ARE YOU READY TO MAKE THE JUMP?

While manual screen printing is fun, challenging and rewarding, we still occasionally dream about that big automatic set up. But what do you need to consider before making the jump and how much will all this new kit cost? 

Luckily we have lots of friends in the industry who have given us tips and crucial information to consider before making the transition. We have even included some prices of the latest automatic screen printing presses and machinery to help you make the best decision for your studio. Here are some things to consider;

SPACE

The amount of space you will need can often be under estimated. When measuring out your space, remember to include enough room for flash dryers and a good workflow around your press. You need to be able to load and unload your platens with ease and you will need an unobscured path to your tunnel dryer entrance. Remember your conveyor dryer and flash units may need to be upgraded too, so include these new units into your floor plan.

ELECTRIC SUPPLY

Unlike your manual press, automatic presses need to use a substantial amount of electricity. In general, most autos are powered by 3 phase electric which is often found in large commercial units however less likely to be available in your standard home studio. The additional power supply does not stop at your new auto press… remember you may need to upgrade your dryer and flash units too. Make sure your electric supply can take the higher demand before upgrading to auto.

AIRLINES

Electricity isn’t your only concern when upgrading to an automatic press. Most autos are pneumatic which means you will need to install airlines in your studio including an air compressor. Make sure to speak to your screen print supplier before purchasing as they will be able to talk you through this step before your purchase.

FLASH DRYERS & CONVEYOR DRYERS

When you start running an automatic press your workload will quickly increase. You will need your dryers to be able to keep up with the demand. Firstly you may find the need to upgrade your flash dryers to allow for more heat control. You may also consider using multiple flash dryers per print job however a great way to reduce the number of flash dryers is by learning how to print wet on wet. Check out our YouTube video showing automatic screen printing using discharge ink, wet on wet :

When your workflow increases you will need your conveyor dryer to keep up. Investing in a large tunnel dryer is essential. Look for a dryer with a big belt, if you can put 2 t-shirts side by side on your belt, you will have less downtime waiting for shirts to cure.

HOW MANY COLOURS CAN AN AUTOMATIC SCREEN PRINTING PRESS PRINT?

Automatics work a little differently to manual presses. Generally with a manual press, if you have 6 heads you can print 6 colours… but this isn’t always the case with automatics. Bare in mind how many flash units you will be running per job, as each flash will need to sit in a print station potentially reducing the amount of colours you can print. If you are someone who loves to screen print crazy 10 colour artworks, it is worth doing some research and investing in a larger press from the get go.

SCREEN SIZE

A lot of manual printers start by using small 20″ x 24″ screens. Even if you are not ready to make the jump over to an auto press, it might be good practice to start using larger screens in anticipation. Most automatic presses use 23″ x 31″ screens as standard. You can use the big screens on a manual press just fine and in our opinion, if you do lots of oversize prints like us, they are easier to print with too!

Is purchasing an automatic screen printing press a good investment?

Yes! But is a good idea to have an existing customer base before investing in an automatic screen printing press. Your auto will help you complete jobs much faster and you will be able to print a substantial amount more t-shirts per day… but you will need to keep orders coming through the door to maintain and pay off your investment.

What equipment do I need to purchase when upgrading my studio to auto?

Check out our YouTube video where we visit Printwear & Promotion 2023. Take a tour around the Screen Print World stand:

How much does an automatic screen printing press cost?

Automatic screen printing presses can vary in price dramatically. If you are looking to purchase a new, high spec machine we would suggest looking into the M&R Copperhead Rival automatic press. This press is currently priced at £285 per week on a 60 month term. The best place to purchase a new press is from Screen Print World and you can use our discount code (CRP5) on anything you purchase from the website. Check out the M&R Copperhead Rival here: 

M&R Copperhead Rival

How much does a tunnel dryer cost?

If you are planning on upgrading your press, you will need a conveyor dryer suitable to keep up with the increased demand. A good option would be to invest in the M&R Copperhead Charge conveyor dryer. This comes in a variety of sizes and you should expect to pay around £230 per week over a 60 month period. The best place to purchase a new conveyor dryer is from Screen Print World and you can use our discount code (CRP5) on anything you purchase from the website. Check out the M&R Copperhead Charge here: 

M&R Copperhead Charge Electric Conveyor Dryer

How much does the Lotus screen cleaner cost?

When you start taking on more orders, your screen cleaning department will need to increase too. It might be worth investing in a fully automatic screen reclaiming system. This will speed up your workflow and keep nasty chemicals contained. The Lotus Holland Evo compact reclaiming system should be perfect for anyone in the process of automating their screen printing shop. You can purchase the Lotus Holland reclaiming system from Screen Print World for just £80 per week (over a 60 month period). Remember to get yourself a better deal by using our discount code: CRP5 when purchasing anything on the Screen Print World Website. 

Lotus Holland Evo Compact Reclaiming System

Check out our latest YouTube video : Q&A with Screen Print World

Dave answers some of your screen printing questions including how to print with puff ink, how many times you can use a screen and whether you should push or pull the squeegee when screen printing. 

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