Your Stop for Name Brand Manual Textile Presses
There are a few different kinds of screen printing presses that businesses can choose from, but small businesses usually start out with a manual textile press. Usually driven by man-power, these manual presses give hands-on control to its user. Serving as an affordable press, there are a variety of different sizes, color options and platens available.
Our Selection of Individual Manual Textile Presses:
M&R Manual Textile Presses
M&R Kruzer
Out of all the screen printing presses made by M&R, the Kruzer has to be the most affordable option for manual printing. Key features including tapered-roller-bearing-supported upper and lower carousels, a three-point pallet leveling system and an exact micro-registration system. Perfect for smaller shops, when disassembled this machine can fit through a 78cm (31”) doorway. The maximum screen width for this manual press is 58 cm (23”). Those who rely on automatic screen printing presses can still utilize this affordable manual textile press for short runs and samples.
M&R Sidewinder
M&R’s mid-size yet affordable manual textile press is the Sidewinder. Made with multiple-bearing upper and lower carousel plates, micro-registration system and a three-point pallet leveling system, this is a step up from the Kruzer. Featuring 4-station/4-color, 4-station/6-color, and 6-station/6-color models, there are a variety of options for you to choose from. The maximum recommended frame size is 64 x 91cm (25” x 36”) to which the Sidewinder can accomodate automatic press screen-frame sizes.
M&R Sidewinder
Superiorly built for sampling and production, M&R’s Chameleon features a two-tier design and sturdy construction. This press also supports the impeccable option of expanding from four and six-color manual presses can expand to ten colors and eight-manual which can then expand to fourteen colors. Instead of having to purchase a completely different system or model, the Chameleon allows for future color expansion. This is one of the only manual textile presses that can expand from 4 colors to 10 colors as well as 8 colors to 14 colors.
*All Manual Textile Presses are Special Order and must be ordered over the phone. If you are interested in any of our Manual Presses or have questions, please give us a call at 860-289-3040
Have a Question? Need a Quote?
With over six decades worth of experience, the professionals at Garston know a thing or two about screen printing. We want to provide all of our expertise to printing enthusiasts and small or large shop owners.
We not only supply the most affordable manual textile presses, but the best customer service possible for the industry. Have questions? We have answers! Give us a call today to discuss your options.860-289-3040
Why Choose Garston for Manual Textile Presses?
Affordable Prices
As screen printing suppliers, we focus on providing affordable and quality products for professional screen printers and hobbyist.
Customer Satisfaction
Here at Garston, we pride ourselves on helping and supplying our customers with the best products and service.
Name Brand Products
Purchasing products for your business can be expensive, but you should only invest in the equipment you need. We can help you decide on the best manual textile press for your needs.
Qualities of an Manual Textile Press
Great for Beginners
Usually, manual screen presses start out with one-color/one-station table top and can expand to eight-color/eight-station presses. To keep things simple, this equipment lets a printer manually control adjustments, color changes, and print a color twice to get solid coverage.
Small Run Capability
Most manual presses are used by beginners, but some larger screen printers can use the press as a way of doing small runs or samples. Instead of firing up the automatic which can handle large production volumes, a smaller manual textile press makes testing easy and simple.
Affordable Options
Seeing that most of the man-power behind a manual textile press is human-made, it’s a more affordable option compared to an automatic press. If you already have an automatic press, a manual textile press could also act as a secondary press for sampling or extra runs.
Choosing a Manual Textile Press
If you are an independent screen printing shop on the hunt for a manual press, you’ll need to understand a few key features. You might also be on the lookout for a larger manual screen printing press or a replacement. Here are a few ways to narrow down your options.
Figure Out What You Need
To meet the current needs of your shop, you must think about what your requirements are how this press will assist you in your everyday routine. Start off by considering your actual printing area. How big of a machine do you need? Most screen printers have a multitude of different screen printing jobs, not just standard jobs. When you are looking through manufacturers, make note of how big of a screen can be placed on the press.
