If you want to spice up your teaching game with fun lesson tools or decorate your classroom with a personalized touch, custom magnets made with printable magnet material might just be what you need! This flexible and thin material is compatible with various types of printers, making it an excellent (and affordable) way to create personalized magnets with beautiful designs. 

It’s quick and easy, only requiring a few steps to create stunning magnets. Here, we’ll explore the steps involved in the process to help kickstart your magnet-making journey. We’ll even share a few of our favorite ideas for using custom magnets in the classroom. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

What is Printable Magnet Material?

Printable magnet material is a thin, flexible material that can go through certain types of printers. While noticeably thicker than paper, it’s still thin enough to pass through a standard inkjet printer and exit with a beautiful design. 

It’s flexible, so it has no issues passing through the internal mechanisms of a printer. It’s solid black on one side – this is the magnet side. The other side features a white coating that can be glossy or matte – this is the side you print your designs on. 

Using this material, making custom magnets without a complicated, drawn-out process is simple. It only takes a few steps to start creating personalized designs that perfectly match your magnet-making needs. 

How to Make Custom Magnets With Printable Magnet Material

Making custom magnets with your printable magnet material is straightforward. However, you’ll need to avoid using excessive heat on the material, as most sheet materials of this kind can only handle temperatures of up to 70 degrees. 

Due to these restrictions, it’s best to print your designs on the material using an inkjet printer. Laser printers get far too hot for the material, so you can’t use them for printing magnets. 

Choose Your Designs

The first step is one of the most exciting parts of the process. In this step, you’ll choose what designs you want to print on your magnets. Choose high-quality photos with solid resolution to ensure a crisp, clean finish. 

Arrange the images in a Word document, Google document, or similar document, ensuring there’s plenty of room between each design for cutting clearance. If the designs are too close, you may have a tough time cutting around one design without accidentally cutting the one next to it. So, be sure to leave enough room for easy cutting. 

Adjust the Settings for Your Printer

Before you begin printing, you’ll need to tweak the settings on your printer. This process will vary based on the type of printer you have. Ensure you select “Glossy” for the paper type if your magnet material is shiny. 

Verify that the printer is set to one-sided, as a double-sided print won’t work well. If your printable magnet material comes in a continuous roll, cut it into sheets in a size your printer can handle. 

Add the Material to the Printer

Once the settings are correct and you’re ready to start printing, add the printable magnet material to your printer. 

Pay attention to how your printer takes the paper. Ensure you place the magnet material to print on the white side. If your printer prints on the underside of the paper you put in it, make sure you add the magnet material upside down. 

It’s best to load one sheet at a time so you don’t overload the printer or risk smudging the final product. 

Start Printing

Once your designs are ready, the settings are all set, and you’ve loaded the material, it’s time to print! Before you print the entirety of your designs or bulk orders, test print one simple design using the current settings. If the print comes out poorly, tweak the settings as necessary to achieve a crisp, clean result. 

After you get a beautiful initial print, start printing the rest of your magnets. 

Cut the Magnets to Size

Your last step is to trim the magnets to size. Cut off the excess surrounding each design, trimming as necessary to achieve the desired result. This process should be a breeze if you leave enough space between each design!

Your magnets are ready to use once you finish wrapping up the trimming process!

Fun Custom Magnet Ideas for Your Classroom

The sky is the limit when crafting custom magnets for your classroom. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:

• Sight word tray: Print various words on a magnet sheet and place the cut-out word squares on a cookie sheet. Have your students create sentences, find specific words, and similar tasks by arranging the words on the cookie tray. 
• Gifts: Need a creative way to help your students craft personalized gifts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and other holidays? Let them create a custom design and print it onto a magnet for a cute, personalized gift. 
• Decorations: Use the magnets to decorate lockers, doors, and other metal materials throughout your classroom and create a space that sparkles with unique flair. 

Craft Your Own Custom Magnets With Printable Magnet Material

Gone are the days of boring magnets with generic designs. Now, you can make custom magnets with little to no effort – all it takes is a few simple steps to choose the perfect design and transfer it to a piece of printable magnet material!

