Not new but wanting to do screen printing

[bc240]

I've been involved in printing for longer than I care to admit. Perhaps a bit of history would help explain where I'm coming from. I know this is going to be long and I apologize in advance but I think if you know my background maybe your advice can be tailored a bit easier.

From conventional offset printing, digital print, DTG, Embroidery and more I've done it all. As far as T-shirt printing we adopted one of the first DTG printers using white ink for dark shirts. We fought clogged print heads until we retrofitted it to recirculate the inks. Still too inconsistent quality to suit my customers. We purchased a Roland large format inkjet that could print on heat set T-shirt material. This works well but we cannot compete on bulk orders. My desire is to get into screen printing. I have the space for this and can do the front end work myself. We are mainly Mac based using Adobe software although we do have a couple of Microsoft based RIP computers for a couple of our machines. I do all the design work for printing and for our shirts now. I also do our digitizing for our embroidery machine. This all being said, I'd like to get into screen printing to be competitive and get into a larger market. I've looked on the web for different kinds of equipment but am not sure what my best choice would be.

I understand since I've never done screen printing there will be a learning curve but also feel my background would make it easier than a total noobie getting started. I'd prefer a more automated system since I'm more in tune with the digital world now and how it can save labor costs. Does this sound nuts? Where do I start as far as suppliers or equipment? Would going to a trade show give me any help? Thanks for your input.

[Catspit Productions]

Yes, I think a trade show would be a great idea. Just remember the people are there to sell so you have to speak with everyone and don’t make any decisions at the show.

Automatic presses work and print differently than manual presses. If you plan on doing large print runs you might consider an auto press. However I do feel that learning how to print manually first is a great advantage to learning on an auto alone. There will be people who tell you it’s easier to learn on an automatic. It probably is but you will also miss out on very basic skills and techniques that would make you a much better printer in the long run. Most automatic shops have manual presses in house as well for odd items, small runs and specialty jobs. This press is often their first press that they bought and learned on and subsequently built their business on so they could go auto.

So it’s perhaps a personal choice really but I do suggest starting slow and working you’re way up. That way you don’t put out an even larger amount of money with a higher risk. Unless you feel that is what you want or need to do.... LOL.

These are all generalizations since it’s hard to advise without knowing your budget and end goals. For instance if you said you were going to have contract jobs for 10,000 pieces at a time I would say go auto anyway. If you’re going to do several jobs each week with 500 pieces or more each then maybe you’ll need an auto.

But if you feel you can handle it and you need to go auto for various reasons then that may be the way to go. I can understand that as well.

[bc240]

Thanks for the reply. I've been to trade shows in Chicago for the big GraphExpo before so I know it can be hectic. I'm comfortable with pretty much any aspect of printing and feel this is another step. The problem is labor. It's hard to find good people especially around here. That's one reason I was thinking auto. Most of my manual labor force has been replaced by automation due to many factors. The economy affected the printing segment pretty hard and everyone with a computer and inkjet thinks they are a designer and printer now. You may have a point in starting small and growing. I want to do this right and I've been watching a couple of your videos. It won't replace actual hands on but it helps point me in the right direction.

Can you suggest a good starting package? Cost is a small consideration but quality and flexibility means something too. It would give me a place to start looking at equipment. Thanks.

[Catspit Productions]

You can take a look at my packages and kits. Feel free to call me to discuss your needs. I can help out if I know a little more about your budget, space restrictions and end goals for your project. Then I can give you better advice.

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/kits-packages/

If you were thinking auto then maybe a larger manual shop package would be of interest:

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/pum ... nting-kit/

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/tig ... nting-kit/

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/leo ... g-package/

Just let me know how I might help out.