I'm ordering equipment in the next few days and want some opinions. I'm thinking of the Semi Pro Plus from Ryonet. It's a 6/2 press, add the micros. Upgrade the exposure unit to 25x36 for $100. Upgrade the flash to an 18x18 for $141. Don't have the money for a conveyor dryer. Get the washout booth or a diptank? Order the Epson 1430 with Accurip for $1079. Order Corel Draw x5 for $179. I will convert the exposure unit to a vacuum unit for less than $100. All of this I can do for less than $5K. Sound good?
Starting with the Silver Press
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Sounds like a good start. A lot of people are going to recommend used, but there is something nice about getting everything brand new and working, especially when you are learning.
If the question is between a washout booth and a dip tank...100% go washout booth. I have a both, but lately I'm finding I can work faster with the spray on emulsion remover. Either way, a dip tank without a washout booth sounds like a big mess.
Good luck!
Nick
If the question is between a washout booth and a dip tank...100% go washout booth. I have a both, but lately I'm finding I can work faster with the spray on emulsion remover. Either way, a dip tank without a washout booth sounds like a big mess.
Good luck!
Nick
Thanks Nick, a lot of people do say to buy used but what if its damaged and a rookie wouldn't know what to look for. Plus you still have to get the other equipment. I just want a nice press without spending a ton to get started. I think this is a good start.
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I started with something similar to what you are saying (although a little slower in stages). Once I really learned what I was doing, then I started looking into used stuff. I don't think in the beginning when I was learning I would have been able to tell a really good deal from a really big headache!
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If I were you, from my personal experience, I would get a 4 station as it looks like you plan on using your flash dryer to cure. You'll find with a 2 station your platens will get to hot to fast and you'll spend a lot of downtime waiting for your platens to cool. If you get a 4 station you can be printing, flashing, while having fans blow on the other to cool between passes. It'll be a lot faster for you unless speed is not a concern????
I'm just starting out so I thought that speed isn't as critical right now as making sure I got the process down right. I thought that I might have the flash on the opposite side from where I'll print and have a fan on the station where I would print. Would that work?
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It's better than nothing but it may get in your way. 2 cooling stations would be best. I know how it goes trying to save money and what not but I think you'll really be happier down the road with a 4 station.
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Personally, I'd skip the printer/RIP combo and just get a cheap 13x19 Epson for $200 and use Ghostscript for any halftone work (which is what I do now). I'd whittle down or eliminate anything I could in the way of supplies in a "package" deal. I'd buy a utility sink from Home Depot for washout. I'd build my own exposure unit. You can build one with 6 24" fixtures that plug into a strip to eliminate any electrical work if you can form up a simple box shape with support for the glass, then add the vacuum lid you're going to build anyway. Then I'd start looking for a gently used BBC "Little Buddy" or comparable conveyor dryer. You could probably scare one up for $1400 or less. You're going to find getting any kind of production using a two-platen press and a flash for curing unbearably slow, and you'll be replacing platens on a regular basis. If you absolutely must cure with a flash, at least get an old ironing board and set your flash so you can swing it over the ironing board to cure while you print.
A RIP is nice but easy enough to work around. I've always been a bit suspicious of "supply kits" because you end up with stuff someone else "thinks" you need. JMHO.
A RIP is nice but easy enough to work around. I've always been a bit suspicious of "supply kits" because you end up with stuff someone else "thinks" you need. JMHO.
Thanks for the advice Tom. Is Ghostscript a free software program? Does the Epson just print with black ink? I could build the exposure unit, seeing all the DIY vids on YouTube. You've given me some more to think about. I was going to do the kit because of the supplies and chemicals. That is where I'm really lost as to what is needed to get started.
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Ghostscript is freeware that runs on a PC. Coupled with the interface Ghostview, it'll allow you to output postscript files as halftones to an inkjet printer, or any printer that isn't postscript enabled. A google search, or a search on this and other screenprinting forums will get you some answers on setting it up. It's a bit squirrelly, but it does a good job, and you can't beat the price. Many use the less expensive Epson printers and do very well. The advantage of a RIP, in addition to enabling postscript info, is they have adjustments to darken up the ink. Most inkjet printers have sufficient controls in the printer dialog box to do the same. I currently use an older HP 9800 printer, using standard cartridges, that prints sufficiently dense films, and use Ghostscript for any halftone work.