They’re incredibly versatile, working perfectly for creative classroom fun, decorations, and cute custom gifts. Whether you want to use your custom magnets for educational purposes or to add a splash of spice to your classroom’s decor, the possibilities are endless. 

Ready to get started making your own custom magnets? Try our printable magnet material from our arsenal of educational supplies at AGC Education. Contact us today to learn more about our printable magnet material and how it can help you create beautiful, custom magnets!

Posters can be a fun way to liven your classroom with personalized decor. You can incorporate motivational sayings, helpful tips and tricks for various lessons, or reminders to keep your students on track. But before you can adorn your classroom with well-designed posters, you’ll need to print them. 

There are a couple of options for printing your posters, each dependent on your preferences and budget. Here, we’ll explore where to print posters for your classroom. 

Step 1: Design a Classroom Poster That Pops

A great classroom poster starts with a thoughtful design. Before you think about printing, it’s worth taking a few minutes to plan your layout, color choices, and message.

Most teachers design posters in online tools like Canva, Adobe Express, or PosterMyWall. These platforms make it easy to drag and drop elements, adjust colors, and start from templates made for education.

When you create your design, start with the right size. For standard classroom displays, a 24” x 36” poster (in portrait or landscape) offers strong visibility without overwhelming wall space. Once you’ve designed your poster, export it as a high-resolution pdf file.

If you need a place to start, consider using one of our classroom poster templates. They can be printed as is, or customized to fit your classroom needs.

Step 2: Choose Where to Print Your Classroom Posters

Once your design is ready, the next step is deciding where to bring it to life. The right printing option depends on your budget, timeline, and how often you plan to print. Below, we break down the most common approaches teachers use to create high-quality classroom posters.

Option 1: Print Posters Online (Best for Small Quantities)

Online printing services are convenient and beginner-friendly, making them a popular choice for teachers who need just a few posters. Websites like Vistaprint, FedEx Office, and Staples let you upload your design, choose your size, and place an order from your desk.

This option works well for one-off classroom posters, small projects, or gifts, but it’s less ideal for schools that print regularly.

Option Two: Print Locally (Best for Rush Orders or Oversized Projects)

Your nearby print shop can be a great resource, especially if you need larger posters, laminated finishes, or same-day turnaround. Local shops often provide hands-on support and may assist with file formatting or color adjustments to ensure your poster looks professional.

Local print shops are perfect for occasional, high-quality poster prints, but ongoing printing needs can become expensive and time-consuming.

Option 3: Print Posters at School (Best for Frequent Use and Budget Savings)

For schools that need regular posters for classrooms, hallways, or events, investing in a school poster printer is often the smartest choice. In-house printing allows teachers to create posters anytime without extra shipping or service fees, and the initial investment pays off over time.

Why Schools Are Investing in Poster Printers

Many schools are choosing in-house poster printers to cut costs, save time, and empower teachers. Instead of paying $10–$25 per print online, a school can invest in one printer that can produce posters for years. Teachers can quickly print seasonal displays, motivational posters, or student work without waiting for shipping or worrying about external print costs.

Poster Printing Cost Comparison

Before you invest in classroom printing, it’s helpful to understand how each option compares in cost and convenience. This poster printing cost comparison chart breaks down the estimated price to print a 24” x 36” classroom poster, along with important notes about materials, print providers, and long-term value. Actual prices may vary depending on your paper type, finish, and location.

Method	Cost Per Poster	Other Considerations	Best For
Online Print Services	$30 – $35	Shipping speed and cost, limited customization	Small quantities, one-time projects
Local Print Shops	$10 – $20	Travel, turnaround time	Oversized projects and local support
School Poster Printer	$1.50 – $4.50	Convenience, long-term savings	Everyday printing and easy access for teachers

The Smart Way Schools Print Posters Today

Forward-thinking schools are moving away from the hassle and expense of outsourcing. Instead of paying per print job or waiting on a local shop, many are investing in school poster printers that make it easy to create high-quality visuals on demand.

