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screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: Pro Skreen on June 04, 2014, 09:08:10 PM
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Looking to purchase number printing equipment,Brown,Inline,Vastex? Any recommendations
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I just saw one, want to say it was a Hopkins one. Not the Hopkins Ryonet sells, the BWM Hopkins or whatever. Looked like a pretty solid built and useful system. M&R also has a killer one, but my guess is it may be priced a bit north of the other options out there.
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I'm still super impressed by this one:
http://westarsolutions.com/collections/numbering/products/quickdraw-numbering-system (http://westarsolutions.com/collections/numbering/products/quickdraw-numbering-system)
now that we're out of softball season, we haven't been doing as many numbers, but I want one for next year.
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I'm still super impressed by this one:
[url]http://westarsolutions.com/collections/numbering/products/quickdraw-numbering-system[/url] ([url]http://westarsolutions.com/collections/numbering/products/quickdraw-numbering-system[/url])
now that we're out of softball season, we haven't been doing as many numbers, but I want one for next year.
I had my eye on that one for a while. Looks pretty simple to offset the teen numbers and numbers that end in 1, in order for them to be centered on the shirt.
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Whatever you do, don't buy the Ryonet Numbering system. I used it once about a year ago and don't plan to use it again. It requires too much screen handling. It's way to easy to get ink where you don't want and if you don't have 2 sets of screens then you will hate color changes.
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Depends upon what you want to,plan to and can afford to do. What number size capabiklity do I want (3", 4", 6", 8" 10" and 12"), one and/ or two color, and # styles are only a few concerns
There are essentially three ways/systems to print #s: 1.stencils; 2. numbering systems-master frame with lock in registration and; 3. presses designed for number screening. Among these are a variety of options. Then there is always heat press.
If you really haven't worked with a lot of numbers you might want to try stencil #s to build up a sufficient core business, but it sounds like you already have a customer base. One color #s are done quite easily with stencils-especially when you have mastered the placing of #1s on two or three digits. Most # presses/systems are going to be an investment and each has its strengths and weaknesses. Whether you are looking at The Ulltimate, Quick Draw or similar master frame systems or decide to go with a dedicated #ng press liike Brown, In-line, M+R or Vastex - Remember all facets of production when evaluating the equipment,set up,tear down,clean up,screen costs and the time spent doing these, which may mean press downtime(non-productive).
For sure there is money in #s - Good Fortune!
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We have the Vastex DiGit system and have always been pleased with it. Simple to use and accurate. The set up has more then payed for itself with the jobs we take. Now we only use it for custom jobs, rely on transfers for most of the numbering work.
Conns:
Need to be careful not to get ink from the other numbers not being printed from transferring to the garment. Easy fix more off contact and or shim strips between the numbers.
Takes some time to get the hang of registering it, once you learn the tricks and or make a master template its a breeze.
Takes a bit to get used to which position to set the screen for each number. There are markings on the guide but I put little colored dots and/or arrows as a quick reference for placement.
Pros:
Uses standard 23x31 screens except the 8" numbers which use 23x33.
We can burn the screens in house.
Custom fonts can be made.
Can offer PMS matching and inks.
Positive positioning of the screens to get perfect placement.
Not a dedicated machine. When not using the press for numbering it can be used for other projects.
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I just saw one, want to say it was a Hopkins one. Not the Hopkins Ryonet sells, the BWM Hopkins or whatever. Looked like a pretty solid built and useful system. M&R also has a killer one, but my guess is it may be priced a bit north of the other options out there.
I think that's the Ultimate Numbering System, or something like that. Looks like a nice setup for someone that does a good amount of numbers, especially when color matches are crucial.
I think the best way to do numbers are with transfers and a solid, air driven, heat press. They have most the color combinations most people will want anyway and you can pantone mix inks according to Stahls colors so you get a close enough match.
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We have the Vastex DiGit system and have always been pleased with it. Simple to use and accurate. The set up has more then payed for itself with the jobs we take. Now we only use it for custom jobs, rely on transfers for most of the numbering work.
Conns:
Need to be careful not to get ink from the other numbers not being printed from transferring to the garment. Easy fix more off contact and or shim strips between the numbers.
Takes some time to get the hang of registering it, once you learn the tricks and or make a master template its a breeze.
Takes a bit to get used to which position to set the screen for each number. There are markings on the guide but I put little colored dots and/or arrows as a quick reference for placement.
Pros:
Uses standard 23x31 screens except the 8" numbers which use 23x33.
We can burn the screens in house.
Custom fonts can be made.
Can offer PMS matching and inks.
Positive positioning of the screens to get perfect placement.
Not a dedicated machine. When not using the press for numbering it can be used for other projects.
Just fyi on that first con. When you order the screens pre made from vastex the tension on them is not as high as normal on purpose. That way when you print a 2 the mesh allows enough give the 1 and 3 aren't making contact. If you burn your own on regular 23x31's that may be why the off contact isn't enough by itself. It could be worth having some stretched at a lower tension, so you can stop using strips.
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Oh I have plenty of soft 110's ;). You are correct, it's more of a CYA thing for us adding the shims between the numbers.
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We've had the Inline Technologies for about 5 years, and it works very well. For short run 2 color we'll use it, but for long run 2 color, we use transfers, it's simply faster. We also built a custom compression frame for exposing when we have to remake a screen, it's better than having to send it to Texas, or where ever they are. We also have an M&R Blue Max stretcher with extra bars that allows us to restretch when necessary. If you can't restretch, then you would have to send it back to them. Anyway, we like it, but numbers are a bit of a drag...
Steve