I started out with one just like that, used. Gave $350 for the press, flash dryer, 50 screens, squeegees, inks and chemicals. After about 3 months I had made enough to upgrade to a 4/4 Vastex and get a belt drier, about a year later I quit my day job and went full time on my business. I can't think of another business I could have started with such a small initial investment.
@@Rain-di2bq I was doing mostly 1 or 2 color jobs, without tight registration, because the press had now micro-registration I would take orders I couldn't print too, but I outsourced them to a contract printer. Good luck with your venture!
I use that exact press. I didnt use a wrench to bend down the receivers, I just adjusted the shirt platten. No issues once I did that. I have been makin some cash with that little blue P.O.S.... LOL
@@TmoneyTheUce exaaaaactly! Maaaaan listen you gotta crawl before you walk/run. The best part about that press is that so many things can go wrong with it that you will become a wiz at trouble shooting once you move up to the "real" press machines!
Yea dude bending the thing was fuckery at its finest. Thats why that press pisses me off 3 of the 4 colors had a perfect angle to the pallet. That last one had to be man handled.
Hi all, a quick solution to the screen moving when you tighten up the securing screws is to have a sheet of metal that spans the length of the two screws. So the metal strip will sit on top of your screen and under the screws and get tightened against the screen frame. I have found this to stop the screen frame moving when closing it in. Hope this info helps.
What up Familia? Forgot to mention a couple of things in the video. First I filmed through the day. It didn't take all day to set up a job. I think the total time registering the job was about an hour. Second, I forgot to mention the print head height can be adjusted. No tilt but height is adjustable. If you are looking for a good entry level press get the Anatol Tornado, Vastex 1000, M&R Cruiser, and so on.
I started with that EXACT press ... And i learned to print on it THE HARD way ... countless hours fighting the equipment instead of printing and wasting countless dollars on garments and ink ... when i was new just like everyone else it was hard to put up the kind of cash to get a professional press... THIS IS NOT WHERE YOU WANT TO CUT YOUR BUDGET!!!! I printed with that blue nightmare for 14 months ... I actually printed a lot of jobs on it only after I seriously modified the press. I was a pipe fitter and welder and had the tools and knowledge to get it to some kind of standard. Straight out of the box for a new printer with little to no knowledge this will put you in the crazy house!!! can it be done? yes.... but take it from a guy who's been there, if you want to screen print start with the right press.... you can get away with lots of other things and like in this video you CAN get away with that cheap press too... but you want to smile when your job are complete... not just be happy they are done.
Cam! I really love all your videos, but I can't believe you made this one.... and in a really good way. I bought this exact same press a year ago and it's taken me about that time to "dial" it in for single colors. Lol. You're the man. I never expected someone to use this press that a) knows what they're doing and b) has skills with production. I really appreciate you making this video.
you did a good job of explaining how to deal with that registration issue .. I’ve been printing for 15 years and that is something that even the most experienced person will run into but being able to trouble shoot is the key to screen printing there’s ALWAYS gonna be something relatively SMALL that will make a HUGE difference in your final product & it’s important to learn how to deal with it before you even start running the job
he also used an unnessarily high mesh that made the print look awfully grainy, im guessing he used water based inks because the print looked de-saturated
Hoping to start a little print operation of my own within the year. You're content is really helping me build confidence in this possibly working out. Thank you and please keep up the great work. Just telling it like it is really helps alleviate some of the unknown and understanding that this is a "work at it" kind of skill. Not a set it and forget it.
Awesome video. And Thanks for mentioning about the risk of popping those higher mesh screens. I want to get some new aluminum screens but they're expensive for me since I have to get them ship to my small city in Mexico. Last thing I want is to pop them right away.
@@ThePrintLife well I live in Mexico where they use the metric system which I forgot, so I have nothing but like 305mesh (120t) which I have use for all my prints, but now I'm upgrading to aluminum screens. I have 3 so far, two ( 110) and one (160), still need to get more.
never used one of these presses but years ago when having issues with metal frames moving, we would put a piece of masking tape on the frame. this mitigated the movement from tightening the clamps.
I use this press as well, its not the screen arms shooting out unevenly, its actually the metal arm that the platen is attached to which has a little 'sag'. All you gotta do is put a couple bolts for space to create the angle needed from the platen. After that, everything else lines up fine if tightened. The registration gate thing was actually backwards in the instruction manual and it works fine if you spend a little time and fix it, make it work etc (i use this for multi color jobs pretty regularly)
My goodness. I feel validated haha. I have this press and wow what a pain in the bum it can be. I feel like people who learn on this and similar presses should get recognition for their patience and dedication because it’s a struggle. That being said, I was able to pull a five color graphic on this thing mixing colors from two of the screens in certain spots on the shirt. It was nothing short of a miracle. Thanks for the video and happy printing.
