I had the pleasure of getting a personal lesson from the living legend Jonathan (Catspit Productions) at the NBM show in Long Beach. I found his busy self at the Ranar booth, but he was nice enough to take time out and teach me to use the micros on the Ranar press. My current machine doesn't have micros...so I went to find out what they are all about. I think I'll be getting one soon. But does anyone else on the forums have any input/preferences/tips on micro registration? Any input would be appreciated!
Thanks Jonathan!
-Ava
http://www.icreatescreenprinting.com

Micros are nice!

Thanks Ava! It was so much fun to meet you and work with you at the show. It’s what I love to do most. Thanks for coming by and saying hello and returning for some in depth questions. I’m glad I can help out in any way, any time

I have a quick question about micro's. I have a 6 color/2 station silver press from ryonet and I bought it knowing it didn't have micro registration but I didn't realize how important they are until I had to attempt to register a white under base. My question is if I should buy 1 or 2 at a time since finance is a bit tight or should I just buy all 6 at once? I know I will eventually get all 6 but its another good size investment right after buying the press itself.

Honestly you should be able to achieve a white under base print without micro registration. If the press is decently made it is possible to line up much of the time without the micro registration.

For instance I set up a 3 color spot and dot over this weekend and I only needed to tweak one screen with the micro registration. Often times I can line things up best initially when I put the film on the pallet and line screens up to that.

If you take your time with each screen then much of the time things go right in without using micro reg at all. However it is also important to know how to create the art and work on press to facilitate the process.

You may wish to read this post about using an under base:

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/fo ... =13&t=2396

Other than that I don’t have much to say about that particular equipment and I wouldn’t really know if it is wise to spend the money on that upgrade. I don’t understand why it wouldn’t come with micro reg if it were possible to begin with. I have bench presses without micro reg but if I could make them with it I would only sell those.

Must be a corporate sales thing.

I have a Silver Press my self and like it. Holds registration well. I didn't get it with micro's either and can register quite well without a ton of headache usually. Getting it without micros was what I was able to afford at the time but am looking to add some. I say get what you are comfortable spending. If you can only afford 2 right now then get 2. You can always add on later. Another thing to consider is value. Adding 6 micro's will cost $600. That's a good chunck towards a 6/4 shop press.

Thank you for the responses guys. I think the main issue is warped frames but I want micro's anyway. I've registered a few jobs but it takes a few hrs of loosen, move, tighten, move again. Each time I move the frame it messes off contact up on one side or the other. With micro's I won't have to move the frame on the press once off contact/tilt are set. I'm ordering new screens as well. Thanks again guys.

Oh yeah, I would get some new screens first and see where you’re at. If you get pre stretched metal screens you should have a much better time at registration without micros.