Automatic Screen Printing Machine Comparison Guide

Get the most of your Automatic Screen Printing Machine investment by evaluating your current and future  production requirements and choosing a screen printing machine designed to keep pace with them. Consider Design Complexity, Production Speed, Stroke Control, Change-Over Speed, Image Size, Floor Space, and Inter-Color vs Intra-Color Flash Drying.

Design Complexity Do you want to produce simple or complex designs? 6 to 8 color presses are great for producing simple or athletic designs, while 10 to 20 color presses enable you to print anything you can imagine! Good: Freedom 6 or 8, Javelin 6 or 8, Falcon M 8. Better: Javelin 10 or 12, Falcon M 10, Falcon E 10 or 12. Best: Falcon E 14 to 20 color presses.

Production Speed How quickly do you want to print? Production speed is determined by a number of variables including the machine's index speed, and naturally, how fast an individual can load garments. Pneumatic Indexers have stood the test of time, but those that feel the need for speed choose machines with Servo Indexers. Good: Freedom has a simple, Pneumatic Indexer rated for up to 45-dozen / hr. Better: Javelin has a faster Pneumatic Indexer rated up to 70-dozen / hr. Best: Falcon M and Falcon E have state of the art Servo Indexers rated up to 85-dozen / hr Q: What's the difference between Servo and Pneumatic Indexing?

Stroke Control How much control do you want? Those new to automation find Freedom and Javelin's Pneumatic print heads easy and intuitive to use. On the other hand, seasoned printers doing high-end, halftone, high-density or gel work prefer the performance and precise adjustments of AC print heads found on our Falcon M and Falcon E machines. Better: Javelin and Freedom Pneumatic print heads. Best: Falcon M and Falcon E

Image Size What is the maximum image size that your customers want? Depending on the markets you service, 16x18" may be all you'll ever need. Others find that larger 20x28" or 30x40" maximum print size to be a must-have feature. Good: Freedom and Javelin 16x18" (40x46cm) Better: Falcon M 18x18" (45x56cm) Best: Falcon E 20x28" (51x71cm) or Falcon E Duplex 30" x 40" (Call for details)

Change-Over Speed How many different jobs do you need to do in a day or week? For many, this makes change-over speed even more important than production speed. Whether you choose the quick-release pin found on Javelin and Freedom machines or pneumatic clamps found on Falcon, either option is much faster and easier to use the clumsy U clamps found on other brands. Better: Javelin or Freedom with Quick-Release Pins Best: Falcon M and Falcon E

Floor Space Do you have limited floor space or smaller doorways? Check the specs, and let us help you plan your workflow. Good: Falcon E models up to 20 colors, and Javelin models up to 12 colors Better: Falcon M or Javelin models up to 10 colors Best: Freedom 6 color fits through a 34" Doorway

Inter-Color vs Intra-Color Flash Drying Inter-Color Flashing Universal Quartz Flash and Plug-&-Go Flash's short-wave quartz elements make for the fastest flash times possible. Universal Quartz Flash uses a photocell pallet sensor, and fits most brands of carousel automatics. Plug-&-Go Flash fits Falcon M and Falcon E, and its functionality is controlled by the operator interface, making repositioning fast and easy. Intra-Color Flashing Tuf FlashBack and Falcon FlashBack has a low profile, utilizes medium-wave quartz elements and a built-in cooling system enabling you to print, flash and cool all at the same print head. Tuf FlashBack fits Freedom and Javelin models, while Falcon FlashBack fits Falcon M and Falcon E models. FlashBack is a more productive alternative to complicated revolving programs.