Why Schools Choose the Educator Plus Poster Printer

With an Educator Plus Poster Printer, schools aren’t just saving money — they’re gaining flexibility. Teachers can print whenever inspiration strikes, whether it’s for a new SEL initiative or a last-minute event. There’s no minimum order, no shipping delay, and no waiting on someone else’s timeline.

Administrators also love the budget transparency: instead of unpredictable per-print fees, the investment in a school printer pays for itself after just a few dozen posters. Over time, it’s one of the most cost-effective and empowering tools a school can own.

AGC Education offers three models designed specifically for K–12 environments:

• Educator Plus Standard Poster Printer —The perfect balance of speed, size, and simplicity.
• Educator Plus Vivid Poster Printer — For schools wanting bright colors and versatility.
• Educator Plus Pro Poster Printer — Built for high-volume or district-level printing needs.

How AGC Education Helps Schools Succeed

Choosing the right printer is only part of the solution. What makes AGC different is how we partner with schools long after installation. Every Educator Plus Poster Printer includes access to exclusive educator support tools designed to help teachers and staff get the most from their equipment:

• Personalized Training – Every school receives live, hands-on training tailored to its staff, curriculum goals, and technology setup. We make sure your team feels confident using the printer from day one.
• On-Demand Support – Need help with setup, troubleshooting, or creative projects? Our U.S.-based support team is always available by phone or email to assist when you need it most.
• Specialty Projects – Go beyond posters! We’ll help you create custom banners, stickers, magnets, window clings, t-shirts, and more using specialty materials and easy-to-follow project guides.
• EmpowR Academy – Tap into professional development modules and tutorials that show educators how to integrate printing into PBIS, SEL, CTE, and academic programs.
• Resource Library & Ongoing Updates – We continually add new templates, guides, and project ideas, so your school’s investment keeps delivering value year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Classroom Poster Printing

Teacher Resources for Classroom Printing and Posters

Looking for ways to make classroom printing easier and more impactful? Explore teacher resources for classroom posters, templates, and specialty projects that help you create engaging visuals, save time, and bring learning to life — all in-house.

Fundraising is an integral activity that helps ensure schools have the necessary funds and resources to provide quality education. While these fundraisers have morphed into various creative shapes, T-shirt fundraisers for schools have long been an effective way to raise funds while spurring school spirit. 

They generate revenue while inspiring a sense of community among students and friendly competition through design contests. But to promote the success of your T-shirt fundraiser, you’ll need to have a plan. Here are six fun ideas for your T-shirt fundraiser. 

T-shirt Fundraiser Ideas

School T-shirt fundraisers can take various shapes, from raffling off baskets to hosting a design contest. Get creative with your ideas and develop a fundraiser that reflects your school’s spirit and interests. Here are a few ideas to get the creative ideas flowing:

Raffle Off Baskets

Raffle baskets can be an exciting way to raise funds for a T-shirt fundraiser. Fill a basket with items your students might want or need, from school supplies to gift cards to local restaurants. Throw in a few branded tees and other merch items boasting your school’s logo. 

Once you create the basket, announce the raffle to your students. You could do this over the intercom as part of morning announcements, in an assembly, or by walking to each classroom to show off the goodies inside. Set a date for drawing a winner, and remind the students and parents to purchase tickets throughout the weeks leading up to the drawing. 

Sell the Tees at School Events

School events, including football games, gymnastics, and similar gatherings, are excellent places to market your T-shirts. Advertise the tees, showcasing the opportunity to show school spirit to attending students, family, and friends.

Sell the tees wherever works best. If you have a snack stand or ticketing gate, offer the tees there. Provide ample opportunities for participants and viewers to take part in the fundraiser. 

Promote T-shirts Through Social Media

Advertise the fundraiser on social media – it’s a powerful tool! If your school has social media pages on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, talk about the fundraiser there. Discuss what the fundraiser is for, how to enter, and what you’re selling. Remember to showcase photos of the tees you’re selling!

Create Themed T-shirts

T-shirt fundraisers for schools don’t need to be restricted to school-branded merchandise. While tees featuring your school’s logo are an excellent addition to any T-shirt fundraiser, get creative with other options!

