Vastex International has introduced a small-scale, low-cost Screen Registration System called “VRS Lite” that allows film positives to be registered onto screens off-press, and screens to be registered on-press 70 to 90 percent faster than with conventional methods.
Intended for smaller screen printing shops and start-ups, the tabletop system fits any rear-clamp manual press and is priced under $500.
The user simply aligns all film positives in registration on the pin board, and maintains registration when transferring positives onto each printing screen held against screen stops.
The pin board indicates shirt outlines, pocket placement, distance from neckline, and the central 12-inch (30.5 cm) “sweet spot” where most T-shirt art is placed.
Once screens are exposed, the pin board doubles as a “pallet jig” that is secured to one pallet of the press, allowing each screen to be held against the screen stops for clamping into each respective print head, maintaining screen-to-screen registration.
According to the company, the system eliminates virtually all of the trial-and-error time associated with registering screens on press, minimizing set-up time, increasing accuracy, and generating significantly higher profit per hour of press time.
The VRS Lite system accommodates wood, aluminum, or retensionable screens up to 21 inches wide-by-24 inches long (53.3-by-61 cm), pallets 14 to 17 inches (35.6 to 43.2 cm) wide, and fits virtually all presses with rear clamps up to 15 inches (38.1 cm).
It weighs 21 pounds (9.6 kg) and can ship via UPS, DHL, or other carrier.
Also available is a “Total VRS” screen registration system with separate pin board and pallet jig that accommodates 18- to 24-inch (45.7-by-61.0 cm) wide screens used on automatic as well as manual rear-clamp screen printing presses.
The company also manufactures entry-level and industrial-grade manual screen printing presses, infrared conveyor dryers, flash cure units, screen exposing units, screen drying cabinets, washout booths and complete screen printing shop systems, and offers a comprehensive range of training classes for entry-level, intermediate, and advanced screen printers.
For more information, call 800/482-7839 or visit www.vastex.com.
