Every screen printer aims to grow their business by increasing output. The key to boosting productivity is upgrading equipment and streamlining processes to enhance efficiency and simplify time-consuming tasks.
Screen making and reclaiming are among the most labor-intensive parts of screen printing. Here are five ways to simplify and improve your process using top-quality equipment and tools from Lawson Screen and Digital.
1. Improve Screen Coating Technology
Consistent emulsion coatings lead to better prints, and automation ensures that consistency. The following tools from Lawson help you achieve peak efficiency and dependable results:
Saati Pro Coat
This industry-leading screen coater handles up to two 25" x 36" screens or a single screen up to 53" x 49". With a motorized carriage controlled by a foot pedal and an intuitive user interface, it’s designed for high-production environments while remaining versatile for smaller runs.
Lawson Auto-Coat Emulsion Coater
Featuring smooth travel, a variable-frequency motor, and precise machining, this coater delivers exceptional emulsion consistency. Its user-friendly control panel allows operators to adjust coating speed, set start and end positions, and activate the unit with a foot pedal.
Lawson Roto Coat
This USA-made emulsion coating system simplifies the pre-press process for screen printers seeking consistent, high-quality results. It securely mounts screens, enabling two-handed emulsion application for smoother, more uniform coats. Ideal for shops wanting professional results without the cost of automatic coaters, it fits standard textile screens (20" x 24", 20" x 28", 23" x 31") and supports larger sizes upon request.
2. Upgrade to CTS (Computer-to-Screen)
Traditional methods like shooting negatives or using printed vellum are outdated. Computer-to-Screen (CTS) technology eliminates the need for film, streamlining the screen-burning process.
SAATI LTS E70B Direct Laser Imaging & Exposure Machine
This advanced CTS unit images and exposes one screen up to 25" x 36" without vacuum or film positives. Featuring a planar array of 64 lasers with resolutions of 1270 and 2540 DPI, it ensures precise pixel placement for perfectly registered halftone screens. An in-door safe view window enhances usability.
ScreenPRO 600 CTS Imaging System
The ScreenPro 600 images artwork directly onto screen meshes, eliminating the need for traditional film positives. This reduces material costs and environmental impact while ensuring highly accurate, repeatable results, crucial for fast on-press registration in multi-color jobs.
CTS Wax-Jet Printer
This digital printer optimizes image quality without compromising throughput or consumable costs. It offers faster turnaround times, reduced exposure times, no image distortion, and less handling. By eliminating film, the Wax-Jet becomes an integral part of the digital workflow.
3. Get the Perfect Exposure Unit
A high-quality exposure unit ensures fast, consistent results tailored to modern CTS imaging technology.
LED-5000 Vertical Slide CTS Exposure Unit
This compact, vertical unit is designed for exposing CTS and wax-produced screens. Simulating a 5,000-watt metal halide exposure, it combines rapid exposure with energy efficiency, ease of use, and reliability.
LED-5000 Screen Printing Exposure Unit
This user-friendly unit offers fast, consistent exposures with optimal LED light technology for excellent resolution and sharp edge definition. It’s energy-efficient and cost-effective, making it ideal for both beginners and professional screen printers.
Expo-LED Screen Printing Exposure Unit
Compact and versatile, the Expo-LED is perfect for exposing t-shirt screens, line copy, and halftones. It uses standard 120-volt plug-in wiring, is easy to move, and features LED bulbs with a 10,000+ hour lifespan, reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
4. Upgrade Your Washout Sink and Filtration System
Efficient washout and filtration systems streamline screen cleaning while protecting the environment.
Poly-Pro Manual Sink
This system integrates a Poly-Pro Washout Booth with a dedicated ink degradant recirculation system. It captures, filters, and recirculates used screen printing chemicals through a hose for continuous reuse, enhancing efficiency.
VC-Stainless Filtration System
This eco-friendly solution removes harmful waste from the screen cleaning process, protecting plumbing and the environment. Water from the washout sink flows through a multi-stage filtration system that traps emulsion, tape, ink particles, and other solids.
Poly-Pro Deluxe Sink
Essential for screen printers, this washout booth offers a safe, efficient solution for developing and reclaiming screens. It features a backlit sink, storage shelving, and an overspray hood for a highly productive workspace.
5. Automate Screen Reclamation
Automated screen reclamation saves time and optimizes workflow by cleaning, degreasing, and dehazing screens in one process.
Ajax-R In-Line Screen Reclaimer
Perfect for shops seeking simple automation, the Ajax-R accommodates screens from small ASI/pen frames up to 25" x 36" O.D. It streamlines cleaning, degreasing, and dehazing, saving valuable time and resources.
Lawson's Automated Wash & Go Screen Reclaimer
This compact, automated powerhouse cleans ink and emulsion from garment, t-shirt, and graphic printing screens. Ideal for small shops or those with limited space and power, it handles both manual and automatic screen frames (20" x 24" and 23" x 31" outer dimensions) in a single 120-second cycle.
Conclusion
Streamlining every step of your screen making and reclaiming process boosts productivity. With Lawson’s high-quality equipment, automating these tasks becomes seamless. Contact our experts today to find a customized solution for your screen printing needs!