I am new to this forum and would like to ask around about Xpress Screen.
I purchased a used system several months ago. It is very good for producing less that 100 shirts per screen. The screen material starts breaking down about then.
My question is about the poly coated heat sensitive screen, itself. Is there another place to purchase it other than from Xpress Screen? It seems to be rather high priced. I can purchase a roll of it, enough to produce about 70 14"x14" screens, for about $230.00.
How are you doing with this equipment? I saw the machine today for the second time at the show in LBC. I think it's pricey for something that is not of the same quality as regular screens.
geeez! a traditional emulsion will last 1000 prints if done right. i use ulano qx-1 which runs about $55 a gallon. i don't really count how many screen a gallon will do, but i'm guessing around 100
i've never heard of this stuff, i'll check it out. seems pricey though
I have been using this system in my shop for three years. My father used it for 10 years before I bought the business.
The only times I have had trouble with the screens breaking down that quickly is when doing print/flash/print jobs and I don't allow enough time for the shirts to cool. Heat is a killer for these screens. In those cases I have had screens break down around 100 pieces. To prolong the life of the screen I position my flash unit to my immediate left so that there are two positions (I'm using a 4X4 manual press) after the flash to allow the shirt to cool as much as possible. Also, if you leave white ink on the screens overnight they will degrade and be unusable the following morning.
Printing 1 color or multi color wet on wet, I have run as many as 750 pieces (with half tones) with ZERO screen degradation. I know that even longer runs would be possible, just haven't done one longer.
There are advantages and disadvantages to this system.
I believe that the cost of the mesh itself is greatly offset by not having the folowing expenses:
Emulsion
Reclamation equipment and chemicals
Storage space for reusable screens
Labor time for cleaning and reclaiming screens
Labor time for coating and burning screens
Can anyone using conventional screens take their art from computer to printing their first shirt in under 10 minutes? I really don't think so.
The disadvantages are:
Heat and chemicals do cause the screens to break down rather quickly
Print size restricted due to the 18 inch width of the mesh
I'm sure some types of specialty printing (maybe even most) are not compatible
For a shop like mine where the vast majority of jobs are 1-2 spot colors and average about 60 pieces, the system is great. It's easy, fast, and clean. I don't even have running water in my shop...it would be nice, but I don't need it.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Ken
__________________ 350tees.com Talk Is Cheap, Especially On Our Shirts
We saw this system at ISS Fort Worth - the demo guy who actually used the system and not the salesman, had a screen created and on the press in less than 2 mins.
We're looking to stop contracting out our printing for jobs less than 100 pieces (which in my small town is 50%). I still want my guy with over 20 yrs in the biz to do 4+ color and the majority of the large orders because I dont' want to deal with that volume since he has auto presses etc.
But we're interested in doing sports, repeats, small orders (less than 12) for businesses and things like that.
Are you able to purchase the film in different mesh weights ? We saw a few traditional screens using glitter ink and it looked great and something we are very interested in.
We saw this system at ISS Fort Worth - the demo guy who actually used the system and not the salesman, had a screen created and on the press in less than 2 mins.
Yes you can do it that quickly. Generally I'm not moving that fast. On most jobs I will take the time to tape out the screen to eliminate any pin holes and that takes the most time. Still under 10 minutes moving at "normal" speed.
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We're looking to stop contracting out our printing for jobs less than 100 pieces (which in my small town is 50%). I still want my guy with over 20 yrs in the biz to do 4+ color and the majority of the large orders because I dont' want to deal with that volume since he has auto presses etc.
I think that you should consider this system. You will probably even start doing the larger 1 color jobs on light garments. I can do around 100 per hour (by myself) so the time is well spent.
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But we're interested in doing sports, repeats, small orders (less than 12) for businesses and things like that.
This system is perfect for this. Just be careful about your time spent on such small orders. Don't get roped into spending 2 hours on preparing bad art and an hour printing for $75.00.
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Are you able to purchase the film in different mesh weights ? We saw a few traditional screens using glitter ink and it looked great and something we are very interested in.
The mesh counts are 70, 100, 135, 200. The 70 is equal to a 110 on traditional screens. I use the 70 for about 70% of the jobs I do. I use the 100 for almost everything else. The glitter inks require a very low mesh count. I don't think that they would work with this mesh. You should ask them to be sure though.
Good luck,
Ken
__________________ 350tees.com Talk Is Cheap, Especially On Our Shirts
I also have a question: Are these screens one use, then throw away? Or can you clean them and save them for a future re-print?
Yes they are single use. The average cost per screen is +/- $5.00. I charge $25.00 for a new screen and $10.00 on re-orders. Most printers will charge the full $25.00 again after 30, 60 or 90 days.
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Also, is costs still around $5,000 for the entire system?
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I don't know. I have never priced a system. I bought an existing business that already had the system in place.
Good luck,
Ken
__________________ 350tees.com Talk Is Cheap, Especially On Our Shirts
Trust me, stay away from this equipment. It is garbage. Does not put out quality work and the company is rude and lie when they are questioned about the quality.
Xpress Screen: poly coated heat sensitive screen? 
