If it were you...

[Mazn]

I am in the market for a new auto for a small shop and so far, I've narrowed things down to an M&R Diamondback E or Anatol Volt M. Still not sure if I will go with 6 or 8 color yet, but I am interested and open to thoughts, experience and opinions on these two options (or possibly others...if I've overlooked a good press). Appreciate the feedback!

[zanegun08]

Do you have to go electric or can you do air?  Small as in small business, or small as in small square footage.

I'd look at a M&R Cobra or a ROQ You, I was actually in a store in an outlet mall this weekend and they had a print shop setup https://scoutnorthwest.com in a small corner of their business that was pretty clean, and a small footprint. 

I took a picture as it was a cool setup, was nice and clean, and was totally random to come across a printing press on full display in a mall.

I wouldn't get a side clamp press, also the print area on the Diamondbacks are small, if you have M&R Manual and have pallets and other stuff for them I'd look at a Cobra or Sportsman, and I'd suggest the 8 color or bigger if you can.  You could always buy a 10/12 but get it as an 8 head so you have two flashes.  If a "small shop" probably not a big deal to do jobs in revolver mode so you could have a true 8 color press.

Of course this is without enough information, but spend the money up front so you don't have to spend it twice later, try to future proof yourself if you can justify and have the space.

That's my feedback

[Mazn]

Thanks for the feedback...It's a small shop in terms of production (I do a lot of custom design and short to medium-run work) and my footprint for the press and dryer is 24' x 32'...so I have some room. The rest of the shop is dedicated to DTG, embroidery and darkroom.

[zanegun08]

I would get a quote on a Cobra, Sportsman, as well as the ROQ presses, and check out Workhorse as well.  If you have a dryer for DTG that you could already use that would be more ideal, or if you don't yet have a dryer, may want to get a dryer that can work for both screen print and DTG.

All the presses are good quality, it's 2021, no one is miles ahead.  I'd try to find who you think will be the best support and proximity to service for you as ultimately things will break.

I'd also look at the print stroke, and try to find what would fit your business best, I personally like large prints, but where I work our niche doesn't really do a ton of large prints besides bandanas.

So you really know what would be best for your business.  I'd say if you can, go a little bigger than you want, you don't have to get them with every station having a print head to save some money as well.  But really if you are just trying to fill a gap of higher quantity lower spot color that DTG is isn't well suited for then you may not need many print heads.

Also check lead times for each press and model, if you want something now but they could be Q4 2021.

Lastly find out what is in your area that you could go check out in person to see run, and look for the little quirks you may like long term.  I like how the heads lift up on the ROQ to take a flash, if you want to see what $$k of manged up flashes look like because of employees that don't care and design that doesn't accommodate them well looks like swing by here 

[Nation03]

Diamondback can do an 18" print stoke and if you use a 33" screen you can likely squeeze it to 19" long. I never really need to print over 17" so it works for the majority of jobs. Right now I have a Diamondback S but I'll be selling it in the spring and looking to go with either a Diamondback E or Volt M. Leaning towards the Volt mainly to ditch the air compressor. I've spoke with enough Volt owners at this point to feel comfortable going that route. Anatol seems to have stepped up their support and the Volt seems to proven itself reliable. Plus the newer Volts with Servo print heads have digital pressure control. If I was moving into a bigger space I'd definitely consider a Cobra. Either way try to get at least an 8 color press.

[GraphicDisorder]

Neither, if your space is your limiting factor I suggest correcting that first. Then buy a level of auto above both of those. With 4 heads at least more than you think you need. Cause you'll find out you wish you did.

[1964GN]

You owe it to yourself to look at a MHM X-Type. We have owned ROQ and M&R and the MHM is a far better machine in our opinion. MHM>ROQ>M&R in that order.

What ever you buy go bigger than what you need today. You'll thank me in the future.

[inkman996]

Neither, if your space is your limiting factor I suggest correcting that first. Then buy a level of auto above both of those. With 4 heads at least more than you think you need. Cause you'll find out you wish you did.

Thats not necessarily always true. It depends on the shops business model. Your shop tends to print more sim process retail type stuff. Our shop tends to print corporate type stuff. I have never said damn I wish I had 10 head instead of our 8 head. I would upgrade to a 10 head not for more print capacity but for more cool down stations, but 10 would be the limit.