Another big question is: how many colors are you printing?
Think about your routine printing, how many colors are involved in that process? Then add in additional colors you could be using in the future. If you’re a small shop, there is the possibility of growth in the future which would mean you could adapt the need for more colors. When making a critical decision on screen printing equipment, it’s best to consider both your current situation and your future goals. It doesn’t hurt to purchase a manual textile press with more color options than you currently need.
Next, how big of an area do you have in your shop? Sure, figuring out the correct machine for your printing jobs is important, but you also need to consider getting this machine inside your shop and having it fit comfortably along with your daily operations. Will you have enough room to fit your press, flash, extra inventory and more?
Features You Need to Consider
After you figure out your need for a manual press, you can move onto the features you want included in your new screen printing equipment.
Key features include:
- Durability: If you plan on making this manual textile press a staple in your screen printing process, you should search for a model that will last. What kind of warranty is on the product? Usually a warranty will tell you the expected lifespan of the equipment.
- Consistency: Manual presses (as indicated in the name) are human-operated, meaning that you won’t get the same consistency between prints as an automatic press would supply. If you’re looking for a manual press that you want to use well into the future, look for quality micro registration systems, consistent gate/printhead registration, and parts that won’t cost an arm and a leg to replace.
- Screen Size Options: As stated before, you need to find a manual textile press that will fit the screen sizes you current use as well as the screens you may be using in the future. Right now, you may consistently be using a small wooden screen, but in a few years or next year, you could move up to a larger screen size. Give yourself the option of versatility to expand your print size.
- Platen / Pallet Compatibility: Similar to the screen size options, you want a manual textile press that will fit your current pallet and accessories as well as future press purchases.
Manual Textile Presses FAQ
How Should I Inspect a Press Before Buying?
If you’re looking at a press in person, it’s good to check out every piece of it. Look closely at the structural stability of the press, and get a hands on approach. You can start by pressing down on the pallets and getting a good idea of how well it’s built. You’ll be spending a lot of time (in fact hours) around these machines, it’s better to get an idea of what you’ll be working with.
You should also inspect the construction of the pallets. What material is it made from? Is it wood, steel or aluminum? Wood is rather inexpensive and certain chemicals or cleaning can warp it easily and can be expensive to replace. Aluminum is your second best option, while steel is superior to the other two. Steel is structurally sound and it can dissipate heat better. You should also consider the warranty of the product.
How Long Will My Manual Textile Press Last?
If you purchase a quality press from a trusted manufacturer or supplier and you routinely maintenance the machine, it should last for decades. Certain parts of the machine will need to be replaced after extensive use, which is typical in any equipment such as springs or struts. The springs that help ift and lower the printheads on the equipment will eventually break (due to stress on the metal), so you should keep extras handy.
What is An “All heads Down” Option for a Manual Press?
There is a long list of items you can actually print with a manual rotary t-shirt press, but they should all be flat substrates. This can include clipboards, notebooks, mouse pads, metal sheets as well as other items.
How Do I Get a Tighter Registration On My Manual Textile Press?
If you find that your manual textile press isn’t securely holding down your screen, you could have some issues with certain parts on your press. If you find that your screen is shifting after you lift or spin to the next color, you may need to replace the clamps for a better, tighter registration.
There could be a problem with your carousel. One way you can check this is to remove the screen from your press, and move the printing head down to the pallet. You want to make sure that the printing head is sitting all the way down. If you notice any movement at this point, this could also be a sign of worn out clamps. From here, your best move is to contact the manufacturer for assistance or replacement parts.
Honest, Fair Prices on All Manual Textile Presses
With over six decades worth of experience, the professionals at Garston know a thing or two about screen printing. We want to provide all of our expertise to printing enthusiasts and small or large shop owners.
We not only supply the most affordable manual textile presses, but the best customer service possible for the industry. Have questions? We have answers! Give us a call today to discuss your options.860-289-3040