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eyecandy · July 29th, 2007

Hi guys, I am new to screen printing. I was originally looking into the DTG printers, but of the samples I received I was really not satisfied with the quality/feel of the print. I will admit the images looked outstanding it just didn't have a quality feel to it. Anyways now I am exploring the screen printing avenue. I have been searching the web and contacting suppliers/manufacturers. I am still having a tough time deciding on the right equipment. I just received my copy of the How to Print T-shirts book, and I am just about finished with it. After reading it I am more comfortable about the entire process, during my reading on various forums I was getting worried that this was not for me, I was getting the feeling of discouragement from the replies, but the book has really helped. Has any purchased the DVD sereis From silkscreensupplies?

From reading here, it seems as though the general concensus is to buy used equipment for starters. I am fine with that it may help get better equipment at a cheaper cost, but I am having a hard time finding used equipment. Besides that I am not sure what to look for in terms of potential problems/broken equipment. A few things I do know is I wan the ability to print light to dark shirts, as well as sweat shirts, maybe pants/shorts and jackets. I already know I will need 3 maybe 4 colors for one shirt design I have in mind, so I am looking for at minimum 4 color press.

In terms of new equipment I have been looking into the Riley Hopkins presses from silkscreensupplies, and the Printa 770 series. I am constantly getting drawn to the Printa system for a number of reasons.

-more compact that all the others out there, and most of the setup can be done in one area
-lifetime warranty (question is how is customer service... the guys seem great when talking over the phone)
-I can upgrade from a 4/4 head to a 6/4 for around $1k later down the road.
-a few other minor things

Not sure about any drawbacks, maybe you guys can help. The one I can see is the price, more expensive than the average, but it does have a drying/curing unit for the screens, again not sure about the quality of it.

How necessary is a drying/curing unit for the screens? I am having a bit of trouble finding one. As well a a decent wash out sink...

Then I was looking into the entry level, just the ease my way in and start small, from silkscreensupplies http://www.silkscreeningsupplies.com/site/799934/product/1008 or similar by piecing together my own, any recommendations on this?

-How does registration work on a press as this? And is there a press out there like this (4 color/1 station or 2) with micro registration?
-I assume this has the ability to make quality prints, with the only handicap being the skill of the user.

macmiller · July 29th, 2007

I posted about a printa the other day. i have a workhorse, but considered the printa after i saw it at an ISS show last year. it's really a pretty neat setup for hobby or light commercial use. i think the main drawback would be the screens, they have alignment pins to register with and i don't know how much those cost and how long the pins hold up. if it only has 4 screens and you print a lot of mulicolored stuff, you'll get frustrated pretty quick not having extra screens. the light table setup was pretty cool, that looks like it'd save a ton of setup time. i'm not sure it has micros, but since the way the screens lock in, you might not need micros, as long as those pins hold up?????

i think it has a flash cure, which would probably work for short runs, (even though i know a guy who did 300 sweatshirt/pant sets with just a flash!) but your production will only go as fast as you can cure, and a conveyor is the way to go. i have a workhorse 5' dryer, uses 110v and works great. they run around $1800 or so.

good luck!
mac

eyecandy · July 30th, 2007

Thanks macmiller, I talked to them today about the screens (forgot to ask about the pin registration) and new ones run $30-40 w/screens in them. They also said its $20 to replace the screens. I have not looked into the screens so I am not sure if this is the average...

One thing I forgot to add is intentions and the quanitity I am looking at doing, which will be on the lower end. If I were to give it an average probably around 50 at a time, I am sure there will be times of more or less. This is more of a hobby/side job I have been wanting to explore for the past few years and finally decided to anty up and purchase the equipment. I have friends and family with their own businesses so I will more than likely take over there printing needs or start printing some shirts for them if they do not have any. As well as various designs ideas I have floating around. Plus something new to occupy my time and hopefully have a grat time doing so.

If I were to peice a kit together myself, what would you guys recommend in equipment?