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Equipment tiers

What a shop typically runs at each stage, what actually matters when you buy, and how to check power, space and used gear. We don’t list prices: they change often and vary by seller, freight and tax.

Updated October 20269 short topics~7 min to read it all17 sources

In short

  1. The press puts ink on the shirt; the cure decides whether it survives the wash. Budget for curing and testing from day one.
  2. Check power and doors before brand. Some dryers need a 20A, 240V or dedicated circuit.
  3. Buying used? You’re the inspector: test registration and check for liens.

In this guide

  1. 01Where to start
  2. 02Tier 1: hobby or garage
  3. 03Tier 2: side hustle
  4. 04Tier 3: small shop
  5. 05What actually matters
  6. 06Power and amps
  7. 07Buying used: a checklist
  8. 08Red flags, and what not to buy first
  9. 09Safety and environment
Sources for this guide (17)
  1. ScreenPrinting.com Help, What do I need to start a shop?
  2. ScreenPrinting.com Help, How do I pick the right press?
  3. ScreenPrinting.com, Which screen printing press is right for me?
  4. Lawson Screen & Digital, Curing plastisol inks
  5. International Coatings, Curing ink with a heat gun
  6. ScreenPrinting.com, 4 curing methods
  7. ScreenPrinting.com Help, How do you cure plastisol with a flash dryer?
  8. Avient, Mapping your conveyor dryer (PDF)
  9. Ink Kitchen, Buying used screen printing equipment (July 2026)
  10. Ink Kitchen, Why out of register? Let me count the ways
  11. Signs101 forum, Where to find used equipment
  12. Signs101 forum, Looking for a new or used conveyor dryer
  13. Screen Printing Magazine, Stencilmaking in the age of CTS
  14. ScreenPrinting.com, Compression vs. vacuum exposure units
  15. OSHA, Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200)
  16. NIOSH, Health hazard evaluation 2007-0053-3092 (PDF)
  17. Cedar City, UT, Screen printers best management practices

Where sources disagree, the page says so.