EricW

Hey all....

First post here, so bear with me. I've been cruising the forums for a while now, looking at everyone's 2 cents on screen presses.

Here's my deal. I am an embroiderer, and I want to get into screen printing. I've been doing homework around the internet. I went to ISS long beach this Jan, and got some info. Well, naturally every sales rep has "the best press in the industry" so I guess I'm tossing out a general question, What press should I buy. I am planning on buying something next week at ISS New England.

It seems to be the consensus is either M&R or Vastex??? What is the Mercedes-Benz of screen presses?

I plan on buying something a little overkill at the beginning and hopefully I will grow into it. I was considering a Vastex 8/8 AHD press package, with all the "goodies" Keep in mind, that overkill is my middle name. The reason why my head is spinning is because I have quotes all over the road, literally from $10,000 to $75,000.

Any questions I should ask? What accessories are nice to have? and ultimately what DON'T I need? I'm not planning on being cheap here, but if its something I'm never going to use, why buy it, right?

Thanks in advance for all your input, I wish these groups were around when I first started embroidering, and someone whould have just said "dude, buy a barudan" LOL

Thanks!
-- Eric

 

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alan802

Antec legend if you really want the best. The chameleon and vastex v2000 are a tie for second, in my opinion. We own the vastex and love it. It will be around for a long time. We have also owned a chameleon and it was a solid press as well.

Make sure you get a couple of specialty pallets such youth pallets (4-8 quantity), maybe 4 sleeve pallets if you go with an 8/8, one oversized pallet. Get aluminum pallets with rubber tops. A jacket hold down would be a good accessory to have.

Don't go cheap on the flash unit. If you buy a cheap one, you'll print very slow, always waiting on your flash. If you really want overkill buy a stand alone flash unit that can be used on an auto. Your flash times will be in the 3-5 second range instead of 8-10.

Your dryer should also be able to handle your print production. If your dryer is only capable of 300 shirts/hr then no matter how fast you print, you'll have a bottle neck there.

 

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n.signia

if you are looking at vastex and M&R dont get your heart set on purchasing at ISS new england... neither of those manufacturers showed up last year. the only Press manufacturer that showed up was brown. I was dissapointed at the low screen printing company turnout, it was definately an embroiderers show last year. Hope this year is better for you.

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Tj Ryonet Tech

If want to see those manufacturers they will be in Long Beach at the Printwear show the July 28- august 1

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fdsales

I've owned Antec Legend series for past 10 years, but recently was asked by a friend to evaluate the Vastex. Very nice press, some extra features the Antec does not have. I recommended the Vastex. Also, spend the extra $$$ and get the auto flash dryer.

 

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alan802

Quote: Originally Posted by fdsales I've owned Antec Legend series for past 10 years, but recently was asked by a friend to evaluate the Vastex. Very nice press, some extra features the Antec does not have. I recommended the Vastex. Also, spend the extra $$$ and get the auto flash dryer.

I know some of the differences in the antec and vastex but do you mind elaborating on why and what features the vastex has that the antec doesn't? Not for arguments sake but for the sake of the thread and all those in the coming months who will ask the same question. It's been a while since I've seen the antec or I would try to break down the differences. Don't want to give any false information.

I'm assuming the features have to do with the platen system and maybe the pitch feature, but I can't really remember the antec not having any features found on other presses, maybe different engineering.

 

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provision

Eric,

Do you plan on printing alone, or will others be helping you print? The reason I ask, is that if you are printing alone, you don't really need 8 stations. If you have one station to print, one to flash, one to cool, you are going to be good. But again, if you are going to have someone else printing with you, then you need one station to print, one to flash, one to cool, then a station for the other printer to print the second color and unload the shirt in to the dryer. I had a 10/10 Antec, and it was a beast! Spinning the platens was like running in the sand ;-) I think an 8/4 might be a better option. I print alone on a 6/6, but I removed three of the arms, so I am running it as a 6/3. It is much quicker.

Just my 2 cents.

Mike Anderson
Owner, Provision Promotional Apparel

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