Printex Prism review

arttex · February 28th, 2012, 06:55 PM

Well, I have read all that Printex related stuff and after some thinking I decided to buy one, just to check what's that hype all about.

First, I must say I'm not connected in any way with Printex USA sales network, nobody asked me to post anything to get some "special discount", nor do I have any business connections with Robert. I'm just a screen printer like many of you guys here, and I will try to give you some honest opinion about the piece of equipment I just bought.

Prism arrived on time as promised and after few days the install has begun.

Install was smooth and fast. Some of my guys helped, 'cause I think that's the good way to have your employees know and understand their machine better.

Install is just to be done.

I received spare parts kit as promised.Lift cylinder, chopper cylinders, frequency converter, spare quartz lamps, printhead control panels, various electric and electronics, pneumatic valves, fittings, gauges, power supply, air lubricator-regulator, all kinds of sensors, etc...all was there .

After install is done it looked like this: (I'm waiting for a larger dryer)

And soon, the time has come. Let's make this beast print some t-shirts:
(the first 3,000 front and back)

Here "Sporty" and Printex Prism are working side by side. No bashing, no arguing, they are doing just fine.

And let me tell you about that M&R's press above. After 2-3 minor tweaking in the first month, this little fellow is serving me without any major problem for almost 6 years now. Power supply and two proxies were the only parts I've changed, if I'm right. Yes, there were times when I needed at least two extra heads badly and larger print area, but "Sporty" has made me some nice bucks so far. Well built piece of equipment, no doubt about it.

Printex Prism print head in action:

So, to sum it up: As of today, we are close to 10,000 impressions on Prism. No problems of any kind whatsoever. Press looks like a very good and rigid build. Setting up the jobs is easy and fast. A lot of electronic controls on your fingertips at every head. They improved software, with shortcut to printhead settings on the main control panel. Print heads are working nice and smooth. Nothing is an "option" that has to be extra payed, everything is included in regular price. Sq/Fl Air locks, foot pedals, etc... I don't like the main counter all the time in the corner the display, it could be good if it can be turned on and off. (maybe it is possible, I didn't check). Also, the press is a bit louder ("whoooosh" air out sound when the upper table is going down) and due to open indexer. With a bit of modification of the base housing (lift cylinders and indexer are open) this can be solved easily and as I understood they are working on it. It is not a big issue, tough. What I liked a lot so far is that press automatically locks the screens, squeegees, floodbars, when the print is started. Sometimes, when re-registering or setting the job workers forget to do it and I can tell you, loose squeegee or floodbar can make a big mess when powerful machine start to index and flood-print.

So, for now guys, that would be all. I know, it is to early for overall review, but so far-so good. I will keep this thread updated. At the end, I will drop some of our recent works for you to check.

Have a nice day and have those presses spinnin'!

srimonogramming · February 28th, 2012, 07:08 PM

Good deal, awesome that everything has worked out like you had expected. Love that spare parts kit.

srimonogramming · February 28th, 2012, 07:11 PM

What type of production numbers can you get with that dryer with 2 presses running? Can you squeeze 1000/hr with both presses running on it? You definitely need to upgrade to at least a 60", 12' of some kind. Might I recommend the sprint international, exceeded my expectations and they were high.

Evo · February 28th, 2012, 07:20 PM

Great review.

I'd still hesitate to buy one even if it was the last press on earth, but nice review all the same.

pushing ink · February 28th, 2012, 07:29 PM

You are going to get amazing service, He can't screw you over too. I wonder if this is where my 80k went. LOL I have an Interchange new dryer I will sell you, it's a 76".

Binkspot · February 28th, 2012, 07:32 PM

Best of luck with it, nice clean shop but you will surely need a bigger dryer. No doubt it is a goo machine.

Not to take away from the post but I would hope the delivery was quick, in Europe correct?

I see you also have the front screen holder mod which will give you an extra 3" of stroke length over the existing machines. Only been saying that for a year now.

I do see a few more things but no biggies.

arttex · February 28th, 2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srimonogramming

What type of production numbers can you get with that dryer with 2 presses running? Can you squeeze 1000/hr with both presses running on it? You definitely need to upgrade to at least a 60", 12' of some kind. Might I recommend the sprint international, exceeded my expectations and they were high.

Well Alan, we were lucky with image area on these specific t-shirts. Just a small (5"x3") print on the back just under the neck and also not a big one on the front. So, the shirts were folded before going to the dryer. We did something like 360 pcs on the "Sportsman" and about 450 on "Prism" (it was the first job, the guys just started learning the machine)

I know, Sprint International 60" would be a great dryer, I will check the price.

GraphicDisorder · February 28th, 2012, 07:39 PM

Great review. Let's update it later in life?

Is this the first one to actually get their spare parts kit? Curious. I know several us customers that don't have theirs still. Maybe never will get em.

arttex · February 28th, 2012, 08:21 PM

Thanks, evo. Printex Prism was at this moment simply the best deal for me. I checked with some Prism owners in Europe before buying and opinions were good. I don't know about the feedbacks for Hurricane and other models, I haven't checked, but I can understand Mike's and Jeff's situation. I also checked with some other manufacturers, some were willing to make sale, some were not so interested, I would say.

Jeff, this one is not yours, it's 12/14.

As for the dryer, what would be the price?

Brian, the press was delivered in exactly 47 days after down payment. Yes, I'm in Europe, and I think you people should work something out there regarding all that fuss, it's a pity, these guys in Poland and I would say this brand too, they both deserves better. Yep, you noticed that screen holder mod, useful addition.

Brandt, I will update for sure. Regarding the spare parts kit, as far as I know, all of the Prism owners in Europe I've checked, got one. Not sure about the lower cost presses, though.

pushing ink · February 28th, 2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arttex

Thanks, evo. Printex Prism was at this moment simply the best deal for me. I checked with some Prism owners in Europe before buying and opinions were good. I don't know about the feedbacks for Hurricane and other models, I haven't checked, but I can understand Mike's and Jeff's situation. I also checked with some other manufacturers, some were willing to make sale, some were not so interested, I would say.

Jeff, this one is not yours, it's 12/14.

As for the dryer, what would be the price?

Brian, the press was delivered in exactly 47 days after down payment. Yes, I'm in Europe, and I think you people should work something out there regarding all that fuss, it's a pity, these guys in Poland and I would say this brand too, they both deserves better. Yep, you noticed that screen holder mod, useful addition.

Brandt, I will update for sure. Regarding the spare parts kit, as far as I know, all of the Prism owners in Europe I've checked, got one. Not sure about the lower cost presses, though.

25k for the dryer.