The Best Screen Printing Machines for Small Business: Lawson’s All-in-One Startup Sets

The Best Screen Printing Machines for Small Business [2025]

Starting a screen printing business is an exciting venture for entrepreneurs, hobbyists, and creatives looking to turn their passion into profit. Whatever you're printing, having the right equipment is critical to producing professional-quality results. Lawson Screen & Digital Products, Inc., a trusted, family-owned U.S. manufacturer, offers a range of screen printing machines for small business owners, from hobbyists to those who aspire to be professional printers. Their all-in-one startup sets include everything you need—equipment, supplies, and hands-on training—to launch your screen printing shop with confidence. With 24/7 technical support, Lawson ensures you’re never alone on your entrepreneurial journey.

Econo Flash Dryer

1. Hobby Screen Printing Startup Set: Perfect for Beginners and Side Hustles

Ideal For: Hobbyists, artists, or anyone exploring screen printing as a fun side hustle.

The Hobby Screen Printing Startup Set is the most affordable way to start printing t-shirts, hoodies, and more from home. Priced for budget-conscious beginners, this kit delivers professional-quality prints at a low cost—around 5 cents per t-shirt—and can produce 40–60 shirts per hour. It’s perfect for printing band merch, craft projects, or small batches for friends and family.

What’s Included:

  • Lawson Scout 1 Color, 1 Station Press: A compact, easy-to-use manual press for single-color designs.
  • 16" x 16" Econo Flash Dryer: Cures ink quickly for efficient production.
  • Table Top Quartz Exposure Unit: Burns screens with precision for crisp designs.
  • Multi-Tech Plastisol Ink Start Up Kit: Includes white, black, red, blue, and thinner for vibrant prints.
  • Lawson Start Up Chemical and Supply Kit: Features emulsion, degreaser, adhesive sprays, squeegees, and a 20" x 24" aluminum frame with 110 mesh.
  • One-Day Comprensive Screen Printing Class for 1 Person: Hands-on training to master the basics.
  • 24/7 Print Support: Expert help whenever you need it.
  • Garment Printing Made Easy Book: A beginner-friendly guide to screen printing.

Why It’s Great for Small Businesses:

This set is lightweight, portable, and requires minimal space, making it ideal for home-based startups. With Lawson’s training and support, you’ll be printing professional-grade garments in no time, even with no prior experience.

2. Beginner Screen Printing Startup Set: Your First Step to a Professional Shop

Ideal For: Aspiring entrepreneurs ready to launch a small screen printing business. The Beginner Screen Printing Startup Set is designed for those transitioning from hobbyist to business owner. This professional-grade, U.S.-made package includes everything needed to start a screen printing shop from a home, garage, or small storefront. It’s transportable, user-friendly, and built to deliver consistent results.

What’s Included:

Why It’s Great for Small Businesses:

The Beginner Set offers a balance of affordability and capability, allowing you to produce multi-color designs for clients. The included conveyor dryer and washout booth streamline your workflow, while Lawson’s training ensures you’re ready to take on orders from day one.

3. Intermediate Screen Printing Startup Set: Scaling Up Your Business

Ideal For: Growing businesses ready for higher production and professional-grade equipment. The Intermediate Screen Printing Startup Set is a step up from the Beginner package, offering advanced equipment to handle larger orders and more complex designs. This turnkey package is perfect for entrepreneurs opening a storefront or expanding their home-based shop.

What’s Included:

Why It’s Great for Small Businesses:

The HD-Max press and M2-Encore dryer boost production capacity, making this set ideal for businesses taking on larger orders or custom clothing lines. The advanced exposure unit ensures crisp, detailed prints, helping you stand out in a competitive market.

Econo-Pro Plus Washout Booth

4. Advanced Screen Printing Startup Set: A Robust Solution for Serious Printers

Ideal For: Established businesses or startups aiming to serve diverse clients with high-quality prints. The Advanced Screen Printing Startup Set is a powerful package for entrepreneurs ready to compete at a professional level. With upgraded exposure technology and the same reliable HD-Max press, this set is built for versatility and efficiency.

What’s Included:

Why It’s Great for Small Businesses:

The LED-5000 exposure unit sets this package apart, enabling intricate designs that attract high-end clients. Combined with the HD-Max press and M2-Encore dryer, this set is perfect for businesses aiming to scale quickly while maintaining quality.

5. Professional Screen Printing Startup Set: The Ultimate Manual Printing Solution

Ideal For: Large-scale startups or businesses prioritizing maximum output and durability.

The Professional Screen Printing Startup Set is Lawson’s top-tier manual printing package, designed for high-volume production and unmatched reliability. This set is ideal for established shops or ambitious startups ready to dominate the market.

What’s Included:

Why It’s Great for Small Businesses:

With a larger conveyor dryer and premium washout sink, this set is built for businesses handling bulk orders or complex projects. The LED-5000 ensures your designs are sharp, while the HD-Max press delivers consistent results, making it a favorite for professional printers.

Mini-Trooper Automatic Screen Printing Startup Set

6. Automatic Screen Printing Startup Sets: Mini-Max and Mini-Trooper

Ideal For: Businesses ready to automate for faster production and consistent results.

For small businesses looking to scale efficiently, Lawson’s Automatic Screen Printing Startup Sets—the Mini-Max and Mini-Trooper—offer entry-level automation without overwhelming complexity. These compact, professional-grade presses fit in small spaces and deliver high output, making them perfect for startups transitioning to automated printing.

Mini-Max Automatic Screen Printing Startup Set

Mini-Trooper Automatic Screen Printing Startup Set

Why They’re Great for Small Businesses:

The Mini-Max and Mini-Trooper sets revolutionize small business printing by automating the process, increasing output, and reducing labor. Their compact designs fit in garages or small storefronts, and Lawson’s training ensures you master automation quickly. The Mini-Trooper’s 4-color, six-station capability makes it ideal for complex designs and larger orders.

Choosing the Right Screen Printing Machine for Your Small Business

Selecting the best screen printing machine for small business depends on your goals, budget, and production needs. Here’s a quick guide:

  • Hobby Set: Start small with a low-cost kit for personal projects or side hustles.
  • Beginner Set: Launch a small business with affordable, professional-grade equipment.
  • Intermediate Set: Scale up with advanced tools for growing shops.
  • Advanced Set: Serve diverse clients with high-quality, detailed prints.
  • Professional Set: Maximize output for large-scale operations.
  • Mini-Max/Mini-Trooper: Automate for high-volume, consistent production.

Why Choose Lawson Screen Printing Machines for Small Business?

Lawson Screen & Digital Products has been a leader in the screen printing industry for decades, known for its professional-grade, U.S.-made equipment and exceptional customer support. Their startup sets are tailored for small businesses, offering:

  • Complete Solutions: Each set includes essential equipment, inks, chemicals, screens, and supplies to get you printing right away.
  • Hands-On Training: Free 1-day Screen Printing workshops in St. Louis, MO, or Atlanta, GA, teach you the art and science of screen printing through practical experience.
  • 24/7 Support: Lawson’s team provides round-the-clock screen printing support to ensure your success.
  • Free Shipping on Supplies: Orders over $100 (US only).
  • Scalability: From hobby kits to automatic presses, Lawson’s sets grow with your business, making them ideal for startups and expanding shops.

From hobby kits to high-output automatic presses, these comprehensive screen printing sets include everything you need—equipment, supplies, and training—to succeed. Explore the product pages for the best screen printing machines for small business, contact us, and find the ideal set for your goals. Don’t miss out—start building your thriving small business today!

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