How to Save Labour Costs in Screen Printing: Top Tips and Must-Have Machinery

Running a screen printing business comes with unique challenges, and one of the most significant expenses is labour. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your operations, finding ways to reduce labour costs without sacrificing quality is essential for growth and profitability.

In this blog post, we’ll explore practical strategies to streamline your production process, reduce manual effort, and maximize efficiency. From adopting innovative machinery to implementing smart workflow practices, we’ll share actionable tips and recommend equipment that can save you time, energy, and money.

Whether you’re looking to increase output, reduce waste, or simply make your team’s workday smoother, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to stay competitive in the dynamic world of screen printing. Let’s dive in and discover how to do more with less!

 

1. Optimize Your Workflow

• • Streamline your production floor layout to reduce unnecessary movement.
  • Implement a clear, step-by-step process for every task, from screen preparation to final packaging.
  • Train employees to multitask efficiently without sacrificing attention to detail

 

 2. Invest in Automation
Manual tasks like screen cleaning, alignment, and repetitive printing can be automated to save time and labour. Automation also ensures consistency, reducing errors and waste.

 

3. Schedule Smartly

• • Prioritize jobs based on complexity and deadlines to minimize downtime.
  • Use job batching to group similar designs or colours together for faster processing.

 

Machinery that can help save on labour costs: 

 

The D2M Screen maker

The D2M eliminates the need for exposure and washout processes. It only requires one person to input the artwork and monitor the machine as it prints your design directly onto the mesh, ready for immediate use.

The M&R Password Auto Take Off System 

An automatic textile unloader for automatic screen printing presses. It will grab your garment directly for your press and transfer it to your dryer, Removing the need for a person to unload garments manually

The M&R Turnabout Ink Mixer

Mixing alot of pantones? The M&R Turnabout ink mixer efficiently handles ink mixing, freeing up workers to focus on other tasks.

Manual and automatic squeegee cleaners 

Save time and money with automatic and manual squeegee cleaners.

M&R’s Qwik-Klean™ automates the highly labor-intensive, tedious process of cleaning squeegee holders and floodbars – This machine can clean up to 24 squeegees at a time.

The Manual Squeegee Cleaner will make cleaning your manual or automatic squeegees easier than ever if you have a smaller set up. Simply insert the squeegee between the brushes and slowly turn the handle. The scrubbing action of the quad-brush formation will clean the dirtiest squeegees in seconds

The Autoglide 4060 Heat Press 

The Autoglide heatpress has double tables side by side for enhanced productivity: while pressing on one base plate, place the next garment to be personalized on the other,  improving efficiency and production levels.

M&R Automatic Screen Cleaners 

M&R offers a range of automatic screen cleaners designed to streamline your screen room operations. Simply load your screen, and the machine takes care of cleaning and reclaiming your screens for you – again, freeing up workers to focus on other tasks.

 

Reducing labour costs in screen printing isn’t just about saving money—it’s about building a smarter, more efficient operation. By optimizing your workflow, investing in time-saving machinery, and embracing automation where possible, you can improve productivity, reduce errors, and free up your team for more value-driven tasks.

Whether you’re upgrading to an automatic screen printing press, using pre-registration systems, or streamlining processes with effective training and tools, every step you take toward efficiency pays off in the long run. Lower labour costs mean higher profitability, faster turnaround times, and the ability to scale your business with confidence.

Implementing these tips and investing in the right equipment is a surefire way to stay competitive in the ever-evolving screen printing industry. Start making these changes today and watch as your business grows stronger, leaner, and more profitable!