Create customized tees with seasonal designs for various holidays or spirit week. Think outside the box and let your students toss in design ideas to ensure the final product is something they would enjoy wearing.

Host a T-shirt Design Contest

This idea ties into the previous themed T-shirt creation idea. Let your students create tees they want to wear and would actually buy through a T-shirt design contest. Outline rules and deadlines, then let your students take the reins. 

The project could be part of a class, like an art or digital design class, or it could be an at-home optional project. It’s up to you and what you think would work best for your students!

Offer Incentives for Top Sellers

Inspire healthy, lively competition and drive sales by offering incentives to top sellers. This is a great way to increase revenue in your fundraiser if your students or faculty are selling the tees for you. 

Develop a few prizes for top sellers based on who is selling. If the students are selling, select prizes that they would like. If your faculty members are selling, choose the prizes based on them. Or, if both are selling, you could have a few options for each. Choose between a single grand prize or a few tiered prizes for first, second, and third place. 

Remember to announce the incentives to inspire sales and remind students that it’s a fun competition!

Create Your Own T-shirts with AGC Education

Printing your own T-shirts can be an excellent way to maximize profits from your fundraiser. By printing the tees at school, you can save money that would’ve otherwise been spent on hiring a company to do it for you. 

At AGC Education, we offer various heat presses designed to help you create customized tees for your school fundraiser. Our sublimation vacuum heat presses allow you to print high-quality designs onto your T-shirts for a long-lasting finish. Our multi-functional heat press helps you create personalized tees, keychains, mugs, and much more, maximizing your creation and profit ceilings. 

We offer everything from the heat press to the supplies you need to get started. Ready to begin creating your own tees? Contact us today to get started!

A heat press is a handy machine designed to help you apply various designs onto different substrates. Between heat and pressure, these machines can help you successfully transfer your favorite designs onto everything from T-shirts to keychains. This guide explores the details surrounding these machines to help you decide if they suit your creation needs. 

What is a Heat Press Machine?

Heat presses are machines designed to transfer designs onto various materials using heat. They feature a few key components: the upper platen, lower platen, pressure adjustment knobs, and time and temperature controls. 

Generally, the upper platen, or the upper plate, is responsible for generating heat. The lower platen typically doesn’t heat up unless you purchase specific models or additional accessories, so it serves as the working platform where you place the material. 

You’ll find a pressure adjustment knob on top of the upper platen on manual presses. This knob controls the pressure and helps ensure a smooth, accurate transfer. Automatic presses are available, and instead of using an adjustment knob, they employ air compressors to create tension. 

Types of Heat Press Machines

Heat presses come in three primary types: clamshell, swing-away, and draw. Each option features a unique style while employing the same fundamental functions as the others. 

Clamshell Heat Press

As the name implies, clamshell heat press machines open like a clamshell, secured at the back to open the press at around a 70-degree angle. The lower platen remains fixed, while the upper platen opens at an angle. The straightforward design makes these presses easy to operate and quick to use. 

These models are perfect for crafting custom items out of fabrics, including T-shirts, blankets, and hoodies. They can also work well for low-profile items, like flat keychains. 

Swing-Away Heat Press

Swing-away heat press machines feature an upper platen that lifts and swings away from the lower platen. Unlike the clamshell machines, this type doesn’t open at an angle, lifting straight away from the lower platen. 

The upper platen easily pivots out of the way for reloading, and since it doesn’t hover above your hands while you set up your next transfer, it’s easier and safer to use. 

This type of press is ideal for thicker items, including sublimation photo tiles or award plaques, as the design works well for this purpose. 

Draw Heat Press

The draw heat press machine or slide-out drawer heat press features the best of both worlds. It offers the quick, easy functionality of the clamshell heat presses with the handy benefits of the swing-away model. 

However, this model boasts a mobile lower platen instead of featuring a swiveling or angled upper platen. Instead of remaining fixed, it slides in and out of the heat press like a drawer, allowing you to reload and set up your next transfer quickly. 

