Screen Printing: A Package to Start

Posted by Chelsea Chafin - webmaster

Purchasing a startup package can be very intimidating, but we want to make it easier on you. You may have inherited screen printing equipment (or an excess of ink) or have always had the desire to start your own business and finally have the means to do so. Fortunately, the packages are designed to give you a sense of what screen printing requires before you upgrade your equipment to better suit your needs.

When it comes to machinery, Texsource offers two brands of startup packages: Genesis Equipment and Vastex Equipment. In regards to your first package, it helps understanding on where you are both skill-level and knowledge-level as to which would be best.  

If you are completely new to screen printing, the Genesis beginning startup packages are the way to go. They give you a sample of everything you may need. Take for instance Package 01 which includes: (1) Genesis 1 Color / 1 Station Manual Screen Printing Press, (1) Heat Gun, (1) 500 Watt Halogen Exposure Unit, (1) Wood Frame 20 x 24 110 mesh, (1) TexMist can adhesive, (1) pint of Easiway Easi-strip, (1) pint of Easiway 701 screen wash, (1) pint of 842 press wipe, (1) pint of Tex-Blue emulsion, (1) pint of White Dream ink, (1) pint of Black Dream ink, (1) pint of red #10 ink, (1) roll of 2" blockout tape, (1) scoop 15", (1) ink spreader, (1) quart of Chem 901 blockout liquid, (1) scrub pad handle, white scrub pad, and red scrub pad, (5) stir sticks, (5) white pellons 14 x 16, and (5) black pellons 14 x 16.

Genesis Package 01

Before you get intimidated by all the products available, please note that it’s a good thing. The package is designed to give you a little taste of everything so you can decide what products you like and see where you may want to improve. Anxious about how to use some (or all) of the supplies? Texsource offers free admission to one of our Screen Printing 101 Classes (NC, GA, IN) with purchase of a Genesis package to eliminate some of the stress associated with starting a new business.

Understanding these products becomes useful for future purchases as well because you are going to need to upgrade your equipment sooner with the less expensive the package is. This is mainly aimed at you, Heat Gun. Ask any of Texsource crew which piece should be upgraded first and they agree that you will need a more secure dryer. You may be able to get away with using a flash unit to dry, but if you’ve purchased the first Genesis package you will not have that option. A dryer allows you to work on more shirts without having to stop your creative process to hand-cure (possibly unevenly) each shirt.

The higher Genesis packages come with a decent flash unit, so when it comes to upgrading further you will want to choose between a new press and exposure unit based on what works best for you (both will arguably be needed at some point). You will learn how to decide this in any classes you take along with any and all trial-and-error.

Now, if you have inherited equipment and are pretty familiar with it, Vastex with its sturdier equipment may be the perfect fit for you. These packages do not come with any of the extras that a Genesis package does, but their focus is to grant you the best equipment possible to immediately produce out of your shop. They offer entry shop choices along with Tabletop if you have the skill but not the room for your business.

If you choose to go with a Vastex but would like more options in regards to inks or chemicals, please note that Texsource offers different packaging for screen cleaning chemicals and different brands/styles of inks.

Screen Printing - Getting Started with the Right Equipment Package

Posted by Ryan Bolin - Outside Sales on 3/21/2016

If you have happened on this article while searching around for Screen Printing Equipment Packages, then this will be a worthwhile read as I give you tips on what to look for so that you don't get left holding the (empty) bag.

Lots of online retailers will sell you a "Screen Printing Equipment Package" - these are usually marketed and sold as some sort of turnkey equipment package that will have you screen printing in minutes.  But is it really that easy?  And what about service after the sale; when you need help the most will the cheapest retailer available back up the sale with the help you need?  And what about all the options available, are they worth the upgrade?

First, lets start with the equipment.  Usually if you are looking at a starter shop package you are looking at a screen printing press, a way to dry or cure the ink, some sort of exposure device or exposure unit, and some necessary supply items.  Just in these items alone there can be a lot of variety.  What we in Texsource sales recommend is not to go overboard with your press; if you are getting a smaller size press just to get your feet wet then this is usually the first piece of screen printing equipment that you will outgrow.  Consider at least a 2 color press even in your introductory press; it will give you much more flexibility in your printing and give you some good experience in multi-color prints and lining up your screens.  A tabletop press can be fine, but you will find that mounting it to a good stand or table will benefit you with greatly increased stability.  

Many screen printing kits will come with only a heat gun or perhaps a flash unit for curing.  These are entirely fine for starting out and getting your feet wet, as stepping up to a dedicated conveyor dryer can often be a bigger financial step than many are willing to make, at least at first.  When you are ready and have the hang of it (and you are starting to print jobs for 'paying' customers), then you will find the benefits of a dedicated conveyor dryer are hard to live without with regards to production.  You no longer have to sure items one-by-one by hand - simply print, lay on the dryer, and let them run through.  Many of the entry level conveyor dryers (such as the Vastex D100) carry an entry level price, but have the build quality and features to give you plenty of room for growth.  With proper care, such a dryer should perform well in your shop for many years.

the Vastex D100 is an excellent entry level conveyor dryer

When it comes to exposing your screen, many kits include a 500w lamp kit; it is simple, easy to setup, and easy to use.  the problem is that they offer very little protection or isolation for your screen, and they can take quite a bit more time to burn your image.  You won't have to spent much more money at all to step up to a dedicated exposure unit such as the Genesis Unit.  The difference may be a few hundred dollars, but now you are getting much more efficiency with your burns (less downtime, wasted burns, emulsion, etc).  This is probably a step that many would recommend you take from the very start if you are able.  

What about the supply items?  Well, here is where the competition skimps on you.  Texsource give you absolutely EVERYTHING you need to get started printing, right out of the box.  Inks, emulsion, screen, squeegee, cleaning supplies, etc.  You get it all included in every startup equipment package that we sell.  For anyone within driving distance of any of our locations, every package purchase gets you free admission to any of our Introduction to Screen Printing classes - a $70 value.  If you are not within driving distance and you have any issues at all or just need some help getting going, we are here for you with chat support, Skype, and a dedicated support staff whose job it is to help you get on your feet.  We want you to succeed because if you are successful we want to be your supplier - it is as simple as that!

Take a look around at our equipment and supply kits and packages - we offer more manufacturers and products than ANY supplier in the US, and with 4 location we can get your items to you fast.  When you are ready, contact us and lets talk shop!