Discuss the different types of equipment needed for screen printing. Topics include manual screen printing presses, automatic presses, dryers, folding machines, starter kits and high end machines.
Hi, First of all let me thank everyone who supplies information to this site. It was with your knowledge that I moved forward through the process of purchasing an automatic screen printer.
We have had an embroidery shop for about 15 years. Had done heat applied graphics and sent out the screenprinting. But the screenprinting orders got bigger and more frequent due to a shop going under in the area. Purchased a 6/4 Hopkins in Dec of 2008. What really drove me crazy about the manual was the difference in quality from start to finish of a given job. The girls I had printing did a good job but as they tired or if something changed on press the output seemed to change. (I couldn't be there for every print)
The search for an automatic started about July of 2009. After looking at the Diamondback, Javalin and Horizon I felt comfortable with the quality of each of these presses. Each different but much the same. It was a huge leap of faith to drop big $$ and hope for the best... As the talks continued, I developed a feeling of trust with the folks at Anatol. Down to earth and not constantly running the competition down. We purchased the 7/8 Horizon with Rapid Wave flash.
They delivered and setup the Horizon this week. Training completed and the tech on the silver bird back to Chicago, we started the thing up and printed two small orders(50 and 70) the first day! Amazing simplicity and the quality of prints I was looking for all along. One of the jobs was a 3 color, black shirt with flash. Never lost a shirt. Looked the same - every print.
I'll keep you posted on the progress but on day 2, we feel we made the right choice with the right company.
Again, thanks for sharing your experiences and knowledge.
Just Bought New Automatic 
