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.
Hello, my goal is to try to keep total costs under $3000 (printing press, screens, supplies, exposure unit, and flash dryer). I am thinking of going to Kinkos to print the transparencies. This is for my own clothing line, not for a custom order business.
$2000 Vastex 1000 4 colors / 4 stations (don't have any designs that justify getting a 6 color printer yet...)
$500 F-Flash Curing 18x18 Unit
$450 Exposure unit from Performance Screen Supply - U.V. Tuned Black Lights and Compression Top 120 Volts, 5 Amps with pin registration" found here www.performancescreen.com/performancecatalog.pdf
$168 ($28x6) Large Screens
$xxx Supplies
Is this a good distribution of money? Where should I spend more or cut back? I believe it is best to spend the most on the press. How important is the exposure unit? Do you think using Kinkos will work out?
I also have the option to buy lightly used a National 6 color / 4 station press for $2000 and a Hix T-180 Table Top Exposure Unit for $900. I don't really need the 6 colors right now and there is no warrenty, like there is with Vastex (1 year).
Re: How to distribute money in a start-up package??
Not sure what size your designs are, but for an additional $250 or so, you can get an Epson 1400 and not mess around with Kinkos for positives. The 1400 will print 13x19's, you can get 13x18 inkjet positives for around $1 each.
You are already over your 3K and you havent bought emulsion, inks, squeegees, chemicals or any other supplies, not to mention your washout/reclaiming setup.
If I were you, I would look at saving that $450 on the exposure unit and building my own. Single-point light source is the way to go anyway.
Re: How to distribute money in a start-up package??
Quote:
Originally Posted by midwaste
Not sure what size your designs are, but for an additional $250 or so, you can get an Epson 1400 and not mess around with Kinkos for positives. The 1400 will print 13x19's, you can get 13x18 inkjet positives for around $1 each.
You are already over your 3K and you havent bought emulsion, inks, squeegees, chemicals or any other supplies, not to mention your washout/reclaiming setup.
If I were you, I would look at saving that $450 on the exposure unit and building my own. Single-point light source is the way to go anyway.
Thanks for the input.
Oh, I am definitely going to go over the budget. I am going to use a big sink I have in the garage for washing out.
So, you think home made-single point is better than fancy vacuum exposure units? Of the two units listed in my first post, which is better the $500 one with weights to hold down the transparency or the $900 vacuum one? Any good places to learn how to make my own exposure unit? Thanks again.
Re: How to distribute money in a start-up package??
Single-point is the best, depending on your frame size. Actually, it's the best period, it'll just cost a little more to do with oversized frames. Lots of people around here will say that vacuum is the only option, but as long as the film is in direct contact with the emulsion, it doesnt matter whether you use vacuum or a Brontosaurus.
Search around the forum for DIY exposure units. There are pics, plans, etc for a setup based on a 500W halogen worklight (which is what I use), super cheap, around $30, but takes a long time to expose(18 mins for QX-1 emulsion for me), as well as pics and plans for a metal halide setup (around $100-150) that exposes in 30-40 seconds and will rival the most expensive unit you can buy. It all depends on your level of skill in building and simple electrical wiring. I am in the process of upgrading to a MH unit, it can be done cheaper than $100 if you can procure an old gym light from a school.
Re: How to distribute money in a start-up package??
Definently go metal-halide. I am an advocate of the vacuum hold-down. You can't beat the contact with the screen and positive. Homemade and burns QTX in 20 seconds. Dont skimp on the press- get a good used 4 or 6 color press for 1500.00.
How to distribute money in a start-up package?? 
Re: How to distribute money in a start-up package?? 
