A vacuum platen for a printing operation wherein a printable design on a printing sheet or transfer film is transferred from the printing sheet or transfer film to a garment or other printable media. The example vacuum platen includes a printing platen with a first channel between the top surface and the bottom surface of the printing platen. The first channel fluidically connects to the vacuum port and defines a first activatable zone. A second channel between the top surface and the bottom surface of the printing platen fluidically connects to the vacuum port and defines a second activatable zone. A first plurality of openings is provided within the first activatable zone, and a second plurality of openings is provided within the second activatable zone. The first activatable zone and the second activatable zone are selected based on the printing sheet or transfer film for the printing operation.

A vacuum platen for a printing operation wherein a printable design on a printing sheet or transfer film is transferred from the printing sheet or transfer film to a garment or other printable media. The example vacuum platen includes a printing platen with a first channel between the top surface and the bottom surface of the printing platen. The first channel fluidically connects to the vacuum port and defines a first activatable zone. A second channel between the top surface and the bottom surface of the printing platen fluidically connects to the vacuum port and defines a second activatable zone. A first plurality of openings is provided within the first activatable zone, and a second plurality of openings is provided within the second activatable zone. The first activatable zone and the second activatable zone are selected based on the printing sheet or transfer film for the printing operation.