ImagesMagUK_Digital_Edition_Feb18

www.images-magazine.com FEBRUARY 2018 images 53 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT You need to decide whether to go for a second-hand machine or new. Second-hand clearly will cost less, but this is offset by older technology and potentially not being able to find spare parts as easily – a press generates profit only while it is up and running. Warranty will be limited, plus you may not know its maintenance history. For new machines, financing is more likely to be available. Whether you go for new or second- hand, finding a reputable supplier is paramount. Check they have a good parts ordering service, quality after-sales and customer service, experience in technical support, training options and a buy-back or part-exchange option for when you want to upgrade. If I could, I would recommend opting for a team headed up by a bald and blue-eyed bloke, but I won’t, in case I get accused of bias. Final considerations There are a number of other things you need to consider before taking the plunge, and you may need to consider making some other strategic investments to avoid creating a bottleneck in other departments in your print shop. • Do you have enough space not only to house the press, but also to operate it efficiently? • Does your current exposure unit have room for more than one screen? • What power source do you have? A three-phase electricity supply is generally needed for the flash dryer because of the speed needed, heat given and the bigger area covered. • A compressor will also be needed with dried, chilled air • You’ll want to consider a larger dryer to cope with the auto’s increased output. • If you’re going to use larger screens (23” x 31”), is your current screen room capable? And is it up to scratch? As well as checking you have enough space for the new machinery, you’ll also need to consider extra storage space for the larger number of garments you’ll be printing during each shift. Will you need folding and bagging machinery and, if so, do you have room for that as well? Research, along with a pragmatic approach and a thorough understanding of your business’s figures, will ensure you make the right decision. Once you’ve bought the machine, it’ll be up to you to make it work to the best of its abilities, so you need to know you’ve got everything in place for an automatic leap into greater profitability. www.daveroper.co.uk Whether you go for new or second- hand, finding a reputable dealer is paramount to factor in some additional costs for ancillary equipment and upgrades to your shop to get the most out of the new auto – see below. The return on investment from an automatic, however, is much greater – you can expect between three to eight times more production with an automatic press compared with a manual, and it won’t call in sick. The time saved, as well as the extra production capabilities, will allow you to build the business at a much faster pace. Colour, print size and costs Once you decide an automatic textile press is for you, you’ll need to decide on the number of colours and the print area of your new automatic. I recommend you plan for the future by using the 80/20 rule, where it is recommended to purchase a press that will accommodate at least 80% of the work you are currently printing. For example, if only 5-10% of your business is large format, a larger press might not be cost effective. The cost of an automatic press is generally no more than that of hiring an additional employee to print on a new manual, although you may also have The manual Kruzer press from M&R The M&R Diamondback S automatic carousel