Heat Press Operator

Heat Press Machine Operator / Production Specialist

• Location: Cedar Knolls, NJ
• Position Type: Temp-to-Hire (TTH)
• Pay Rate: $17.00 / hour
• Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Job Summary

PrideStaff is seeking a reliable, detail-oriented Heat Press Production Specialist on behalf of our client, a premier apparel decorating and custom production facility in Cedar Knolls, NJ. In this role, you will operate commercial heat press equipment to apply Direct-to-Film (DTF) transfers onto a wide variety of custom garments, ensuring high product quality and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

1. Heat Press Production

• Operate commercial dual-platen pneumatic heat press machines safely and efficiently.
• Apply Direct-to-Film (DTF) transfers to T-shirts, sweatshirts, polos, jackets, and other apparel items.
• Adhere strictly to temperature, pressure, and time settings tailored to specific garment fabrics and transfer types.
• Align and position logos accurately according to customer-approved mockups and placement guides.
• Inspect transfers to ensure proper adhesion, crisp alignment, and high-quality visual appearance.
• Maintain consistent daily production output to meet target goals without sacrificing quality.

2. Work Order & Order Accuracy

• Thoroughly review production work orders and garment specifications prior to starting each job.
• Verify garment style, color, size, total quantity, and placement specs.
• Confirm that correct DTF transfers match assigned orders.
• Flag missing garments, incorrect artwork, or ambiguous instructions before pressing.
• Ensure individual customer orders remain organized, separated, and clearly labeled.

3. Quality Control

• Perform pre-production inspections to identify defects, stains, or damaged blanks.
• Inspect finished products for peeling, scorching, wrinkles, or misaligned graphics.
• Report any quality defects or equipment issues immediately to leadership.
• Separate non-conforming items for rework or manager review in accordance with quality guidelines.

4. Production Workflow & Efficiency

• Follow assigned schedule priorities to support fast turnaround times.
• Maintain an organized, ergonomic workstation with transfers, garments, and tools easily accessible.
• Keep machine downtime to a minimum between pressing cycles.
• Track and log completed quantities accurately.
• Stage finished goods in designated Quality Control / Packing zones.

5. Equipment Maintenance & Safety

• Perform daily visual checks and routine maintenance on heat press platens and pneumatic systems.
• Keep heated platens and surrounding areas clean and free of adhesive buildup.
• Comply with all company safety standards for heat and pneumatic machinery.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and maintain a clean, organized work area.
• Follow standard end-of-shift power-down and shutdown procedures.

6. Teamwork & Communication

• Coordinate seamlessly with cross-functional teams, including Staging, DTF, Embroidery, QC, and Packing.
• Communicate job delays, material shortages, or machinery issues promptly.
• Assist team members during rush periods to ensure deadlines are met.
• Demonstrate punctuality, strong work ethic, and a collaborative team attitude.

Qualifications & Physical Requirements

• Experience: Previous experience in heat press operation, apparel embellishment, garment screen printing, or light manufacturing preferred (DTF experience is a major plus).
• Attention to Detail: Excellent eye for visual detail, alignment, color matching, and quality checks.
• Physical Demands: Ability to stand for the duration of an 8-hour shift, perform repetitive hand/arm movements, and lift up to 30–40 lbs as needed.
• Work Ethic: Punctual, reliable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

PrideStaff is a national staffing service founded in 1978 with over 80 locations nationwide. We are currently expanding with a new office in East Hanover and are looking for individuals to share our mission: Consistently provide client experiences focused on what they value most. Professionals who are client service driven, goal orientated, organized and have an internal drive for success possess the qualities to be successful with PrideStaff. Additionally:

•\tClients and candidates consistently rate PrideStaff among the top recruiting firms within the staffing industry based on Net Promoter Score (NPS) data
•\tPrideStaff provides comprehensive training to Staffing Consultants on our proven sales, recruiting and staffing processes
•\tWe help our Staffing Consultants succeed with leading edge recruiting technology and performance improvement programs
•\tWe offer one of the most unique and competitive compensation plans in the Staffing and Recruiting industry