Hey all wanting to start screen printing, just got back from ISS show in Fort Worth. First show and it was great.
Well now, after talking to many people, not sure if we should start up with a manual press or just start with the auto. Really liked the hopkins manual and the M&R auto. Any thoughts, on what would be best for a newbie? Thanks for the help
Its my opinion that a newb just starting out should not start with an automatic press... I think it is important to understand the techniques and nuances of the printing process. When using a manual press at first to learn, very quickly you will understand the importance of screen meshes, squeege pressures, speeds, and a whole bunch of other things.. The knowledge gained from that will ultimately help when and if you do get an automatic.. There are a whole bunch of problems that can arise any given day on any given print while using an automatic and the knowledge that you gain from the manual will be extremely beneficial to your trouble shooting process..
Having said that, I started printing from day one on an automatic press and over the years, printed on manuals as well.. Had i started out on a manual press, my first days and months on the automatic would have been much easier for me. To warrant getting an automatic press, there has to be enough business generated in your company to actually have it be worth while.. If you are only printing 6 dozen shirts here and 2 dozen shirts of that and 3 dozen of this.. You will lose so much money in time spent setting up the auto for jobs like that.
To add to what has already been said by Jimmy, DO NOT jump right into an auto. You need consistent larger volume to pay for it. The ancillary costs like large dryer, compressor, high ink usage, larger screens, many more screens, etc.
Not to mention you can ruin a bunch of shirts fast! We just ruined 12 before we realized there was a problem- order was for only 24 pcs.
Manual vs. Auto 