Your biggest obstacles as a newbie will be getting your exposure times correct for the emulsion/mesh combination you select, and artwork if you're not familiar with CorelDRAW or Illustrator. Corel comes with PhotoPaint which is supposed to be similar to Photoshop, both raster programs which you'll eventually need one of for photographic style work.
Supply-wise, buy local if you can. A cotton white ink, black, and bright red, royal blue, and either lemon or golden yellow.
You'll need a cheap pressure washer to reclaim your screens, plus ink degradent and emulsion remover. Get a quart of each to start to get a handle on reclaiming. Don't reclaim in your bathtub, unless you're single and own your own home.
There are tons of links and videos on the internet to review most of the processes.
Your biggest obstacles as a newbie will be getting your exposure times correct for the emulsion/mesh combination you select, and artwork if you're not familiar with CorelDRAW or Illustrator. Corel comes with PhotoPaint which is supposed to be similar to Photoshop, both raster programs which you'll eventually need one of for photographic style work.
Supply-wise, buy local if you can. A cotton white ink, black, and bright red, royal blue, and either lemon or golden yellow.
You'll need a cheap pressure washer to reclaim your screens, plus ink degradent and emulsion remover. Get a quart of each to start to get a handle on reclaiming. Don't reclaim in your bathtub, unless you're single and own your own home.
There are tons of links and videos on the internet to review most of the processes.
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I can't comment on the quality of a silver press. 4 shirtboards are better than 2. Some seem to have good things to say about the silver press, others have issues. There are certainly worse presses out there, especially the ones with the magnets to hold up print arms. Personally, I'd be looking for a used floor model press from a good manufacturer. There are deals to be had if you have patience.
The best piece of advice I can give you? Don't be in such a hurry that you'll buy anything just to get something. On the other hand, if you're new to the game, don't take a credit card to a show, max it out on professional equipment only to find out that you hate screenprinting. The second scenario is how I got my current press, only 4 months old, from someone who discovered it was hot in their garage when they got home from their regular job and it was time to print, and sold it to me for 2/3 the price they paid. The only problem was I didn't have the money to clean them out of their dryer, too, which was nicer than the one I had (and still use).
Patience is key to get off to a start with decent equipment that won't trip you up at every turn, and buying a bunch of stuff you may or may never use. Take your time, read everything you can. I haven't had a lot of the problems I see posted because I'd read a bunch before I pulled the first squeegie.
The best piece of advice I can give you? Don't be in such a hurry that you'll buy anything just to get something. On the other hand, if you're new to the game, don't take a credit card to a show, max it out on professional equipment only to find out that you hate screenprinting. The second scenario is how I got my current press, only 4 months old, from someone who discovered it was hot in their garage when they got home from their regular job and it was time to print, and sold it to me for 2/3 the price they paid. The only problem was I didn't have the money to clean them out of their dryer, too, which was nicer than the one I had (and still use).
Patience is key to get off to a start with decent equipment that won't trip you up at every turn, and buying a bunch of stuff you may or may never use. Take your time, read everything you can. I haven't had a lot of the problems I see posted because I'd read a bunch before I pulled the first squeegie.
I used the 6x2 for a looong time. Just now upgraded to to a Sidewinder 6/6 with air locks.
Keep in mind, the 6x2 is a good startup press but you will not be able to print perfectly registered shirts. You have to be very gentle when you swing it around during a production run because you do not want to loose registration.
Also, I definitely recommend finding a 4 station at least because I had to stop about 2-3 times during a job and had to cool down the pallets with ice cubes when I was using just a flash. If I was you one the of first things would be get a conveyor and flash. You absolutely need both. Make sure you buy pallet tape also, it will save your pallets!
You don't need a washout booth right now, you can just wash out screens outside with a pressure washer. I'm hoping you have one! If not, buy a 1750psi ELECTRIC one. Make sure it's electric! Because when you do get a washout booth, the gas one will be very loud inside where your washout booth is.