Yo Cam to fix the registration gate issue , on mines I wrapped all 4 of the registration block with masking tape and then clear shipping tape. This really secured the registration! There no space for the block to move side to side and because of the shipping tape, it slides in and out of the registration gate easily
@nightshiftart so when you say you wrapped all 4 registration blocks are you talking about putting the tape on the part of the screen where the knobs tighten?
That 1 Art Chick no I’m talking about the part that stick out in the middle of the screen holders .. the part that goes into where the knob tightens , if you get what I’m saying
There is no tilt adjustment, but the two bolts holding the receiver in place allow you to adjust the tilt by loosening or tightening them. No need to bend the receiver plate. Patience is key. Many different factors that fall into play, but once you get it down, you can produce great quality results.
Since the one you couldn’t adjust was “pushing” the frame away from center perhaps you could ad thin shims behind the clamp attachment to move the other three out the same distance. Shims can be made from soda cans. Those bearings are called Pillow Block Bearings.
Lookin good Cam!! So awesome of you to show others how to use this particular press. There are a lot of talented ppl out there that don't have the funds to buy the bigger and better. I started with the RH JR. 4/2 Now I have the Hopkins 300 8/6, waiting for the day I get an auto!
Man, I tried this press when I first started out, I couldn't get all 4 colors to register even close to as good as you got it. I think they come in varying degrees of terrible. I remember running a one color job on it and it was a nightmare cause if I tried to print flash print the second pass was off. I'm thinking I'll still try to Frankenstein that thing into something useable someday lol. Cheers Cam thanks for the videos!
It will take allot of time tuning it in. But it can be done. It is wise to account for my experiance dealing with crappy equipment for years witch is why I was able to get it in.
Was great to see a Professional try & use this Blue Press Carn. As a Newbie, you identified every issue I was having myself with the registration AND your hints and struggles have assisted me tremendously. Thank You. Great job Carn. Adore you energy and goodwill. Love your channel.
Oh man...VERY similar to the press I've currently got, except mine has "micro registration" knobs and my registration gate plate runs parallel to the arm rather than how this is perpendicular. Because the plate runs parallel, I have massive left/right wiggle. Ended up having to pad the hell out of the plate with sticky-backed padding. I also experience the screen shift when tightening down the screen, which causes way more frustration than I like to normally handle, lol. I will say, though, the first large order I was able to complete with it paid for my whole entire setup.
@@ThePrintLife I bought it as part of a kit, but I'm pretty sure this is the same exact one by itself: Micro Registration Screen Printing 4 Color Printer Fine-tunning DIY Machine New Upgrade Printer www.amazon.com/dp/B0199HX5WE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_cdThEbAJV92FY
@@HalfAssHomestead I ended up junking my cheap Amazon press described above. Got a Riley Hopkins Jr. 4 color w/micros. It's been sitting in the two boxes it came in a year ago due to having practically no business all year.
Do yourself a favor and don't buy this press or anything like it they are junk!!! I picked up a 4 color used Ryonet press for under $300 and there are plenty of other brands you can pick up used. The time and money you waste on misprints and trying to register a print is not worth it.
another great video cam awesome i use the same press if you put a piece of corrugated plastic at the back of each print head it stops your screen from shifting that what i do it helps thks for the video
HINT FOR USERS! :D Next time when you have problems to position your screen with such equipment try rubber hammer and push/ punch just a little bit! micro hits. Believe me, it used to be a life and time saver! Thank you for another great video ;)
One way to prevent your screen from moving after lining it up with your registration marks is to use some spring clamps or grip clamps to hold the screen down to the platen and then tighten the screen down with the nobs. This will not work if the screen is wider than the platen. I purchased this press as a stepping stone to learn the trade. You have to do a lot to make it work. I have never tried 4 colors before but I will give it a shot. If I fail, then I fail LOL!
I have this press and I have started doing small modifications to it, like some knobs in the back and I am working on side clamps to hold the screen as well. I have had it for about a year and a half, and the longer the run the more it moves, and the welds holding the knobs will break so I had to re weld them. I will post some photos of some of the things I have done if it would help anyone else. All you need in a $100 flux welder from Harbor Freight and some nuts and bolts, and a little 3/16 angle steel.
