[abrown]

Hi,

I have been in business for over a year now and I have contracted all of my screen printing out. I'm very familiar with the front office of things with screen printing business and some what with the printing process.

My question is....I have been looking on line for the type of machine I will need to complete the (what I think) are difficult jobs. I have around 5 clients who print a 8 spot color design on a wide variety of colored tees. I really want to purchase my own equipment so that my profits increase more. I'm tired of giving other people my monies...

Can anyone please help with this? If I can get a used manual that can do the job that would be great...of course if it is a good model...what do all of you experts think?

My clients also usually a minimum of 200 pieces...what other equipment should I go with? Is there a company that sells at a reasonable price a whole set that will stand the time of 2-3 years until I can upgrade?

I know you guys will direct me in the right direction.

thanks.

 

[pwapparel]

Make sure you have the sales to invest in this, but I think Silk Screening Supplies .com, screen printing equipment, silk screen printing kits has the best options for you.

 

[abrown]

Thanks....After staying up way to late last night. I think I found the perfect solution and it is on the same site you suggested.

Low Rider Screen Printing Package Compact but High Production

but a with one that I will be able to print 8 colors with. Which do you think I should go with?

And this may sound dumb but..I do not get:
6/4
8/4
8/8???????

I need something that can print a 8 color job plus my contract printers told me that one of my clients designs require 2 flashes. I really appreciate you help in this.

 

[NeroInferno]

hello abrown,
it seems you've a good number of clients, and you can switch to a pro setup, it seems you need at least a 8 colour carousel but for what i've understood you don't want to buy an automatic carousel

IMHO you should point a manual 8 stations / 8 colours, and in future point for an automatic carousel. Flashes can be placed between the stations, and when the pallets finish under the flashes, they *SWAP* ..turn up.

Consider that the flashes consume a lot, at least here in Europe the more economical consume 7kW...but generally you yanks haven't these common Italian problems

Consider on more that 8 colours must register wonderfully now and in the next 10 years so buy a good machine!

I always suggest the Anatol mod. Violet (Heavy Duty Series), Anatol produces this manual carousel up to 12 colours/stations, but i haven't never seen a LowRider, so i don't want to judge.

Consider another thing if you want to switch to an automatic machine, the automatic carousels:

- consume
- they can have failures (when the manual one never)
- they need employers

Let us know your final choice!
Fabio

ps. 6/4 = 6 colours / 4 stations, 8/4 = 8 colours / 4 stations, 8/8 = 8 colours/ 8 stations

 

[jmlampert23]

i would recommend going to a trade show and talking to all the different vendors but if you have the money i would seriously check out M&R's products. they are some of the best around

 

[GlennC]

I guess I have a different take on this. With the cost of a large press, dryers, exposure, all the chemicals, mess, TIME, energy, and more TIME, You may come out better to keep subbing that out. If you can keep all this equipment at home where you don't have any overhead, Have all kinds of free time on your hands, then it might be worth it. Or if you plan on a full blown shop cranking out work everyday to payback all the cost of the equipment and continuious overhead. But be honest with yourself with all the cost involved and make sure you enjoy doing this. Otherwise your stuff will wind up on ebay with all the others. I would probably ask one of your printers if you can spend some time observing/working with the whole process.

I just purchased a small 4 color table top press for $300, $360 in chemicals/tools, hand made an exposure unit, work table, drying rack and more.
I probably have 1k in already and need more.
But I intend on doing smaller jobs 1st for my business needs, (I need tons of coroplast signs and some t-shirts). Then maybe some smaller jobs for others. The big complicated jobs will go to the guys with the automatic presses.

In my other business, we try to get someone else to do all the WORK and just write checks and focus on making more money. How many more jobs can you get if you have more time to sell as opposed to being the one doing all the work? Who knows, my stuff may wind up on ebay too. Anyway, just a thought.

 

[jmlampert23]

I guess I have a different take on this. With the cost of a large press, dryers, exposure, all the chemicals, mess, TIME, energy, and more TIME, You may come out better to keep subbing that out. If you can keep all this equipment at home where you don't have any overhead, Have all kinds of free time on your hands, then it might be worth it. Or if you plan on a full blown shop cranking out work everyday to payback all the cost of the equipment and continuious overhead. But be honest with yourself with all the cost involved and make sure you enjoy doing this. Otherwise your stuff will wind up on ebay with all the others. I would probably ask one of your printers if you can spend some time observing/working with the whole process.

I just purchased a small 4 color table top press for $300, $360 in chemicals/tools, hand made an exposure unit, work table, drying rack and more.
I probably have 1k in already and need more.
But I intend on doing smaller jobs 1st for my business needs, (I need tons of coroplast signs and some t-shirts). Then maybe some smaller jobs for others. The big complicated jobs will go to the guys with the automatic presses.

In my other business, we try to get someone else to do all the WORK and just write checks and focus on making more money. How many more jobs can you get if you have more time to sell as opposed to being the one doing all the work? Who knows, my stuff may wind up on ebay too. Anyway, just a thought.

you only have $1000 bucks invested? that is nothing. I just brought in a new M&R sidewinder Series R press for 8500 bucks. to start a print shop from scratch you are going to be looking at well over 15 to 20 thousand bucks

 

[GlennC]

That's the point I'm trying to get across. I've gone cheap on expenses and still need more. It's a big investment to do it right like a full blown shop. I'm buying just enough equipment to satisfy my needs for my other business. He needs to take a hard look at the costs and the commitment it takes to work it. Is he going to work by himself, have employees? Here you pay more for commercial utilities as opposed to your home. With employees, it just opens up a whole can of worms with payroll, taxes, benefits, sickness. The shop owner I talked to yesterday, said he just can't find anyone who wants to work anymore. Just all variables to think about. Not trying to be negative, just truthful. In reality, a business owner should be able to hire the right people, have it run itself. Be able to leave for a year, come back and the business be stronger than when you left. I know that is totally out of the box for most to consider, but it's the way some do it. Find another business, build it, repeat, sell it if you like. Work on the business, not in it. Anyway not my original ideas, I learned from others.

 

[jmlampert23]

That's the point I'm trying to get across. I've gone cheap on expenses and still need more. It's a big investment to do it right like a full blown shop. I'm buying just enough equipment to satisfy my needs for my other business. He needs to take a hard look at the costs and the commitment it takes to work it. Is he going to work by himself, have employees? Here you pay more for commercial utilities as opposed to your home. With employees, it just opens up a whole can of worms with payroll, taxes, benefits, sickness. The shop owner I talked to yesterday, said he just can't find anyone who wants to work anymore. Just all variables to think about. Not trying to be negative, just truthful. In reality, a business owner should be able to hire the right people, have it run itself. Be able to leave for a year, come back and the business be stronger than when you left. I know that is totally out of the box for most to consider, but it's the way some do it. Find another business, build it, repeat, sell it if you like. Work on the business, not in it. Anyway not my original ideas, I learned from others.

your preaching to the choir!!!! i run my own shop. i do all the art works, screen coating, reclaiming, printing, folding, checking in of orders, deal with customers, i works many hours a week. i love it but it is not for everyone. plus it gets expensive. this equipment is not cheap, especially if you are running the good stuff