We are wanting to upgrade to a 6-color / 4or6-station screen printing press and was wondering what everyones thoughts are on brand. I have been told to stay away from the joy stick registration?? Also we do want a press with arms for more options of moving screens in and out. Any ideas, please.
The M&R Chameleon is a heavy duty press. I have had mine for 6 years and its still going strong. The micro registration is very tight. Definently get side clamps. If you are looking for a press for production I would aslo highly suggest getting a 6 platen press over the 4. The extra 2 platens over a long period of time printing will speed up the job. Less turning more printing. www.mrprint.com
The press is a little on the higher price range but well worth every penny. Plus if you ever decide to upgrade to an automatic everything is interchangeable. Palettes and micro registration are the same.
less of a learning curve.
just my .02
good luck in your decision. You might want to try to get to an industry trade show and see some first hand.
I have a brown press. 6 color 4 station. It is a good press, but nothing like the M&R.
I looked around and got my whole setup from a place that specializes in Repo's of presses. I got a good price, and it does everything I want it to. If you have the time and patience you might look at getting one used.
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n o r m www.normsbrand.com - Saving the World, One Chest at a Time
Here is a list of manual presses with links to websites of the ones that I see a lot at the trade shows. I always recommend seeing the press in person before making the purchase. Hope this helps.
I have a Antec 6 color 6 station and it has done very well. it isn't as nice as an M&R but a good workhorse. I have had it 5-6 years with no problems at all . i set up a 4 color job with good registration in less than 20 minutes yesterday
i have a workhorse 6-4 too, if had waited a few months when i saw a hix, i would have bought that one, the micros were better than the WH. it was a good price i thought
If I had to do it over again I would with go with the M&R. The side clamps and micros are really worth the extra money. I printed on one for two weeks at an SGIA workshop and it was a breeze to set up.
The Lawson Beta I am looking at has side clamps, micro and is $995 for the bench (within my budge). I never used a slide clamp. Does anyone have this press? Phillip, so you do think they are that good huh? I looked at Antec (dynamic) and that looks ok. Flimsy looking table legs and they use nylon bolts at the arm regristration. Lawson uses the roller bearing locator- which I think is better. Lawson micro might be hokey thought. The Odyssey is $1650 for the 4 color table top with micro - too pricy right now for me. The Livingston 4 color looks ok but kinda hokey too. what to do. what to do?
buying a new screen press: which brand? 
