screen printing

marty taylor · Oct 29, 2008

Hi,

I have a screen printing business in Colorado and I need to find screens for oversize printing (the actual screens themselves). They need to hold an image area of about 30 inches by 30 inches. Does anyone know of a supplier for large screens like this.

Thanks,

Marty

studog79 · Oct 30, 2008

Have a welder make you some.

Solmu · Oct 30, 2008

Have you tried asking your regular screen supplier if they make them to order?

marty taylor · Oct 30, 2008

I want them already stretched with mesh. I run 2 autos (8 & 10 color) and 5 manual presses, plus 25 heads of embroidery and I got out of the screen stretching business years ago. I stretch my roller frames on a pneumatic stretching table but it only handles 23"x32" ODs and I need something about 40"x40". Damn oversize printing just pushes everything into another dimension from art to exposure unit to screens, presses and on and on.

marty taylor · Oct 30, 2008

Yes, most regular suppliers only carry up to a 32"x23" (OD) and that just isn't big enough.

spreadingink · Oct 31, 2008

You will have to have them custom made - that is what we did, I don't know anyone in CO. but you ought to be able to get some from a local supplier that already does restretching of statics or mfg. of statics. That is how we got ours.

Hope this helps.

Dave

Solmu · Oct 31, 2008

marty taylor said:
Yes, most regular suppliers only carry up to a 32"x23" (OD) and that just isn't big enough.

Not to sound like a broken record, I don't want to be just pointing out the obvious if you've already done this, but have you actually asked them what size they can go up to? Not just what they carry.

My local does them in-house. Not sure what their limit is, but I know they do screens around 6'x8' (for flags). They also make 2"x1" screens for circuit boards. But if I was going by their price list I would think their smallest screen was 15"x19" and their biggest screen was 33"x43".

spreadingink · Oct 31, 2008

Right - just cause they aren't 'in stock' doesn't mean they aren't available.

Dave

adawg2252 · Oct 31, 2008

I'm in Massachusetts and my supplier has ordered me 6' x 8' screens before. I also use 40" x 40" screens on a regular basis on my flatbed and I had to order a few at a time, but once I had a good stock of them I just got a stretching table and I restretch the 40 x 40's but I ship the 6' x 8's back to them for them to re-stretch. They're in MA though so that might be too far and expensive to ship large frames.

I'm sure somebody out there can get you something that size. I know it exists!

Good luck!

marty taylor · Oct 31, 2008

Thanks Dave,

Custom it will have to be it appears. Are you using wood or metal frames and are you auto or manual?
Thanks,
Marty

adawg2252 · Oct 31, 2008

If you're asking me, It's a semi-auto (pneumatic, foot-pedal operated) flatbed press. It's just a one color. I do a lot of stuff that only requires one color, and a lot of coroplast signs for construction and landscaping guys. Also do some stuff for local stores in my area.

They are all aluminum frames.

Tj Ryonet Tech · Oct 31, 2008

Definitely ask the supplier. Just because it is not "stock" does not mean that it can't be done.

spreadingink · Oct 31, 2008

We're automatic - 8 color with 40x50 platens. Metal frames for sure, looked at box frames from Newman, but couldn't afford the stretching machine for them (13K+). We use newmans for 'regular' stuff.

Thanks,

Dave

marty taylor · Oct 31, 2008

Dave,
Thanks again for the info. Went to your website; impressive. You are obviously very professional, very much like the descriptive explaining the different techniques of printing. I have been doing this for 30 years and survived the first go around of AOP but am being coerced by customers & market and may be forced to go this direction. I am going to contact you via your website to inquire about contract printing. Thanks again... Marty

marty taylor · Oct 31, 2008

Yes, tried that route. With everything being digitally printed for large formats, it is difficult to find screens larger than standard auto frames (32"x23"). I am finding some info on pre-stretched wood but want aluminum. Know they are out there, just haven't found them yet.

Thanks,
Marty

corradomatt · Oct 31, 2008

marty taylor said:
Yes, tried that route. With everything being digitally printed for large formats, it is difficult to find screens larger than standard auto frames (32"x23"). I am finding some info on pre-stretched wood but want aluminum. Know they are out there, just haven't found them yet.

Thanks,
Marty

Hey Marty,

We supplied the screens to Dave at Spreading Ink. We're located in San Diego though...so your shipping would be kinda high for some oversized screen like those. In fact they would probably need to be shipped by a truck on a pallet! You are probably looking at about $200-$300 just in shipping! The screens are about $60 - $90 a piece depending on mesh and size.

We could quote something for you if you want.....but I would definitely keep looking in your area. Maybe even if you have to get the frame welded and stretch and glue the mesh yourself.

spreadingink · Jan 6, 2009

The screens were over 100.00 ea for all mesh counts, but Matt is correct that we did get our frames from his company.

Thanks,

Dave

jmlampert23 · Jan 6, 2009

what ever company you get your stuff from will probably be able to make you some custom screens. i get mine from melray industries

screen printing

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