I just assembled one. First off, sand the pillow block bearings flat with a file or sand paper on a flat surface. That will tighten down stiff and stay put. They have casting flash on them and tighten flexed and rocked. To correct the angle of an unruly clamp, use cardboard shims to bring close, then the flange can be adjusted with crescent wrench. On the lower flang, apply non skid tape to keep the screws from moving the screen when tightening. The tape will allow less screw pressure to hold in place so less flexing of the flanges, causing movement when adjusting. Stand all the paint off the lineup tab on each arm where it interferes with the bearings. Make sure and chamfer the edges. Then adjust the bearings Nana just the bearings to the narrowest one. Then with a file adjust all the lineup tabs to that with. If you have set of micrometers you can adjust that Pryor just make them all the same width. This will remove any play. I found it once I remove the paint in adjusted I had a couple that the tabs were narrower that's causing a couple to be nice and tight in a couple to be loose.
Hey Cam, love the videos. I just purchased this Vevor model and was surprised at how well it well went together, especially after watching your video and several others detailing the issues they had. I can tell you I was sweating on not buying a lemon. Your video gave me enough pointers to make the build effortless thanks a ton. Maybe 2 more years down (now 2022) the road and Vevor have worked out the kinks, who knows. The video they sent with the box did show the Platten attatchent placed at and angle and tightend to achieve the correct alignment ? Haven't fully finished mine with alignment and tightening so who knows.....maybe no need to bend. Thanks again for the great videos and effort you put in.
For the record. The ryonet version of these presses are much easier to work with. They cost about $400 if I remember correctly. I've had one for five years. Ive done a bunch of multicolor on it. Never had a problem lining up screens or knocking out my registration. Although I've never messed with a process print.
Hey Cam, Been listening to a bunch of your podcasts lately on the way to work. Really loving it man! Thank you for all the knowledge, we have made many mistakes, but you have helped me avoid other ones.My wife and I wanted to test our luck making our own shirts for our new Brands. Unfortunately we bought that same machine except the 4 station one. We have had some pretty good results even with a 2 color job. But I’m sure a better press would make life a whole lot easier and more enjoyable. But we are pushing through it and maybe next year we can get the better press. Keep up the great Podcasts and videos, you are helping the Newbies realize what they are getting into. Thanks again.
Yes you do. Im not hating on the press, I hope it dosent come of that way. Its a hobby machine. Start with this learn some basic stuff and when you are ready get a press with micros from, Anatol, M&R, Vastex, Ranar, Antec, Something like that.
Great video. Thanks for taking the time. I've got one of these too and find it "adequate" for what I do. Starting out you need two resources, time, money. Usually you have more time than money so you get what you can afford and put in the time to make it work. You design around its limitations. Sometimes you just have to say no to a job.
I wasted so many hours trying to make this stupid press work. I went through exaclty what you went through now. I tried printing cmyk many times but only succeeded ONCE. I took it all apart and made a spinner out of it in the back yard for my kids.
This my first day of online screen printing school. Your class was the best. I am stoked to proceed with the under $30 press and see what i can do. Great video.Cisco.
I currently have this press. It's been such a pain is thea ss, but has gotten me by. I was finally approved for a loan and bought myself a 6/4 Vaztex 1000. Still waiting for it to arrive but I'm so excited. Finally I won't be killing myself a week straight to just get 250 shirts printed! Work smart, not hard.
When I was looking into a press I was torn between this one and the Riley Hopkins jr. I ended up going with the Riley just for the simple fact of, you get what you pay for. If you have the means to get one, I would recommend it over this press. But if not, anything to get you started!
Why not just slot the bottom table place to adjust it either sideways or front and back to line it up with the registration marks instead of pissing time away trying to adjust the printer. .
Lol I was laughing the whole time due to just being relatable haha. But like you said it’s possible to print a multi color on this press. It just sometimes takes a long time to setup. And plus you have to know what your looking for when adjusting the cheap press.
Hi, great video, I am thinking of starting a small business. I am starting from scratch with little knowledge. What do I need to start? Budget friendly equipment for a beginner. Also, can you recommend something slightly better than the 4 color printing press in your video but not too expensive? I noticed I has a few troublesome quirks. Thanks for your help.
Helps with washout, and since we have an open door to daylight hitting the emulsion with water helps prevent any premature exposure as we walk the screen to the wash out booth.
What happened to 110 mesh? You say that 156 is "low mesh count" but I swear that as recently as 2 years ago I read absolutely everywhere that 110 mesh was the "all-purpose" mesh count for just about any job. Now it's lower than lowest? WTF happened? Did it just go out of style, like pleated pants? Is it just a fad? Is it one of those things like when slang changes you can't show your face in public if you use a slag term that was new six months ago? If you say "110 mesh count" will you just sound like an idiot? More importantly, what do I do with all the 110 mesh screens I bought two years ago?