[GraphicDisorder]

Neither, if your space is your limiting factor I suggest correcting that first. Then buy a level of auto above both of those. With 4 heads at least more than you think you need. Cause you'll find out you wish you did.

Thats not necessarily always true. It depends on the shops business model. Your shop tends to print more sim process retail type stuff. Our shop tends to print corporate type stuff. I have never said damn I wish I had 10 head instead of our 8 head. I would upgrade to a 10 head not for more print capacity but for more cool down stations, but 10 would be the limit.

I prefer the least amount of limitations as possible. If I did your type of work id still have a 18 color right now, id just stage more jobs during each set up.

[inkman996]

Neither, if your space is your limiting factor I suggest correcting that first. Then buy a level of auto above both of those. With 4 heads at least more than you think you need. Cause you'll find out you wish you did.

Thats not necessarily always true. It depends on the shops business model. Your shop tends to print more sim process retail type stuff. Our shop tends to print corporate type stuff. I have never said damn I wish I had 10 head instead of our 8 head. I would upgrade to a 10 head not for more print capacity but for more cool down stations, but 10 would be the limit.

I prefer the least amount of limitations as possible. If I did your type of work id still have a 18 color right now, id just stage more jobs during each set up.

Meh, I used to think like that and we used to try and set up more than one job at a time but it kind of faded away. We just break a job down immediately when done, it only takes a minute or two. And when we are busy and have more hands its easier for the floater to have time while one job is being printed to prep screens inks, squeegees etc for when the current job is done.

[3Deep]

I agree with most of what everyone said about getting more heads, maybe not for print but cool downs and flash, and Anatol is not a bad option for a auto, and if someone starts yelling service, all press's need service but what is nice is not to need it all the time.  Nothing wrong with any of the other press's that this guys are talking about, some have more bells and whistles than the other, but production and ease of use is what your looking for and a press that meets the print size need your looking for, I might be the only Anatol press user here LOL

[RICK STEFANICK]

In addition to all that has been said...  In a small shop really any brand you buy is going to improve your work life/balance and meet your needs going from auto to manual. The customer doesn't care if its ran on a 200k press with a 3k a month payment or a used Guantlet RS you paid 5K cash for used as long as the quality is there. either press mentioned will improve your life is my point

[Rockers]

I am in the market for a new auto for a small shop and so far, I've narrowed things down to an M&R Diamondback E or Anatol Volt M. Still not sure if I will go with 6 or 8 color yet, but I am interested and open to thoughts, experience and opinions on these two options (or possibly others...if I've overlooked a good press). Appreciate the feedback!

We are upgrading from a M&R Diamondback S 8/10 to a ROQ Next 10/14 . Our production floor is pretty small but we make it work. I`m glad we got rid of the Diamondback. I had as well quotes for the M&R Cobra but to me it feels like there is a lack of innovation, there is nothing that really stands out or wanted me to purchase the Cobra over the ROQ Next. Our ROQ Next is an M- size press in terms of printable image area. Last but not least, stay away from a press that lifts up the print table.

[3Deep]

Funny that you say stay away from a press that the table comes up, we had many years ago an old Multiprinter with 6 heads and I think 8 or 10 stations, took up a butt load of room, those print heads came down, and then the all table up press just knocked it right out the box and now it's back again, only this time lighter and the heads move from the center instead of the outside, I guess more things change the more they stay the same somewhat

[californiadreamin]

In addition to all that has been said...  In a small shop really any brand you buy is going to improve your work life/balance and meet your needs going from auto to manual. The customer doesn't care if its ran on a 200k press with a 3k a month payment or a used Guantlet RS you paid 5K cash for used as long as the quality is there. either press mentioned will improve your life is my point

Agree 100% Words of Wisdom!

Many good presses to choose from.
Misinformation on not buying a table lift type press. Great presses!
*Caution*  Watching You Tube does not replace proven experience.
Buy what you can afford, learn and hopefully build your business.
There is no magic or shortcuts to this.
Be profitable and have fun!
Good Luck!
Winston