If you were going to get a new piece of equipment, what would it be?

[Biverson]

This is a good problem to have! You say you have screens galore, but what kind of mesh? I would personally.:

• Set aside 2K to get about 100 screens re-meshed with Murakami S-mesh or Saait HiDro. Being able to pretty much 1-hit anything will make some orders quicker than they already are.
• If you need a vinyl cutter (not printer) you can get a Graphtec for about $1800. I've had mine for 2 years and absolutely zero problems.
• You're about 4.8K in now and I'd suggest a Tri-loc or other pre-reg system as others have suggested. That's probably around 3K
• Depending on your workflow and approval process I'd suggest Printavo. $1500/yr. for the mid-range package. You can get the next package up and have barcodes, full artwork upload, and more, but that's probably around 3k.

Any leftover maybe take the crew out to eat for moral? Just my 2 cents.

[mk162]

I too am thinking of a screen registration system. Right now that seems to be our biggest slowdown. I guess the question is are you trying to improve your current process or do you want to add a new service?

I think get as close to perfecting your current services before adding something new.  Or at least make them more efficient.  Essentially do more work with less labor and that savings can easily pay for a new addition.  Get the new service before you have a market and there is no guarantee it will make you money.

[Nation03]

Make a list of your biggest bottlenecks and invest in those areas to bring up efficiency. Tri-Loc or something similar should definitely be on that list. I'm trying to ditch the carrier sheets at the moment, but even with them it's a time saver on setups. I'm long overdue for a dip tank so that's happening this month finally. Even things as simple as extra ink and shirt carts to help job setups/tear downs etc. I need a set of winged flood bars as well so I can spend less time carding ink back into the middle of the screen.

[3Deep]

@nation03 dude once you get those winged flood bars you'll be happy I know I was, there is always something that can help your current process sometimes it's as little as moving equipment around that you already have which cost you nothing but time.

[Nation03]

@nation03 dude once you get those winged flood bars you'll be happy I know I was, there is always something that can help your current process sometimes it's as little as moving equipment around that you already have which cost you nothing but time.

haha glad to hear! I just ran a 2 color 500 piece order Friday and the biggest bottleneck was carding the ink every 16-24 shirts. Even if I get get 2 for white and black ink for now that would be huge.

[mimosatexas]

I can't even imagine printing without the wings...  The only time we touch ink on the screen during a run is if we need to add more ink on long runs, never for getting it back in the image area.

[balloonguy]

I agree with winged flood bars. That is a small investment that will pay for itself on the first use.

[alldayscreens]

Wishlist:

*Ink mixer/system
*Decent registration system
*Upgrading CRM
*Solid, large heat press
 
I like the re-meshing idea as well, that would be a solid upgrade.

[RICK STEFANICK]

A beer miester