By Mark Vasilantone
President, Vastex International Inc.
Tip 1
"Go vertical" by stacking equipment where possible. Put a tabletop manual screen printing press (left) or a screen exposing unit (right) on top of a utility rack or forced-air screen drying cabinet. Add casters for mobility.
Tip 2
Buy versatile equipment that has a small footprint but offers big results, such as a conveyor dryer with 18 in. (46 cm) wide belt that can dry/cure plastisol, water-based, discharge, as well as the output of Anajet®, Brother®, Epson®, Polyprint® and other DuPont® based DTG printing systems.
Tip 3
Use your walls! A wall-mounted screen coater allows you to accomplish a necessary task in close quarters. A wall mounted pallet rack keeps things organized.
Tip 4
Start up shops can be in a garage, a spare room or in a portion of a basement. Allow at least 10 square feet (about one square meter) of clear space with a minimum of 120V electrical capacity (240V is better) and running water nearby. Many flash cure units (left) and drying cabinets (right) are available in 120V, but most conveyor dryers require 240V.
Tip 5
Buy equipment that can offer space-saving benefits. A pin registration system on a wheeled cart with flat file drawers not only allows you to expose your screens off press in registration, but offers convenient storage for film positives, T-squares, tape and other registration supplies. Casters allow you to roll equipment out of the way when not being used.
