Many small screen printing businesses choose a manual press because it is easy to use and affordable. This simple, cost-effective option suits new shops or those managing small, custom orders.

As your business expands, manual screen printing’s limitations may restrict your growth. This guide helps you recognize when to upgrade to an automatic screen printing press.

At Anatol Equipment, we actively support countless shops in transitioning to automation. Our team guides you through the process, ensuring your shop maximizes its potential with the right screen printing equipment.

7 Signs Your Screen Printing Shop is Ready for Automation

Upgrading to an automatic screen printing press can transform your shop’s efficiency, output, and profit. Here are seven clear indicators that it’s time to make the leap:

1. You’re Turning Away Orders or Missing Deadlines

If your shop is struggling to keep up with demand, turning down orders, or missing deadlines, your manual press may be the bottleneck. Manual presses require significant time and labor, which limits your capacity.

An automatic screen printing press can produce 4 to 10 times more than a manual press. This helps you accept bigger orders without exhausting your team. With faster production, you can meet tight deadlines and grow your customer base..

2. You’re Consistently Printing Large Runs

Manual presses are perfect for small, custom jobs, but they’re not built for high-volume orders. If you print over 100 shirts regularly, your workers may get tired from repeating the same manual tasks. An automatic press delivers consistent prints across large runs and removes the need for hand-pulling squeegees. With automation, you can handle bulk orders efficiently while maintaining high-quality results.

3. Inconsistent Quality is Impacting Your Reputation

Manual screen printing relies a lot on the operator’s skill and stamina. As fatigue builds up during long runs, problems with ink coverage, registration, or print quality can occur. These variations can cause customer complaints or expensive reprints.

Automatic presses provide precise and consistent prints, no matter the run length. Investing in an automatic screen printing machine helps protect your shop’s reputation by delivering professional results every time.

4. You’re Out of Time and Space to Grow

Growth is exciting, but it’s challenging when your shop is maxed out on time and space. Manual presses require significant labor and floor space, which limits your ability to scale.

Automatic presses produce more prints in the same amount of space. This lets you grow without needing a bigger facility or more staff.

With automation, you can maximize your existing resources and take your screen printing shop to the next level.

5. You Want to Boost Profit Margins

Automation streamlines production, reducing labor costs and speeding up turnaround times. The upfront cost of an automatic press might seem high, but the long-term benefits make it a smart investment. By lowering per-job costs, you can offer better prices, attract new clients, and keep your current ones. Anatol designs automatic screen printing presses to help you increase profits while keeping quality high.

6. Your Team is Feeling Burned Out

Manual screen printing is physically demanding. Repetitive tasks can lead to fatigue, injuries, or burnout. As order volumes grow, these problems can worsen, affecting employee morale and productivity.

An automatic press reduces the physical workload, creating a more sustainable work environment. When you invest in automation, you show your team that you value their well-being. This can boost employee retention and job satisfaction.

7. You Need to Stay Competitive

The screen printing industry is changing. More shops are using automation to deliver faster, better, and more consistent results that customers expect.

To stay competitive, you need to keep up with these standards. An automatic press lets you offer quicker turnarounds, higher print quality, and reliable results.

This gives you an edge over competitors who still rely on manual equipment. Outdated technology can limit your shop’s potential—consider upgrading to stay ahead.

Overcoming Common Concerns About Automation

Transitioning to an automatic screen printing press is a major decision, and it’s normal to have concerns. Here are answers to some common questions:

  • Will I have enough orders to justify the investment? Automatic presses work well for both small and large orders. You can begin with your current workload and easily grow as demand increases.
  • Is the upfront cost affordable? At Anatol, we provide automatic presses for various budgets. We also offer financing options to help make the switch easier.
  • Do I have enough space? Modern automatic presses are more compact than ever, designed to fit into shops of all sizes.
  • Is automation difficult to learn? Anatol’s presses are user-friendly, and our team provides comprehensive training and support to ensure a smooth transition.

Why Choose Anatol for Your Automatic Screen Printing Press?

At Anatol Equipment, we specialize in helping screen printing shops grow with reliable, high-performance equipment. We build our automatic presses for efficiency, durability, and ease of use. They are a reliable solution for screen printing businesses at any stage of development. Whether you’re switching from manual printing or growing your automated system, we have tailored solutions to support your goals.

Ready to Take Your Screen Printing Shop to the Next Level?

If your manual press is holding your shop back, it might be time to consider automation. Switching to an automatic press doesn’t mean giving up quality or personalization. Instead, it gives your business the tools to do more—faster and more efficiently.

Contact Anatol Equipment today to speak with a regional sales manager about the right solution for your shop. Whether you’re just beginning to consider automation or ready to make the switch, we’re here to support your success.