DuoForge
Best for leather, leatherette and PVC patches on structured trucker caps, small shops, hat bars and events.
View DuoForgeDuoForgePRO Automatic Dual-Heat Cap Heat Press
Fully automatic dual-heat cap press for shops that press in volume.
- Ships from Oklahoma
- 1-year warranty
- 3 platen covers
In stock. Order by 2pm CT and it ships the same business day.
See customer photosDuoForgePRO is our fully automatic dual-heat cap press for shops that press patches in volume.
- Heated top and bottom platens, each with its own temperature control
- Electric auto-drive: no compressor and no lever. It opens on its own when the cycle ends
- Saves your settings for each job as presets on the control panel
- Built-in laser alignment
- Three platen covers and three silicone patch protectors included
In the box:
- Platen Cover #1: 5-panel caps with a smooth front panel
- Platen Cover #2: 6-panel caps with a center seam, like the Richardson 112, plus flat-bill and unstructured caps. Always use it with the seam protector
- Platen Cover #3: 5-panel and flat-bill caps with an angular front
- Seam protector, thinner in the middle and thicker toward the ends: the center seam settles into it, so the sides of the patch get the same contact
- Two 1.5 mm patch protectors for Platen Covers #1 and #3: thin, so heat reaches the patch with firm, direct contact
Starting temperatures for standard leather and patches: 300°F top, 320°F bottom. For thin patches and DTF: 280°F top, 220°F bottom. Test on a sample cap first, and text us for the rest of the settings for your patches.
Ships from Stillwater, Oklahoma, with tracking. Orders placed by 2pm CT ship the same business day. Shipping is calculated at checkout. 1-year warranty. 30-day returns with a 20% restocking fee; the customer pays return shipping. Keep the original box: it's required for warranty service and returns (replacement box: $80). The PRO is at its introductory price, so coupon codes and promotions don't apply.
Questions? Text (405) 937-1596, Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm CT.
DuoForgePRO
$990
Customer reviews
Shops pressing with the PRO
4.7 out of 5 from 48 reviews. Shown exactly as customers wrote them.
Love it!!! I had over 100 hats to do and bought this on a whim. It saved me so much time and headache!
Well worth the extra money to have interchangeable forms for various hats! We love it!
I had a repeat order for one of my customers that included heat-applied MetFlex patches. Our new Duo Forge Pro arrived just in time for production and did not disappoint! Production went without any issues. I was surprised that this press out performed our other more expensive hat press. We press 30+ patches on three different types of poly caps and nailed it on the first try. We are very pleased with our purchase and cant wait to see how it does on the next project.
So much better for my adhesive patches! Love the laser. Easy to change settings
I got the machine very quickly. I set it up and went to work right away. This thing is amazing. I love it.
I used to sew on the patches because I couldn't trust my previous cap press to turn out a good product. But this is one of the best purchases I've made in a while, and if you add their adhesive, you turn out a superior product every time.
Why PRO
What the PRO adds
DuoForge and DuoForgePRO both heat the cap from the top and the bottom. For $641 more, the PRO adds the controls a busy shop uses every day.
Electric auto-drive
No lever and no compressor. Press Start: the PRO closes, holds for the time you set and opens on its own.
Saved presets
Save your settings for each job and call them back from the control panel.
Built-in laser alignment
A laser line on the cap shows where the patch goes. There's no add-on to buy.
Three platen covers in the box
Platen Covers #1, #2 and #3 change the lower platen's shape for different caps: #1 for smooth 5-panel fronts, #2 with the included seam protector for 6-panel caps like the Richardson 112, and #3 for angular fronts.
Heat from the top and the bottom
Each platen has its own temperature setting, so the bottom can warm the patch glue through the cap while the top stays gentler on the patch face.
DuoForge or DuoForgePRO?
Both heat from the top and the bottom and open on their own when the timer ends. Choose by how much you press and how many cap styles you work with.
DuoForgePRO
Best for shops that press in volume, switch between cap styles and want presets and laser alignment built in.
| DuoForge | DuoForgePRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat | Top and bottom, separate temperature controls | |
| Open & close | Opens on its own when the timer ends | Electric auto-drive closes and opens it. No lever, no compressor. |
| Presets | — | Saves your settings for each job |
| Laser alignment | Add-on ($39) | Built in |
| Lower platen | Round silicone base that slides front to back | Platen Covers #1, #2 and #3 included |
| Warranty | 1 year | |
| Shipping | Both ship from Stillwater, Oklahoma, with tracking. Shipping is calculated at checkout. | |
| Coupons | Coupon codes don't apply to either press. | |
What's in the box
- DuoForgePRO press
- Platen Cover #1For 5-panel caps with a smooth front panel.
- Platen Cover #2For 6-panel caps with a center seam, like the Richardson 112. Use it with the seam protector.Spare: $29.90
- Platen Cover #3For 5-panel and flat-bill caps with an angular front.Spare: $29.90
- Three silicone patch protectorsA seam protector with thicker ends for Platen Cover #2, and two 1.5 mm protectors.
