How to Choose Air Compressors for Screen Printing Equipment

A number of screen printing companies are converting over to machines that require dry air, making your selection of air compressor all the more important. 

When buying a new, pneumatic screen printing machine or related equipment, remember to ask the manufacturer or supplier for the required cubic feet per minute (CFM) that is needed to run the equipment. Normally, the compressor sizing is based on the number of stations and screen printing machines can have more than a dozen. 

There's a good rule of thumb with stations — the more a machine has, the larger air demand or supply it will require. 

Typically, buyers will invest in the total air system that incorporates the compressor, tank, and dryer. These compressor systems are compact and quiet, making them great for installations near work stations. Here are some questions you should remember to ask when specifying a new compressor from your screen printer:

• How much air (CFM) is required?
• What pressure (PSI) is needed?
• Know your general requirements*
• Ensure you have between 24 and 36 inches around the compressor for maintenance

*The power you have access to in your warehouse could limit the compressor size. For example, if you only have a 1-phase, the largest single-phase compressor you could safely install is 7.5 horsepower (20 to 30 CFM). 

If you have an existing screen printer with the compressor, which does not include a dryer, we recommend installing a new air dryer after the compressor so you can dry the entire air system instead of one connection. If you add new air lines and want that section to be dry it's cheaper to have one dryer rather than several. 

Still have lingering questions? Please contact our experienced air compressor experts by calling 866-778-6572 or email info@compressorworld.com