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 guys. I am looking to start a screen printing business. I live in rural Oklahoma and moved from Oklahoma City.The town i moved to has three decent size towns but no screen printing for 200 miles. The one place has a two month waiting list. I have always loved screen printing and have never took the time to just go for it. I have been searching the internet looking at different sites and got some books from amazon to read up. But i think before i start anything i am going to a 3 day school in Denver Co. " The Grendel". I am really going to get my feet wet to see if thats what i want to do. I have a small shop i get to use for free. The equipment side thats what i really dont know about. I have been looking at Ryonet on some kits. At first i wanted this flashy big equip. but from doing some research i seem to be steering to just a 4/4 Riley kit. The kit seems to be easy to start out with. I really need some feed back to help me along the way. I would really apprciate that. I know most people started the way i did. Thank you so much. If you want just shoot me an e-mail
Read as much of the forum as you can. You will need much more than the press, I am not sure what kits you are looking at. I generally shy away from starter "kits".
What to buy depends on your budget. If you think you will start fast and furious getting orders, it may be worth it to drop plenty of cash now and not have to upgrade in a few months.
Whatever you get, make sure its not to basic or unable to upgrade because if your business takes off, you are going to need equipment that can handle the work load. I have a Ryonet package, forgot which one, but It was around the $9-10 grand mark. 6/4 Hopkins press, conveyor dryer, etc. It works real well. I'm sure the 4/4 press is just as good and if you don't want to print more then 4 colors then its perfect. I would recommend you get a conveyor dryer though, curing ink with a flash is time consuming and down right counter productive for the most part. vastex also has start up packages that look really nice. All their equipment is built to last. Do a ton of research. Try and establish some customers that would be interested before hand to see how large the demand will be. Any other questions, let me know.
Thanks alot for the help. The feed back helps out. I have an investor. But dont want to over do it. I dont plan on buying till late july and have plenty of time to think things through. Have also bought 4 to 5 books to read up on the industry.
if you have long term plans definitely go for equipment thats either modular or upgradeable. I started my business in january, i had to upgrade my exposure unit twice, bought a conveyor dryer, expanded my press and a lot of other stuff and still plan to add more equipment.
My dad has done embroidery for quite a while now, and I decided two years ago to try t-shirts too with him.
We bought a T-Jet thinking it might be easier to learn for newbies like us. Plus it was smaller, less mess, and click to print.
I hate it. Has been nothing but trouble since the day we got it.
Anyway, I too am looking to get a screen press. There is a show coming up the first of may in Ft Worth. We plan on going to check out all the equipment in person. You might want to check it out too. It's close, and not that much to get in. I think if you have a coupon code and register beforehand you can actually get a free pass.
Last edited by Solmu; April 19th, 2009 at 09:02 PM.
Reason: removed self-promotion as per forum rules
You will need much more than the press, I am not sure what kits you are looking at. I generally shy away from starter "kits".
Why?
Also, what all is needed in terms of water and drainage? Just a water hose and floor drain? Do you have to have a floor drain? Can you even flush the waste down the drain? Do you have to have a separate dark room? Does it have to be completely light tight?
Just a few questions I’ve been wondering about myself. Sorry, maybe I should have started a new post with this one, but thought cody might like to know the answers to these also.
Also, what all is needed in terms of water and drainage? Just a water hose and floor drain? Do you have to have a floor drain? Can you even flush the waste down the drain? Do you have to have a separate dark room? Does it have to be completely light tight?
Just a few questions I’ve been wondering about myself. Sorry, maybe I should have started a new post with this one, but thought cody might like to know the answers to these also.
I personally have a small wash out booth next to my sink in my basement. I put a large keg bucket underneath it with a sump pump that runs into the sink. I custom made a filtration system by making a wooden frame that fits around the top of the bucket and i staples a fine mesh, metal screen to the frame so the emulsion doesn't clog the sink. I also bought some filtration fabric that goes between the screen for added filtration. I dont think plastisol ink is drain safe, so to be safe I use screen wash to get all the ink off before I reclaim. I'll get pictures of this makeshift set up soon. It has worked perfectly.
Help picking out equipment 