This machine works well for various materials, from thinner fabrics to thicker plaques. 

How Does a Heat Press Machine Work?

A heat press machine works by using heat and pressure to transfer designs from specialized paper or vinyl to the substrate. Once you align the substrate and lay the design over the top, you’ll engage the heat press to employ its toasty, pressurized upper platen. 

The heat from the upper platen activates the adhesive on the transfer paper, melding it onto the substrate beneath. If you use the sublimation method, the heat causes the ink to melt into the fabric. The pressure from the upper plate ensures the transfer is smooth and accurate to provide a quality result. 

Primary Uses of a Heat Press Machine

Heat press machines are incredibly versatile, making them an excellent investment for grade schools, colleges, universities, and businesses that want to create custom products instead of paying someone else. 

Custom T-Shirts

Heat press machines are often used to craft creative tees and hoodies. From funny sayings to business or school logos, there are no limits to your creativity. You can design custom transfers to make the shirts your own or purchase pre-designed transfers ready to use!

Sublimation Printing

Heat presses can do more than typical printing using heat transfer paper. They work well for sublimation printing, which involves a sheet of specialty paper called sublimation paper. This process infuses ink into the applied material to create the desired design. 

Since this process doesn’t meld an extra layer on top of the item, it’s perfect for wearable items, as it doesn’t affect the fabric’s feel. This printing method is ideal if you want to make T-shirts, hoodies, blankets, or similar items. 

Other Textile Products

Heat presses are commonly used to create various custom textile products, including fabrics, tote bags, cosmetic bags, pillowcases, blankets, sweaters, and baby onesies. While fabric is the go-to material for many heat-pressed creations, these machines are multifunctional and can also work for slightly thicker objects, including keychains, coasters, and plaques. 

Tips for Using a Heat Press Machine

Using a heat press machine is straightforward, but there are a few things you should know before starting your custom creation journey. 

1. Flatten the surface: When pressing designs onto fabric, ensure the material is smooth and wrinkle-free before you start. Any wrinkles or bunched areas could skew your design. 
2. Don’t rush: Take your time aligning the substrate on the lower platen and placing the design onto the substrate. If you rush, you might misalign the substrate or design, resulting in a tilted or uncentered product. 
3. Preheat: Preheat your garments or accessories before you start the printing process. Adding a sprinkle of heat will help smoothen out any wrinkles or moisture, allowing the design to adhere better. 
4. Follow instructions: Before using your heat press machine, take a few minutes to read through the application instructions. These instructions often contain vital information, including temperature and time settings. 
5. Protect your equipment: Avoid spending extra time cleaning your lower platen between designs by using a heat press cover sheet. These help keep the lower platen clean and ready to go for different designs. 

FAQs About Heat Press Machines

• Is a heat press the same as an iron?

While ironing heat transfer designs can be a low-cost alternative to heat pressing, it doesn’t work as well as the latter. Heat presses use a combination of carefully regulated heat and high pressure to ensure designs adhere to the substrate properly, so items created this way often last longer. 

• How long does a heat press T-shirt last?

Heat-pressed T-shirts can last a long time, with paper-based designs lasting up to 50 washes or more. T-shirts you create with the sublimation method can last even longer as the ink is melted into the tee. 

• Do heat-pressed items peel?

If you don’t follow the proper heat pressing instructions, designs may begin to peel off the item. For example, inadequate pressure is a common issue that causes peeling with heat-pressed items. However, if you follow the instructions, designs are usually fairly durable. 

• Are heat press items washable?

After pressing a design onto a T-shirt, hoodie, blanket, or tote bag, you can wash the item. Generally, the items are fully machine washable after completing the transfer. If you’re unsure, check the label on your heat transfer paper. 

Start Creating Custom Designs With a Heat Press Today

Heat press machines can be the perfect solution for various needs, whether you want to create merch for your business or custom items for your students. Start creating products tailored to your needs today with a heat press from AGC Education. We offer various sizes and types of heat presses to accommodate varying needs, from compact models to multi-functional machines.