Time is money—and consistency is key. As labor costs rise and skilled workers become harder to find, automation has stepped in as the ultimate game-changer for screen printers. From coating and exposure to reclaiming screens, automation equipment is transforming the way print shops operate, streamlining production and enhancing the quality of prints. Here’s how automation is helping screen printing businesses save time, improve quality, and stay ahead of the competition.
Why Automation Is A Must-Have For Screen Printing
Screen printing is a process that thrives on precision. Even the smallest inconsistency in screen preparation can lead to major issues when you’re on the press. Historically, much of the pre-press work—like coating screens, exposing designs, and cleaning screens—has been done manually. But manual processes are prone to human error, not to mention time-consuming. Enter automation equipment, which eliminates the guesswork and variability, ensuring consistent, high-quality results every time.
Automating Screen Coating: Precision Without The Effort
Let’s start with one of the most crucial steps in screen printing—coating screens with emulsion. When done manually, coating screens can be tricky, as every person’s technique varies. Inconsistent emulsion thickness leads to poor exposure and registration issues on the press, which means more time wasted on fixing mistakes.
Automation equipment solves this problem by ensuring a uniform coat of emulsion on every screen, every time. Automatic screen coaters can coat dozens of screens per hour with unmatched precision. The result? Fewer re-dos, less waste, and more consistent prints. Plus, you save your team from one of the more repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on the creative and technical parts of the job.
Exposure Just Got Smarter
Exposure is another critical step that can make or break a screen print job. Aligning films and ensuring proper exposure used to be an art form—one prone to mistakes. With advancements in automation, the process has become much more efficient. Computer-to-Screen (CTS) and Laser-to-Screen (LTS) technologies now allow screen printers to digitally expose screens with perfect alignment every time.
By automating this step, you not only reduce the time spent on exposure but also minimize errors. Screens exposed using automation equipment come out with razor-sharp details and perfect registration, saving you from costly setup delays on the press.
Making Screen Washout a Breeze
Ask any screen printer about their least favorite task, and “screen washout” will probably be near the top of the list. Manual washouts are messy and time-consuming, not to mention prone to damaging screens if not done correctly. But with automated washout systems, this tedious task is made much easier.
Automated washout booths handle the entire process for you, ensuring screens are cleaned evenly and consistently. This not only protects your screens from accidental damage but also speeds up your overall production workflow. And let’s be honest—who wouldn’t want to automate one of the dirtiest parts of screen printing?
Reclaiming Screens Without The Hassle
Screen reclamation is arguably the most dreaded task in any print shop. Removing ink, emulsion, and residue to prepare screens for reuse is a dirty job, but someone has to do it. Luckily, automation has a solution for that too. Automated reclaim systems streamline the process, saving time and reducing the need for manual labor.
These machines can handle the entire reclamation process, from ink removal to degreasing, allowing your team to focus on more important tasks. Not only do they reduce the risk of damaging screens, but they also cut down on chemical usage and make the entire process faster and more efficient.

DecoNetwork Powers Screen Printing Automation For Businesses
When it comes to automation, it’s not just about the equipment—having the right software is essential to tie everything together. DecoNetwork is the all-in-one business management solution designed specifically for screen printing and garment decoration shops. With DecoNetwork, you can streamline your entire workflow, from managing quotes and orders to organizing production schedules, all while integrating with your automated equipment.
DecoNetwork’s platform allows you to automate key areas of your business, including real-time order tracking, artwork approvals, and supplier integrations. Whether you’re running multiple presses or automating pre-press tasks, DecoNetwork helps screen printing shops optimize every step of the process. By eliminating manual tasks and centralizing your operations, DecoNetwork empowers you to focus on growing your business while keeping everything running smoothly in the background.
Request a free DecoNetwork demo to learn more.
The Big Picture: Automation Helps Print Shops Scale
At the end of the day, automation equipment is more than just a tool for improving specific steps in the screen printing process—it’s a way to scale your business. Whether you’re a small shop looking to reduce labor costs or a large operation aiming to increase output, automation helps you work smarter, not harder.
By investing in automation equipment, you’re ensuring that your screens are consistently prepared to the highest standard, reducing errors on the press and minimizing downtime. This allows you to take on more jobs, produce better-quality prints, and ultimately grow your business.
The Takeaway
Automation is revolutionizing the screen printing industry by enhancing efficiency, reducing labor costs, and improving print quality. From Saati’s advanced screen coating and exposure systems to automated washout and reclamation equipment, automation ensures consistent, high-quality results at every step of the process. For screen printers looking to scale their operations and stay competitive, investing in Saati’s automation solutions is essential to streamline workflows and boost productivity.
Source: Automation Equipment Streamlines Screen Printing – Let’s Get Printing