Ok Cam...Iam really serious about starting screen printing. What press do you recommend. Cheers☕ from Ontario Canada...its effin hot today and I broke my God Damn Foot July 1st😭😭😭😭😭but nothing including a team of horses are going to stop me I grew up on a tobacco farm Im tuff stuff soooo As we say "Pour me another Whiskey😂 and lets get it on!"
This was my first press, and I wish I saw this video two years ago. 😂 Wish I could have been as a good of problem solver as Cam at that time. I just ditched it and went and bought a new press. Being more experienced now though I use it for my events.
Prefect press for me to refabricate. add micro registration. Taking out the little corks. vs welding one all the way from scratch.. All the presses I've looked at are either junk. or to high priced. THANKS
I've been using that exact press for 3 years. I have made thousands of dollars with it. Mostly one color but I have done multicolored with it. I made sure that the colors didn't have to register perfectly. I've had to fix it so many times and I'm fed up with it. I just bought a riley-hopkins press this morning. I'm going to still use this press but it'll be for sleeve prints.
Its still a good press to start with. It just aint going to be easy. Cheap or easy seems you can't have both. I think for your money the vastex 1000 is a great starter because it has micros. Also look into Ranar the cruzer by m&r, or the tornado by Anatol.
@@ThePrintLife The V100 will save you quite a bit of money. It's about a grand for a 4 color 2 station. No micros, but it's built solid. I have the press and I've done multi color jobs no probs! Love the content Cam!
What you learn with this press is an abundance of knowledge and when you do up grade you'll know exactly how to register and tweak the new press. Knowledge dont come easy. Oh and when you do upgrade it'll be way easier
Way too much jacking around on a cheap press for four color registration. Maybe a job that has more stroke added to the colors would have worked better. Better equipment, usually better details and less setup time.
Cool video. Thank you for making it. I was waiting to see this one after watching the video of you building it. I have the $400 micro reg press, but only messed around with one color so far. Your press looks way harder to setup. On my press the heads aren't fixed. You can loosen a couple bolts and adjust the height and side to side tilt so the screen is level. I'd be nervous to do what you did bending it. The micros help a lot by keeping the frame from moving when tightening things down. I think my heads are a little deeper giving allowance to move the screen front and back more. Another difference is your press uses circular clamps. My press has a solid bar that clamps down on the frame. Although the clamp on my press is stupid because the bolts that hold the bar on loosen and fall off after loosening tightening them a few times. Have to get something like loctite to keep them in place. I've been able to FPF without the frame moving keeping perfect registration. If I can manage to do this with all 4 colors I'd be happy. It's totally possible to create good prints with these cheap presses, just be prepared to spend a lot of time tweaking things.
Nailed it. Thanks for the comment. You can adjust the height of the head on the press. and technically the tilt but I had it completely bottomed out and the head was still not level. I think if you get one with micros. It would be a huge difference.
I have one of this. This machines are not fabricated to precision. There for multicolor jobs are hard mainly because screens move so much. One thing makes learning a painful experience. My advise if you have the space to set up buy a good press not this.
At 1:10 when you are talking bout putting the film on the platen and then sticking it to the screen, did you do something that wasn't recorded to "center" the film on the platen? I watched it like 6-7 times and I am still confused on how you are keeping them all uniform. Yes, I saw where you use the square and measure afterward, but I guess my question is, "Did you measure where the center of the platen is vertically to line up the registration marks prior to sticking the film on? If not, can you go into a little more detail on what you did then? Thanks!
so at the very beginning. -1:24- you bring a screen with emulsion on it to printing carousel to align the transparency to the screen and platten. but how do you not expose the screen doing it that way ?
haha started with that exact press too, paid extra for the extra arm too. the platens that came with it were cut wonky so had to make my own. also hand to wrap tape round all 4 arms to get them to slot into those rollers without moving as no matter what i did to the rollers they wouldn't stay where needed. got to the point where i just gave up and outsourced any jobs that were more than 1 colour! finally upgraded last year and now back to doing it all in house
Exactly its great for 1 color jobs, multi color can be done but ong runs would be tough. Smart that you outsourced the work, that seems to be the trick to starting a small shop. Thank you for the comment. You are the best.
