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.
small business owner looking to print t-shirts for mine and several friends companies. I'm in the market for a full equipment and supply package that is simple,reliable, and durable. I have been looking at some kits that look pretty good and are right up my alley however, I'd really like to get some input on who's best.
(just a like a 4 station press,etc. under 5k)
thanks,
Brad (in the midwest)
There should be a few packages out there but the only one I've seen under $5k with a 4 color press is probably a Ryonet Package, and you can't go wrong with a Riley Hopkins Press. Good Luck
I second the Ryonet idea...and spend the money to get the Riley Hopkins press with micro registration. I worked my way up to micros and wish I had done it up front.
If you'd want to buy new, Entrepreneur Complete Screen Shop Package should take care of your startup needs. Ryonet has great customer service, and you can start printing shirt right away with that kit. You'd need a good quality printer, but the Epson 1400 is really inexpensive right now and turns out high-quality transparencies.
Also consider the used market...you can get a lot for your dough that way. You may have to drive a bit to get the gear, but you can save thousands over new. Used Screen Printing Equipment is a good place to look.
Final thought--consider a conveyor dryer. They're expensive, but they're the only way to go if you're going to do 30+ shirts at a time. It will save you HOURS over the simple flash unit.
For starting out, I would buy used equipment. You can save 50% or more on used. There are a lot of shops out there who bought too much, bought too soon, or they people who bought equipment thinking screen printing was easy, and now they are looking to get rid of them. Check around local listings and online listings.
I started out with a 6 color/4 station with micros for $800 (shop owner was asking for $2000, talked him down on price, plus he wanted to sell his 15 foot gas dryer he had inherited, I said no because I was dumb back then and I regret it til this day. He called back after I bought the press saying he'll give it for free if I haul it away, I said no thanks so he scrapped it to the metal yard. The dryer was in GREAT condition, fairly new, he was going out of business, and I was soooo new to screen printing, I had no idea what it was. So if someone throws something free at you when you buy used, just take it and decide to keep it or trash it later.)
Then I upgraded a year later to a 8 color / 8 station for $2000.
Also call around local shops to see if they have little things for sale that they don't used anymore, like maybe an extra flash dryer? Maybe they have an old exposure unit just sitting there. (I know we have 4 extra flash dryers just sitting there, most shops do). When I started, by a stroke of luck I called a print shop (thinking it was a screen printing supply store), and asked how much there flash was. He took a look around and said he found 2 that he didn't need. When I drove up, I figured out it was actually a printing shop I called and the 2 were just spares he didn't need. I bought both Blackbody's for $80.
Then a year later (right now), I am on a new automatic. I only bought the auto because it was my first, but now I know much more about an auto so if I upgrade, I will try getting used again.
Point is, you can find great used equipment.
The riley hopkins are fine, but I like my presses with side clamps bc they hold tighter registration.
Last edited by TshirtGuru; August 1st, 2009 at 07:31 AM.
The Riley comes with a "joystick" registration which they claim is the newest best thing but you can add "micro" registration by adding $50 per head. Anyone use the joystick and like it? Better than the micro?
The Riley comes with a "joystick" registration which they claim is the newest best thing but you can add "micro" registration by adding $50 per head. Anyone use the joystick and like it? Better than the micro?
The joystick is a pain because it's like you are moving the screen free handed but with a joystick.
newbie seeking advice from pro 
