New press - 8 colors or 10 colors

[jvanick]

We're getting closer and closer to ordering a new press...

we've already decided a few of the major parts:
AC heads
Servo Index

the hard part we're having is how many heads.

80-90% of our prints are 1-2 color jobs.
the rest are a mix between 4 to 5 colors with an occasional 6 color thrown in (maybe once a week or so).

an 8 color would be plenty for our current needs... no problem to run our 6 color jobs with a cool-down station, or 7 color jobs a bit more carefully...  or heck even an 8 color job if we were to move the flash to the unload station.

a 10 color would technically be overkill, but might open us up to more new jobs in the future...

Of course, with our current growth curve, we most likely will be able to add another press in 18 months or so anyways.

+ of a larger machine:
more heads, could potentially leave a front and back setup, especially for these large runs.
more cool down stations/options for flashing if need be.

- of  a larger machine:
more investment in platens (12 vs 10 needed per size)
more space needed, although not sure if the extra 1ft around would really matter that much.
extra 10k?-ish in cost... which could help fund a DTS quicker.

Any and all opinions are appreciated.

[Shanarchy]

As long as you can fit it, the 10 would obviously be the better option. The question is can you afford the difference in price. I think it's a good bump.

Your shop sounds very similar to mine. Mostly 1-2 color jobs, occasional 3-4 color jobs.

I should have my new to me press up and running next month. It's an 8/10. I'm sure I will be fine for many years to come with it. I have 2 flashes and plan on getting Action's roller/smoothing screen.

I really don't think I'm going to have to turn much, if anything, away.

Would  I trade it for a 10/12? In a second. Anything to guarantee that I won't have to press shop again and put that money towards other things (cts/dryer/embroidery/etc)

[GraphicDisorder]

I remain a firm believer in buying the largest press possible if its your only press.  There is no real negative to having more print stations other than size of the machine and cost.  But larger machine leaves doors open for more ink colors on a job you may have had to turn down, more jobs on the press at once, and so on.  IMO if 2 more heads are in your reach buy them! 

Of course if you dont want to do larger color print jobs then this doesn't apply to you. 

[Printficient]

Jason,
I know of a 10 color MHM E-Type for sale in Atlanta.  An '07 or '08 model.  New computer. 2 flashes.  mid $30's

[Colin]

I would strongly encourage you to get as many heads as you can fit into your footprint!

One option you have is to get a 12 color press but to put on 10 color sized heads.  The length of the Head/Arms are smaller on a 10 color so your footprint is smaller.  We have one and we love it.  It was installed at our old location as out footprint/allowed space was to small for the number of heads we wanted.

More heads = more options to flash and cooldown.  You can have 3 flashes on a press if needed and still run a larger multicolor job.  We have pushed our 14 color really hard this way.  Drawback:  No oversized screens as the back clamps are to close together.

TL;DR - More heads are better. 

Best of Luck!

[bimmridder]

Larger press? Set up multiple jobs at one time.

[Printficient]

Also for your consideration the MHM IQ Oval is modular.  Simply add heads and stations at your leisure.  No belt or chain to drive the platens.  Cool machine!!!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyt8Sg4JV2c

[jvanick]

Hirsch turns me off about MHM... and what about the platen deflection I'm reading about in the other thread...

CFO here is telling me to go new, or as close to new as possible...

Maybe we can convince Rich into letting us buy the press from the showroom after we get done running 50k impressions on it?? LOL.

[TCT]

If space isn't a issue(it WAS for us) the biggest negative of a larger press as stupid as it sounds, is actually walking around it. I know it sounds pathetic and rather trivial, but there are really no negatives.

Our bread and butter jobs are 2-4 color jobs and we use the hell out of our 10 color. You have the right idea with setting up a front and back and leaving them up. I am a superstitious person so I always leave both sides up till the job is all done! It is also very nice to set up multiple jobs in the am so as the day progresses you just turn one set if heads off and another set on and you are off and printing right away!

It has also been discussed the thoughts or advantages of a 8 color 12 station press, and leaving head 3 and 7 open...

Also depending in ink changes coming Print, Flash, Cool, Print, Flash, Cool, Print, Flash, Cool, ect. Will probably become more of a reality...

[jvanick]

Also depending in ink changes coming Print, Flash, Cool, Print, Flash, Cool, Print, Flash, Cool, ect. Will probably become more of a reality...

Of course, hopefully we'll figure some way to back that back into the cost model... can't even imagine how much heat and electricity that would throw off.

[tonypep]

We have some 14s and a ten but my favorite press is the 6/8 GT. And have fun changing pallet tape on 18 platens!

[Binkspot]

More heads, you will never kick yourself I the ass because you have too many heads. Especially if it's your only press.

[royster13]

How does a larger machine and more space affect your overhead?.......Sure more heads is nice if you need them, however, the overhead you pay must be paid on every job you do even if part of your space and machine is not needed.....

[jvanick]

Definitely won't be our only auto...

we'll be keeping the beater Javelin around just for kicks, at least until we are running both presses flat out and need to upgrade that one as well...

remember tho, that with our growth curve, I hope to be adding another new auto 12-18 months down the line... so I could always do a 10 color later...

how about if I ask it this way:

would I be better with a 8 color press AND a DTS
or a 10 color press and no DTS.

[Printficient]

Depending on the press go DTS.  If you want to use the DTS for the javelin then you need to find you a Tri Lock or pin system if you use Newmans