Hi,
What would be the options I would look for in a press if I wanted to print 4 color process work?
Even if I do not go that way, I really like the ability to keep tight registration and ease of setup.
Thanks,
John
Look for a press that offers microregistration (for tight registration) and pin registration (for ease of setup). Other than that, just buy the highest quality press you can afford.
Keep in mind that you may want to buy a 6-color instead of a 4-color in case you want to do process or simulated process on dark shirts.
Yes, I agree with previous poster; you definately need a press w/ micro registration. Also, look for a good qualtity press, one that will not rock or move when you print on it, and also metal parts as opposed to plastic. Best thing is to go to a show & actually "feel" the press. Look for things like a smooth movement in the print head & platen carousels. If you can afford side clamps, those are much better at holding screens in tight registration than rear clamps, simply because more area of the frame is being held on 2 sides, rather than just the rear of the frame. Also, use metal (aluminum) frames; the cost is now pretty close to wood frames, but they don't warp & come apart at the joints, and last forever. Also, mesh can be stretched tighter on a metal frame, which for process color work, really makes a difference. Don't cheap out on your frames; you'll be glad you spent the extra $$$ down the road.
One other thing to consider, you can buy a good press and gear but you have to remember with all this you will still have inconsistent squeegee impression on any manual press. Color reproduction will fluctuate from piece to piece because it's impossible for a human to duplicate/repeat what a machine can do. For the most consistent print quality and minimum dot gain, running process on an automatic is the way to go.
__________________ 2007 Impressions Magazine Screen Printing Grand Champion, People's Choice & 1st Place Special Effects.
Color reproduction will fluctuate from piece to piece because it's impossible for a human to duplicate/repeat what a machine can do.
People may not be perfect, buy they are more than adequate to perform the task.
The most important aspect to printing good color is to calibrate the press. Regardless if the press is manual or automatic, there will be some amount of press gain. Calibration compensates the gain by modifying the dot size on the film.
The way the film is separated and the way the film is printed and exposed, along with a good washout procedure is all essential to high quality printing. A manual press with screens prepped by a commercial exposure unit will print better than an automatic using foam rubber and florescent tubes.
When the day comes, that i do buy an automatic, i'll also be looking to upgrade from process color to hexachrome or better. 4 color process is great, but not when compared to 6 or 10 color process. The difference is the additions of extra colors to expand the color gamma.
I'd put the process color prints from my manual press against any automatic. This is not to say that the automatic isn't capable of producing a better print, but just having an automatic press will not by itself produce a better print.
A good apology of what I'm talking about is a guitar. YES, a computer playing a midi file verses a person playing a well tuned guitar.
The advantage of screen printing over guitars is they rhythm isn't required.
fred
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What is a Good Press for Process Work 
