How a Carousel Screen Printing Press Works

Rotary Platen System

Each platen holds a garment in place while rotating through different stations. This allows for continuous printing without stopping between colours.

Multiple Print Heads

Each print head corresponds to a colour in the design. As the carousel rotates, ink is applied layer by layer.

Flash and Cure Stations

Carousels often include flash dryers between print stations to partially cure inks before the next colour is applied.

Types of Carousel Presses

Manual Carousel Press

Operated by hand, these presses are common in small to medium Australian print shops. They offer flexibility and lower upfront costs.

Automatic Carousel Press

Automatic carousels use motors and sensors to control rotation, pressure, and timing, enabling faster production and consistent results.

Hybrid Systems

Some presses combine manual loading with automated printing features to balance efficiency and control.

Key Benefits of Using a Carousel Press

High Production Efficiency

Carousels are designed for bulk printing, making them ideal for large orders and repeat jobs.

Consistent Print Registration

Fixed platens and print heads allow for accurate alignment across multiple colours.

Scalability

Carousel presses can handle simple one-colour prints as well as complex multi-colour designs.

Labour Efficiency

Automatic carousels reduce operator fatigue and improve output per hour.

Printing Methods and Inks Used on Carousels

Plastisol Ink Printing

Plastisol inks are commonly used on carousel presses due to their durability and ease of curing.

Water-Based and Discharge Inks

With proper setup, carousels can also handle water-based and discharge inks for softer print finishes.

Specialty Inks

Metallics, puff inks, and high-density inks are often applied using carousel systems.

Garment Compatibility

T-Shirts and Singlets

Flat garments are ideal for carousel printing, ensuring smooth ink application.

Hoodies and Sweatshirts

With suitable platens, thicker garments can also be printed efficiently.

Workwear and Uniforms

Carousels support consistent branding across large uniform orders.

Practical Considerations in Australian Print Shops

Floor Space Requirements

Carousel presses require adequate workshop space, especially automatic models.

Setup and Changeover Time

While efficient for bulk runs, carousels are less suitable for small one-off jobs due to setup time.

Operator Skill

Proper training is essential to achieve accurate registration and ink control.

Carousel vs Other Printing Setups

Compared to Flatbed Presses

Carousels offer higher throughput and multi-colour capability, while flatbeds suit short runs.

Compared to Digital Printing

Carousels excel in bulk production, whereas digital printing suits short runs and variable designs.

The Role of Carousels in Custom Apparel Printing

Carousel screen printing presses are central to large-scale garment printing operations in Australia. Their ability to deliver consistent, high-quality prints at speed makes them essential for businesses handling bulk orders, branded uniforms, and promotional apparel. When set up correctly, a carousel enables efficient production without compromising print quality or durability.