 Re: Xpress Screen: poly coated heat sensitive screen?
I have been using this system in my shop for three years. My father used it for 10 years before I bought the business.
The only times I have had trouble with the screens breaking down that quickly is when doing print/flash/print jobs and I don't allow enough time for the shirts to cool. Heat is a killer for these screens. In those cases I have had screens break down around 100 pieces. To prolong the life of the screen I position my flash unit to my immediate left so that there are two positions (I'm using a 4X4 manual press) after the flash to allow the shirt to cool as much as possible. Also, if you leave white ink on the screens overnight they will degrade and be unusable the following morning.
Printing 1 color or multi color wet on wet, I have run as many as 750 pieces (with half tones) with ZERO screen degradation. I know that even longer runs would be possible, just haven't done one longer.
There are advantages and disadvantages to this system.
I believe that the cost of the mesh itself is greatly offset by not having the folowing expenses:
Emulsion
Reclamation equipment and chemicals
Storage space for reusable screens
Labor time for cleaning and reclaiming screens
Labor time for coating and burning screens
Can anyone using conventional screens take their art from computer to printing their first shirt in under 10 minutes? I really don't think so.
The disadvantages are:
Heat and chemicals do cause the screens to break down rather quickly
Print size restricted due to the 18 inch width of the mesh
I'm sure some types of specialty printing (maybe even most) are not compatible
For a shop like mine where the vast majority of jobs are 1-2 spot colors and average about 60 pieces, the system is great. It's easy, fast, and clean. I don't even have running water in my shop...it would be nice, but I don't need it.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Ken
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