Impressions - June/July 2021 - 30

" As the years go by, we need a good, solid machine with great customer service
and backup support for parts and service. "
- John Wacob, Cyan Creations
a six-station/four-color manual screen-printing press to an automatic
press. " After three years, I found myself manually printing
late in the shop and many long nights simply to meet deadlines
and to produce a product that I could stand behind, " he says. " I
started researching automatics and I decided on an Anatol Titan
seven-color/eight-station automatic, and from the last few days of
printing with it, I know I'm going to love the transition into my
new life and hopefully a bigger future. "
What to Look For
Adding an automatic printer to your operation is the key to taking
your business to the next level, but how many colors and stations are
ideal for your initial transition? " I always recommend to first-time
buyers of an automatic to go with at least an eight-color/10-station
automatic press, " says Matt Flaiz of T&J Printing Supply, Huntley,
Illinois. " If you start with a six-color [press] you will quickly
discover that many jobs that are sent to an automatic shop will require
printing up to eight colors. The main reasons people choose
a six-color automatic press is either due to shop-space restrictions
or budget constraints. "
It only makes sense to buy an automatic press with the most
possible colors if you have the shop space and budget. Extra print
heads will allow your shop to take on simulated-process and
special-effects jobs that necessitate an underbase screen, spot colors
and a highlight screen. This means the number of print heads needed
for certain jobs can add up quickly. In addition, extra print stations
allow for adding special effects like shimmers, puff or gels, all in the
same job, without being confined by only having six print heads.
When investing in an automatic press, look for tool-free squeegee
and floodbar angle adjustments with air locks that are designed to
lock squeegees, flood bars and frames quickly in place instead of
turning a series of knobs. The latter adds to setup time. Pneumatic
screen clamps also are crucial and hold roller frames securely
in place without using screen adapters that attach to the frame's
round sidebars.
Carousel vs. Oval
The carousel automatic-press configuration is the most common,
but when more colors get introduced - say, a 24-color carousel
- the circumference takes up more space than most shops have
available. The oval configuration, on the other hand, is expandable
from eight, 10, 18 and 24 or more print heads - all positioned
directly inline on both sides of the press, making it a space saver.
Plus, the oval design allows for adding multiple colors and stations.
The oval configuration is popular with
fashion printers and is ideal for printing on
piece goods because it has multiple stations
to allow for extra cooling, multiple flashes
and other inline screen-printing and decorating
processes.
" We look at the company behind the machine,
because for the most part, all of the
automatics on the market work right out
of the box and do a decent job, " says John
Wacob of Cyan Creations, Nixa, Missouri.
" But as the years go by, we need a good,
solid machine with great customer service
and backup support for parts and service. "
Wacob adds that the last press his shop
installed was a 14-color/16-station automatic
from M&R Cos. It features three
flash units and Wacob loves the versatility
it provides. However, when asked about his
" dream machine, " he says it would be an 18color/20-station
press.
What About
Accessories?
P.30
Use Info*Action #12 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction
IMPRESSIONSMAG.COM JUNE/JULY 2021
The growing demand for screen printing on
tri-blend and 100% polyester fabrics has led
to the introduction of new accessories like
the roller squeegee, which is engineered to fit
in the squeegee holder. After the garment is
printed and flashed, a smoothing screen and
roller squeegee produce a smooth, printed
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Impressions - June/July 2021

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