 Re: Upgrading equipment
Upgrading to an automatic is a REALLY BIG step. It's not just a press; you'll need an air compressor, a conveyor dryer capable of keeping up with your auto, you'll use larger screens such as 23" x 31", so possibility a larger exposure unit. Also, forget everything you know about screen-printing, as you'll learn all over using an automatic. Yes, they're great when working & SETUP properly, but you can sure ruin a lot of shirts very quickly if not paying close attention.
Also, you'll need more space, more electricity, and plan on spending $40K & up for all the necessary equipment & upgrades, even if you purchase used.
Finally, a word on USED printer...make sure you know who you're buying from. Back in 2004, we purchased what was supposed to be a reburbished Tuff auto from a well established screen print equipment company on the East Coast. Once it was setup & running, it would never hold registration, so after not getting much support from where we purchased, we called the Tuff factory, and got a factory tech in. What he found floored us....3 of the platen supports had been cut off & rewelded on (somewhat of a uncommon pratice to make a press fit thru a doorway), but once cut off, they cannot ever be welded back on perfertcly, so hence the press would never be able to hold perfert registration without stopping the run & resetting some of the screens. Also the tech informed us that many of the critical parts that should have been replaced in a "reburished" unit were not replaced, and very worn.
The company we purchased from stated that pretty much the press was sold "as is", and we initated leagl action against them & that dragged on, but a year later, Hurricane Katrina resolved the problem by sending this press to it's proper demise under 6' of water, and insurance took care of the reimbursement.
Like I said, best purchase NEW if you can. | 
