Why Buy an Auto Screen Printer?
Why Buy an Auto Screen Printer?
Most screen printers start out printing manually and some shop owners are reluctant to make the move to an automatic machine because of all the (overhyped) hassles and risk they think it entails.auto screen printer But if you have a steady stream of orders that can support the investment, an auto is the best way to expand your production capabilities and grow your business.
In addition to saving your back and wrists from the physical strain of manual printing, an automatic screen printer will increase your output tremendously. By allowing you to print up to 15 shirts per hour, you will be able to grow your order volume without hiring additional staff.
Typically, an automatic screen printer has print stations that are arranged like spokes on a bicycle wheel around a pneumatic or electric center. A shirt is placed on each station where an image is printed onto the shirts using squeegees that pull ink through a nylon mesh screen. As each color is printed, the shirt moves on the rotating print pallets or platens to the next print station where it is repositioned and the screen is reset for the next job.
The machines are controlled by a computer that takes a high-resolution snapshot of the print and reads the location of the half-tone dots for each color. This information is then compared with a digital screen template, and the system adjusts each of the colors as necessary so that the overall look of the print matches the digital template. This process reduces or eliminates human error and produces consistently accurate results.
An automated screen printer will also allow you to use higher mesh counts which opens up a whole new world of possibilities for your designs and images. Having more options for printing will help you differentiate yourself from your competition and attract more clients.
By having the ability to print more complex images, you will have a competitive advantage over shops that are still printing manually and may struggle with inconsistent quality and results. An auto screen printer will also save you a great deal of time and money in the long run. The machine will be able to print a full job in less than 10 hours, which includes setup and tear down. Having the ability to print faster means that you can charge more and still be profitable.
One important thing to keep in mind is that you will have additional expenses that go with an automatic screen printer. In addition to your techs, squeegees and plates, you will also need more film and reclaim. You will also be going through screens much more quickly - printing a five-color job requires two to three times as many screens as a one-color print. This means more films, squeegees and flood bars - which all add up to more cost.
An auto screen printer will require a space in your shop that is wired for electricity and compressed air. Commercial spaces are more likely to meet these requirements than residential ones. It is also recommended that you purchase your auto from a trusted and respected source, rather than a used one, because it is more difficult to get timely support for a pre-owned machine.
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