheer, show off your creativity, and keep orders rolling in all season long.
To help you get inspired, we’ve gathered some of this year’s best-selling heat press gift ideas — plus a free lookbook packed with festive projects, expert tips, and trending materials to make your holiday sales shine.
Why Holiday Products Matter for Small Businesses
The holiday season is the busiest and most profitable time of year for many small businesses, and this includes apparel decorators! Personalized gifts are always in demand, and custom apparel and accessories are a simple way to give customers something memorable and made just for them.
Whether you’re pressing shirts, blankets, ornaments, or tote bags, the key is offering products that are quick to decorate, affordable to produce, and look high-end. That’s where heat printing comes in. With custom transfers from Transfer Express, you can make professional-quality gifts with just a heat press. No need for special equipment or big inventory required!
3 Heat Press Holiday Gift Ideas to Make
Ready to start your holiday lineup? Here are a few festive ideas straight from the Holiday Heat Printers Lookbook to help you sell more this season.
1. Cozy Blankets with DTF Transfers
Warm, colorful, and easy to personalize, use DTF transfers to customize blankets. With no color limitations and no order minimums, you can print everything from family names and festive quotes to full-color holiday patterns. They’re great for cozy home gifts or limited-edition products you can sell at local markets or online.
Pro Tip: Offer matching sets with custom pillows or socks for an easy upsell.
2. Festive Sweatshirts with Glitter or Puff Effects
’Tis the season for sparkle! Use special-effect transfers like Glitter, Puff, or Metallic to add texture and shine to your holiday apparel lineup. These premium finishes instantly elevate any design and create a retail-ready look your customers will love.
Pro Tip: Create a “limited holiday edition” of your best-selling design — perfect for gifting or seasonal events.
3. Personalized Ornaments with Pressure Sensitive Vinyl
Not every project needs heat! Pressure Sensitive Vinyl makes it easy to personalize ornaments, acrylic tags, or holiday décor with your vinyl cutter. Add names, dates, or special messages for quick-turn personalization that customers can order on demand.
Pro Tip: Offer ornaments as free add-ons for larger apparel orders to boost your average sale.
Get the Full Recipe Book for Holiday Success
If you’re ready to take your holiday decorating to the next level, the Holiday Heat Printers Lookbook is your go-to guide.
Inside, you’ll find:
-
Creative gift ideas you can make with your heat press
-
Trending finishes and festive materials like glitter, flock, and puff
-
Step-by-step tips for pressing and personalization
-
Marketing ideas to keep your schedule full all season long
No matter your skill level or business size, it’s the ultimate inspiration guide to help you press, personalize, and profit this holiday season.
👉 Download the Free Holiday Heat Printers Lookbook