Commercial Screen Printing Platens, Pallets & Hold-Down Attachments
Heavy-duty screen printing platens and pallets are critical for maintaining precise print registration, flat substrate positioning, and consistent ink laydown. Whether you run high-speed automatic production presses or manual shop equipment, choosing between heat-resistant aluminum and cost-effective wood/composite platens directly impacts garment loading efficiency and flash cure performance.
Selecting the Right Pallet & Bracket Setup for Your Press
Lawson Workhorse Group (LWG) designs and manufactures high-durability replacement platens, specialty hold-downs, and mounting hardware tailored to fit Lawson, Workhorse, and DCC brand presses:
- Aluminum Platens: Engineered for extreme heat resistance on automatic presses. Solid rubber-topped aluminum surfaces eliminate warpage caused by repeated quartz or infrared flash drying, ensuring flat printing across long runs.
- Wood & Composite Platens: Durable, lightweight, and economical solutions ideal for manual printing presses, short runs, and entry-level screen printing setups.
- Specialty & Apparel Platens: Expand your product offering with specialty tooling like Sleeve Platens, Koozie Platens, Jacket Hold-Down Platens, and pocket attachments.
- Slip-Tubes & Mounting Hardware: Custom bracket fittings—including Diamond, Rectangular, and Quick-Slide slip-tubes—ensure level pallet positioning and rapid changeovers across older and current press models.
All Lawson and Workhorse pallets are Made in the USA and backed by direct technical support, custom fabrication capabilities, and quick shipping from primary warehouse facilities in St. Louis, MO, and Atlanta, GA.
Screen Printing Platens & Pallets: FAQ
What is the benefit of Aluminum Platens vs. Wood/Composite Platens?
Aluminum platens are the professional standard for automatic presses because they withstand intense flash cure heat without warping or swelling over time. Composite and wood platens offer a budget-friendly option for manual screen printing where extreme heat exposure is minimal.
How do I choose the correct Slip-Tube bracket for my press?
Slip-tube mounting brackets must match your press arm geometry. Lawson offers Diamond, Rectangular, and Quick-Slide slip-tubes to guarantee your pallets lock securely and maintain level registration on Lawson, Workhorse, and DCC equipment.
Should I use Platen Tape or Spray Adhesive?
To protect rubber tops from degradation and accelerate teardown times, apply high-tack Platen Tape over the board, paired with water-based or gel adhesives like PalletGel to eliminate overspray mess.
Does Lawson manufacture custom platen sizes or vacuum platens?
Yes. In addition to standard shirt, youth, and sleeve sizes, LWG builds custom-engineered Custom Vacuum Platens and custom pallet dimensions to meet specialized manufacturing and oversized graphic requirements.
Are Lawson platens compatible with other press brands?
Yes. Lawson platens and replacement brackets can be customized or retrofit with universal slip-tubes to fit major manual and automatic screen printing press brands across the industry.