Can you help me out where to get extra parts of this press? I ordered a same one on ebay, they delivered it without the screws, I reported this problem to the handler, they disappeared. I would need the whole screw packet it belongs to this press. Thx. :-*
@@juditkollar4323 it was 7 years ago when I bought it and I've since sold it. I remember there being a lot of bolts with alan key tops and a couple wood skrews for the platen but that's about it. If your missing all of them I'd put a direct refund request through ebay/PayPal if you paid through that
Its a garbage press. No micro adjustments for your screens to line the colors up! Its a tijuana screen press. Purchase a more reputable press vs that rubbish your stressing on. More work for you setting up vs printing.
I like white ink through as low as possible 110s if graphic permits it, as for colored I'll just go anything I got coated that's 200 or over, but if on a base at least 255. But your like for higher is understandable if you got alot of overlapping colors, so I dont disagree
Yes I had a whole section on one tens and how they will be easier to print and be more opaque, but decided to try and simplify to 2 options. And 156 helps reduce thickness with white prints. But I agree with you as well. So we agree that we agree to disagree while still agreeing.
Thank you so much for this video, and your additional comment. I am looking for a screen press station and was looking at this press, but the 2 station. I am glad I saw this before buying!! Also thankful you are providing some good options for entry level press machines.
I bought this unit used when I was getting back into the business. Not bad for one or two color jobs. I guess all those hours using this unit, I am really gonna appreciate when I get a new press.
I have this press... one gotcha I discovered on my last job was the middle bolt... it came loose so I was getting play while trying to register points during a job. Tightened it, problem solved. I agree, is it great.. no! Does it work.. yes. Can beat price point unless you have lots of money. Thanks for the video, learned a couple little things to help with future jobs.
Thanks for the tips and for leaving a comment. I assembled the presses in a rush and the most prominent thing was how every attachment point has play. I had to nudge and bump every damn bolt on the press. I could not include it all or the video would have been 1hr long.
Iam trying to sell a 4 color four station silk screener basically have everything you need to start up have no idea where to sell all of this received it from a friend that went overseas he said do whatever you want with it
I noticed that the set up has places for screws to secure onto a flat surface. Is that a necessity? do you know if the machine topples over if it is not secured?
I cringed through the whole thing, watching this one. I would be ready to give up after trying to complete the first job. For anyone considering getting one of these, unless you're just a hobbyist doing a couple on the side for some pocket change, save yourself the frustration and get a good quality press. Even if you buy a used quality press, you'll be SO much better off and you'll be happier. Two thumbs up Cam! By the way, looked like you were printing with peanut butter and baby sh*t. Ha Ha!
I know I’m late to the game but this video is amazing. I’m a hobbyist and finally got this press set up and will be attempting to use it soon. Hoping it helps since I’ve been working on my kitchen table for 2 years 🤦🏻♀️ the learning curve is crazy tho!
I'm on a green 4/1. Everyone here probably knows the green I'm referring to. For the first year I didn't stroke or trap anything. It was all butt registering. My very first job had a British flag with black letters in it. I think it took 2 hours to register that job. But it stayed. For over 100 shirts! Now I do a 1 pixel stroke in PS for the under colors. Nothing for the underbase because I hate myself.
I have a Riley Hopkins Junior 4 color one station press, with micro registration capabilities etc. etc. I also have other methods that I print, sublimation, and heat press vinyl. I have been absolutely terrified to go into the multiple colors, because I’ve always had issues registering the work. Even with micro registration capabilities. This video really kind of helps me out a little bit as far as confidence in the gear that I have, and that I just need to jump off the freaking cliff for crying out loud! Lots of cool little tips I picked up from this. Thank you very much!
For sure registration dosent need to be a nightmare the trick is allowing enough uninterupted time to get it there. It's the worst when you have people calling or the job is due tommorow. That is when everything seems to go wrong.
Hey cam. I’ve bought that hunk of junk as a starter a few months back. I haven’t laid any ink on it yet because I’m having a hard time with the placement and adjustment of the plattan. Can you offer any help there?
O the fun memories are justa flooding in.... Q_Q ....You got it brother. One or two color runs and I was getting about 20 to 30 prints through before the rubber mallet came out. LOL.....ya.. not kidding! That $12 deadblow hammer saved me alot of time and somehow beating on the thing was oddly satisfying .... with a little clever backyard engineering she's actually still in rotation!! it doesn't really look much like that any more!!! lol but a ebay turd at hart!! thanks again cam for all the great contains!!
@@harryhealy611 I made some modifications to the heads and now it's a great little press. Home made registration and off contact. upgraded the sprigs and turnbuckles. New design for the gate. Now it's my on the road rig!
@@corypettitt5596 That's really cool! jus started dis and bought dis press, been a little discouraged knowing it's a bit shit haha, gotta try figure out how to do all this