Keep the box. The original box and packaging are required for warranty service and returns. A replacement box costs $80.
Buy with confidence
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1-year warranty
On the press, from our team in Oklahoma.
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Ships from Stillwater, Oklahoma
With tracking. Order by 2pm CST and it ships the same business day. Shipping is calculated at checkout.
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30-day returns
Return within 30 days of delivery. A 20% restocking fee applies, and you pay the return shipping. Refund policy
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Text a real person
(405) 937-1596 or support@patchcrafters.com, Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm CT.
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Keep the original box
It's required for warranty service and returns. A replacement box costs $80.
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If it arrives damaged
Text us right away at (405) 937-1596 and keep the box.
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Introductory price
The PRO is already priced at its introductory rate, so coupon codes and store promotions don't apply to it.
“Had initial issues and the customer service team fixed it within minutes. Using this machine daily now to push out 100-150 hats and it’s made the entire process much easier and quicker. Couldn’t recommend enough!”
Questions before you buy
Do I need an air compressor?
No. The DuoForgePRO runs on an electric auto-drive, with no compressor and no lever. Press Start and it closes, presses for the time you set and opens on its own.
Which caps does it fit, and which platen cover do I use?
It comes with Platen Covers #1, #2 and #3. Use #1 for 5-panel caps with a smooth front, #2 for 6-panel caps with a center seam like the Richardson 112 (always with the included seam protector), and #3 for 5-panel and flat-bill caps with an angular front. Spare #2 and #3 covers are $29.90 each and fit only the PRO.
Which patch protector should I use?
Three silicone protectors come in the box. Use the seam protector, the one with thicker ends, every time you press on Platen Cover #2. For your other caps, use one of the two 1.5 mm protectors: they're thin, so heat reaches the patch with firm, direct contact. See what each one is for.
What temperature should I use?
For standard leather and patches, start at 300°F on top and 320°F on the bottom. For thin patches and DTF, start at 280°F on top and 220°F on the bottom. Test on a sample cap first, because caps, patches and adhesives vary.
For the rest of the settings for your patches, or to change a setting in the menu, text us at (405) 937-1596 and we'll walk you through it.
Do I need the Laser Alignment Tool?
No. Laser alignment is built into the PRO. The Laser Alignment Tool is an add-on for the DuoForge.
What if it arrives damaged or doesn't work?
Text us right away at (405) 937-1596 and keep the original box and packaging. Our team will walk you through the next steps.
What's the warranty?
One year. Keep the original box and packaging: they're required for warranty service. A replacement box costs $80.
How fast does it ship, and what does shipping cost?
Orders placed by 2pm CT ship the same business day from Stillwater, Oklahoma, with tracking. Shipping for the press is calculated at checkout: presses aren't part of free shipping, and coupon codes don't apply to the PRO.
Can I return it?
Yes, within 30 days of delivery. A 20% restocking fee applies, you pay the return shipping, and the press goes back in its original box. Email support@patchcrafters.com to start a return.
More questions? Text (405) 937-1596, Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm CT.
Complete your setup
What PRO owners add next.
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PressGuard patch protector
4.7(177) starsSilicone sheet that protects the patch face from the hot platen.
Pack$16 -
Platen Cover #2 · Spare
5.0(17) starsFor 6-panel caps with a center seam, like the Richardson 112.
$29.90 -
Adhesive Roll, 12" wide
4.7(80) starsHeat-activated adhesive by the yard, for making your own patches.
$14 / yd
Owner's guide
Platen covers and patch protectors
Your DuoForgePRO comes with three platen covers and three silicone patch protectors. Here's what each one does and when to use it.
Platen covers
They go under the cap and fill the crown. Pick the one that matches the front of your cap.
Platen Cover #1: Smooth front
5-panel caps with a smooth front panel and no center seam.
Platen Cover #2: Center seam
6-panel caps with a center seam, like the Richardson 112, plus flat-bill and unstructured caps.
Always with the seam protector
Platen Cover #3: Angular front
5-panel and flat-bill caps with a flatter, angular front.
Flat-bill cap? Use #2 if the front has a center seam and #3 if it doesn't.
Patch protectors
They go over the patch, between it and the heated top platen.
- Thicker ends · 1 included
Seam protector
Use it every time with Platen Cover #2On a 6-panel cap, the center seam sits higher than the panels beside it. The top platen meets the seam first, so the sides of the patch get less contact, and that's where edges start to lift.
This protector is thinner in the middle and thicker toward the ends. Lay it across the front of the cap with the thin middle on the seam: the seam settles into it, the thicker ends fill the gap at the sides, and the patch gets even contact from the center to the edges.
- 1.5 mm · 2 included
Thin protector
With Platen Covers #1 and #3Thin silicone, so heat reaches the patch with firm, direct contact and little cushioning. It keeps the hot top platen off the face of the patch.
Every setting is a starting point, so test on a sample cap first. Questions about your setup? Text us at (405) 937-1596, Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm CT.
Read the full guide to platen covers and patch protectors