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.
This is my first post here, though I have read through many threads so far. I hope my post isn't repetitive but I am looking to step up my business with an automatic press. I have been screen printing out of my garage for about 2 years and now I am about to rent a nice size warehouse to open up a serious business. I have researched a bit about a few popular brands and models and I came to find out they are all extremely expensive compared to what I believed they costed... I checked the price of a new Anatol Trident and Stratus II and both run $65k + brand new! Not to make this a long story but I remember going to an ISS trade show a few years ago looking for a manual press (which I bought and use to this day, a 6 color 4 station Hopkins press) and I saw a huge Automatic press which must of been 14+ colors that I remember costing around $26k. I don't remember the brand or model of that machine but I know that was the price of it new. Was I hallucinating or are those machine highly discounted at those shows?
So basically what I'm looking for now is a nice New or Used 10 or 12 color automatic press for about $30k maximum (cheaper is better obviously, but it must have modern features) and that includes whatever extra's it may need like a flash curer (or 2) and air compressor/chiller. I know that electric heads are better than pneumatic ones but can I find one in my budget? What brands and models should I look into and other than Craigslist where should I search for a used machine? I am not finding much online but maybe I'm looking in the wrong places. I would also like to by a nice conveyor dryer at the same time, can all that be aquired under $30k? I will be working with primarily plastisol inks.
Thank you ahead of time for reading this and for any advice you give.
I'm not sure but I belive that 10 color Stratus II with pneumatic heads cost about 35k and about 50k for the AC heads .. Wish to have one of those. Today my little Horizon mini 6/5 has arrived ! Wonderfull machine
You will need to buy used with that budget. We just went through the auto buying process and the 10 color machines new are from 40-120K, and that covers AWT, anatol, RPM, M&R, MHM and Workhorse/Progressive and from no options to fully loaded. I don't know what the brown or lawson go for but I assume less than the other manufacturers.
Thank you for a response. Do some of these manufacturers also have a refurbished selection for sale? Should I try calling M&H and a few others and ask if they sell used also? Would their used prices be higher than buying it from just some person?
Be VERY careful when you purchased used, or even refurbished. Back in 2004, we purchased a "refurbished" auto press from a very well known & established screen print equipment company on the East Coast. The price did NOT include installation. Once the press was installed & up & running, we were having problems with the screens staying in registration.
After speaking with the company we purchased the press from, and was advised that we would have to pay for their tech to come back, as it was now past their 90 warranty, we decided to go directly to the manufacturer, and have one of their factory techs come in & take a look.
The factory tech advised that this machine would never be able to hold proper registration thru out an extended run, as 3 of the platen arms had be cut off, most likely by a previous owner to make the press fit thru a door, and welded back on incorrectly. The factory tech also made a long list of parts that needed replacing, that really should have been replaced if this machine was truly refurbished.
After many months of letters from our attorney, and phone calls to the machine seller, Hurricane Katrina came thru & took this press to "auto press heaven" under 6' of water, and insurance took care of the rest.
If buying used or refurbished.....make very sure you know what you're getting. Used auto presses, like used cars, can have hidden defects, and a lot more use & problems than the owner will admit. If you choose to purchase used, prepared to spend some extra funds to get the press running properly. Also, if possible, go see the press in operation before you purchase, & make sure that the screens stay in regsitration during an extended run. Understand that these presses must be taken apart, and reassembled & realigned, to ship. Who covers any damage or lost parts in shipment (all the nuts & bolts for ours got lost in shipment, and the tech had to purchase those here locally from a hardware store when he came in to install).
Wow, I am sorry to hear about your problems. It's ironic that a hurricane had to wreck everything you own to get your money back through insurance. I always get nervous buying something used, especially when it comes to sophisticated machinery that could easily have numerous problems that you only find out after it's too late... I will definitely take caution and try to buy a used machine locally so there can be an opportunity for me to see it in action before buying. Thank you for the advice.
I'm from Los Angeles, California. I am actually talking with someone via email about a machine they have for sale, I will let you know if I eventually pick it up.
Thank you for a response. Do some of these manufacturers also have a refurbished selection for sale? Should I try calling M&H and a few others and ask if they sell used also? Would their used prices be higher than buying it from just some person?
Thank you.
We bought our press from Real Performance Machinery (RPM) and he has a refurbished machine division. They are presses that he has taken in on trade and consignment. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from Rick at RPM because he knows autos and the engineering behind them.
I know for a fact that a few big time equipment refurbishing companies are bad news. They operate like the old used car operations and should not be trusted. They claim to rebuild the machines but most of the work they do is purely cosmetic and the serious work isn't done by competent personel.
M&R does take trades as well and has stock of used equipment that should be in good shape and refurbished back to perfect working order. As far as the other manufacturers, who knows.
Some prices might be lower than private sellers because some of the trade-in stock has been there for a while and need to be moved. They were also probably bought for less and can be flipped for less.
Buying a press from a local screen printer could be hit or miss. Some don't do the proper preventative maintenance and use the press until it is worn out and then sell to someone who doesn't know how the press is supposed to operate. We sold a used press that had been maintained by an outside company that came in quarterly for over 18 years so we all knew it was well taken care of. A benefit of buying local would be seeing it operate and testing registration. If they are serious about selling a good machine then they should let you set up a job on it and run it.
You can find a great used machine, you just have to be a little more dilligent and thorough. Keep us all informed on your journey.
I'm ready for an Automatic Press 