As for output system, I used a Epson 1100 that I bought from OfficeMax for $50 on sale and then just used the $30 all-black output system from here, you have to buy the refillable damper cartridge, here and then fill those cartridges with this ink. Messy to refill, but Super dark films! You also might want to buy a chip re-setter just in case. You HAVE to buy water-proof films though which run about a $1 each (13x19). Literally, they aren't water-proof. I use a black tube (put my films inside the tube), take them to my darkroom and then take them out (I have to walk outside to get the darkroom. In Washington, it rains all the time. You can see my problem.)
Exposure unit, I built myself. With a vacuum lid. Check out my thread. Will run you $400-500 max! And you'll get great exposures even with halftones!
Software.. I LOVE accurip. And the creator, Charlie, is just a genius! If you really cant buy it, sucks. If you can, please do. If you do go with the black ink method like I said earlier, you definitely need AccuRip. I don't if that other program supports an all-black ink system.
That's just my 2 cents.
Also, never EVER ever ever promise a customer something you can't do. ALWAYS turn out horrible. Believe me, I've been through that.
Thanks, Ruben.
Keep in mind, the 6x2 is a good startup press but you will not be able to print perfectly registered shirts. You have to be very gentle when you swing it around during a production run because you do not want to loose registration.
Also, I definitely recommend finding a 4 station at least because I had to stop about 2-3 times during a job and had to cool down the pallets with ice cubes when I was using just a flash. If I was you one the of first things would be get a conveyor and flash. You absolutely need both. Make sure you buy pallet tape also, it will save your pallets!
You don't need a washout booth right now, you can just wash out screens outside with a pressure washer. I'm hoping you have one! If not, buy a 1750psi ELECTRIC one. Make sure it's electric! Because when you do get a washout booth, the gas one will be very loud inside where your washout booth is.
As for output system, I used a Epson 1100 that I bought from OfficeMax for $50 on sale and then just used the $30 all-black output system from here, you have to buy the refillable damper cartridge, here and then fill those cartridges with this ink. Messy to refill, but Super dark films! You also might want to buy a chip re-setter just in case. You HAVE to buy water-proof films though which run about a $1 each (13x19). Literally, they aren't water-proof. I use a black tube (put my films inside the tube), take them to my darkroom and then take them out (I have to walk outside to get the darkroom. In Washington, it rains all the time. You can see my problem.)
Exposure unit, I built myself. With a vacuum lid. Check out my thread. Will run you $400-500 max! And you'll get great exposures even with halftones!
Software.. I LOVE accurip. And the creator, Charlie, is just a genius! If you really cant buy it, sucks. If you can, please do. If you do go with the black ink method like I said earlier, you definitely need AccuRip. I don't if that other program supports an all-black ink system.
That's just my 2 cents.
Also, never EVER ever ever promise a customer something you can't do. ALWAYS turn out horrible. Believe me, I've been through that.
Thanks, Ruben.
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The printer I use is Epson 1100 ($100) I bought re-fillable cartridges on eBay $20 with ink.. As they ran out of ink I started to re-fill them with black ink. I got REALLY lucky and found Lil buddy conveyor dryer $500 on Craigslist. I built my own washout sink (home depot) $50..Built my own exposure unit complete with vacuum top $150.. So will some DIY skills and some $$ you can make it happen..I piece of advice buy ink by the gallon not the quart "do the math"
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McRubbin and Footprint, thanks for the advice. I am probably going to rethink this after all the great input I've been getting. Everyone on this site is just great in sharing all their knowledge. I can make the vacuum exposure for less then $200, got the carpentry skills and the washout booth idea from Home Depot stuff is something I hadn't thought of. You guys rock!
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I just recently put together a DIY washout booth. I used a double utility tub from home depot, pvc and glass board (heard it called many different things). it turned out pretty good! I purchased an epson artisan 1430, waterproof transfer sheets, accurip and refillable cartridges all seperately and was able to save myself some money. best of luck!
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I used the same thing. You can cut the center partition out with a saw, smooth the edges leaving just a little bit of a "rib" for strength, and I surrounded it with those translucent corrugated plastic panels. Works like a champ.
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ah ha! good idea about sawing out the middle! i may have to do that!
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