Impressions - September 2019 - 38
Speed and ConSiStenCy
Effective screen-printing process automation provides two
important benefits: speed and consistency. While many business
owners focus on efficiency and higher production rates, consistent
performance and results are the hallmarks of professionalism and
can be even more important in the long run.
The benefits of automation include:
1. Lowered costs by bringing operations in-house
2. Eliminated inefficiency and boost output
3. Maximized operational control
4. Increased flexibility and responsiveness
5. Better strategic planning and reduced downtime, yielding
more accurate production schedules and projections.
Automatic screen-cleaning systems speed up prepress
operations, and enhance workplace and operator safety by
limiting exposure to potentially harmful solvents.
may be paired with heated screen-drying cabinets for even
more operational efficiencies.
Curing Inefficiencies & Squeegee Sharpening
Although screen making, exposing and cleaning/reclaiming
are the three areas where textile printers can realize the most
significant efficiency and consistency improvements, a number
of products are available that can increase production speeds and
deliver more professional results.These include automatic flashcure units, squeegee-sharpening machines, drying and storage
racks, and screen-drying cabinets.
If you are printing multicolor images on garments, you probably
already have drying and flash-curing equipment, as they are essential to the process.A way to increase production is to incorporate
an automatic sliding or swiveling flash cure into your operation,
ideally at an unused station.These units move into position over
the garment for curing and then retract while the screen-printing
press' print heads rotate. In such units, an automatic timer controls
the curing interval, which also helps to prevent scorching.
Once screen making is done in house and you observe the
higher-quality results that are possible, you may consider a squeegee sharpening-and-shaping machine for convenience and more
precise edges. Each component in the screen-printing process
makes an integral contribution to the final printed image's quality,
and a clean, sharp squeegee blade is important.
Considerations that often are overlooked include safe and secure
storage and transportation of screens in the workshop. Drying and
storage racks generally have casters for mobility; may have fixed or
individually adjustable shelves; and can accommodate screens of
different thicknesses. Fully enclosed, heated drying cabinets also
are available to facilitate faster drying, eliminate pinhole formation
and protect screens in production environments.
Automating Ancillary Processes
Making the transition from manual textile screen printing to a fully
automated, multicolor press is a major commitment for smaller
screen printers, involving both cost considerations and space requirements. But the twin benefits of automation - speed and
consistency - can be realized incrementally even before you
purchase your first automatic press by upgrading and automating
prepress and ancillary processes throughout your facility.
Each of these incremental improvements can contribute to
better overall operational efficiency and product quality, and most
can be implemented at surprisingly reasonable price points. In
this way, even small print shops that can't immediately make the
move to automatic production can reap many of the benefits of
automation, even as they lay the groundwork for more significant
equipment upgrades and acquisitions in the future.
Eliminating the use of outside screen-exposing
services gives printers greater control over
image quality and production schedules.
P.38
i m p r e s s i o n s m a g . c o m SEPTEMBER 2019
Michael Hurley is a staff writer for The A.W.T. World Trade Group. He resides
in Chicago. For more information or to comment on this article, email
sales@awtworldtrade.com.
http://www.impressionsmag.com
Impressions - September 2019
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - September 2019
Impressions - September 2019
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
Overheard
First Look
The Outlook for Outerwear
Fit Factors
In the Mix with Plastisols
Shop Talk
Embroidery Production
Screen Printing Production
Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Direct-To-Garment
Ad Index/Classifieds
On Design
Impressions - September 2019 - Intro
Impressions - September 2019 - CT1
Impressions - September 2019 - CT2
Impressions - September 2019 - Impressions - September 2019
Impressions - September 2019 - Cover2
Impressions - September 2019 - 1
Impressions - September 2019 - Contents
Impressions - September 2019 - 3
Impressions - September 2019 - 4
Impressions - September 2019 - 5
Impressions - September 2019 - First Impressions
Impressions - September 2019 - 7
Impressions - September 2019 - From the Show Director
Impressions - September 2019 - 9
Impressions - September 2019 - Overheard
Impressions - September 2019 - 11
Impressions - September 2019 - 12
Impressions - September 2019 - 13
Impressions - September 2019 - 13A
Impressions - September 2019 - 13B
Impressions - September 2019 - First Look
Impressions - September 2019 - 15
Impressions - September 2019 - 16
Impressions - September 2019 - 17
Impressions - September 2019 - The Outlook for Outerwear
Impressions - September 2019 - 19
Impressions - September 2019 - 20
Impressions - September 2019 - 21
Impressions - September 2019 - Fit Factors
Impressions - September 2019 - 23
Impressions - September 2019 - 24
Impressions - September 2019 - 25
Impressions - September 2019 - In the Mix with Plastisols
Impressions - September 2019 - 27
Impressions - September 2019 - 28
Impressions - September 2019 - 29
Impressions - September 2019 - Shop Talk
Impressions - September 2019 - 31
Impressions - September 2019 - Embroidery Production
Impressions - September 2019 - 33
Impressions - September 2019 - 34
Impressions - September 2019 - 35
Impressions - September 2019 - Screen Printing Production
Impressions - September 2019 - 37
Impressions - September 2019 - 38
Impressions - September 2019 - 39
Impressions - September 2019 - Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Impressions - September 2019 - 41
Impressions - September 2019 - 42
Impressions - September 2019 - 43
Impressions - September 2019 - Direct-To-Garment
Impressions - September 2019 - 45
Impressions - September 2019 - 46
Impressions - September 2019 - Ad Index/Classifieds
Impressions - September 2019 - On Design
Impressions - September 2019 - Cover3
Impressions - September 2019 - Cover4
Impressions - September 2019 - ISS1
Impressions - September 2019 - ISS2
Impressions - September 2019 - ISS3
Impressions - September 2019 - ISS4
Impressions - September 2019 - ISS5
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20240809
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_fall2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nxtbook_bhtest/impwessons
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20200607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20190607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20160607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20150607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20140607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sportsfanretailer_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20131011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20130607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20121011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120607
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201202
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011fall
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