Automatic Screen Printing Presses for Small to Large Shops

Manual screen printing has its limits when you start turning down large orders or struggle to keep registration tight as volumes grow. Lawson’s automatic screen printing presses help small, midsize, and high-volume shops upgrade from manual t‑shirt presses to industrial automation without sacrificing print quality. From the space‑saving Mini-Max automatic screen printing press—designed to fit through a standard 36‑inch door—to the high‑speed Copperhead Series for 24/7 production, our auto presses let a single operator outperform a manual crew by up to 5x while reducing labor costs and boosting consistency.

1. Automatic Press for Small Shops: Mini-Max

For shops transitioning from manual, the Mini-Max Automatic Press is the industry standard. It is the only professional automatic press designed to fit through a standard 36-inch door, meaning you can bring industrial speed into a home or basement shop without expensive renovations.

This compact automatic t‑shirt press is ideal for home, basement, and small retail shops that need professional output without industrial space.

2. High-Speed Automatic Presses for Commercial Production

For high-volume retail and contract printing, the Mini-Trooper and Workhorse Sabre offer advanced features like electric indexing and AC drive heads. These machines are built for 24/7 operation, providing the quiet, smooth, and lightning-fast cycles required for 500+ prints per hour.

For contract printers and large retail operations, these automatic screen printing machines deliver quiet, smooth cycles and 500+ prints per hour with advanced electric indexing and AC drive heads.

3. Industrial Automation: Copperhead Automatic Screen Presses

As a proud partner of DCC, we offer the Copperhead Flex Plus and Copperhead Speedmaster. These machines represent the cutting edge of screen printing technology, featuring intuitive touch-screen interfaces and rapid-set-up systems that slash your "downtime" between jobs.

The Copperhead Flex Plus, Speedmaster, and related models offer intuitive touch‑screen controls, rapid setup, and servo‑driven indexing for industrial textile production.

Got questions? Need a specific custom build? Contact us!

Why Choose Lawson Automation?

  • Made in the USA: Lawson‑branded automatic presses are engineered and supported in St. Louis, Missouri, with service teams based in Atlanta and satellite offices across Phoenix, Orlando, and Des Moines. This gives U.S. screen print shops local support for installation, training, and repairs.
  • Turn‑Key Setup: We don’t just ship a crate. Lawson provides in‑person and virtual classes along with dedicated technical support so shops in cities like St. Louis, Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, and Des Moines can get their automatic t‑shirt presses installed, dialed in, and producing quickly.
  • Flexible Growth: With our financing programs, shops moving from manual presses to automation can spread out their investment. Many customers see their new automatic screen printing machine “pay for itself” through increased monthly production capacity and larger contract orders.

Scalable Automation for Growing Print Shops

Transitioning from manual to automatic printing is the most effective way to increase your shop's profitability. Lawson’s line of automatic presses, including the Mini-Max and the Mini-Trooper, are designed to provide professional-grade consistency with a smaller footprint. Whether you are looking for the precision of the Workhorse Sabre or the high-speed output of the Copperhead Series, Lawson provides the technology and 24/7 support to help you scale.


Nationwide automatic press sales & service

Lawson Screen & Digital supports automatic screen printing presses for apparel decorators across the United States—from local t‑shirt shops and schools in the Midwest to retail brands and contract printers on the East and West Coasts. Our St. Louis HQ and Atlanta office coordinate installation, training, and ongoing service for customers nationwide.

Automatic Screen Printing: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best automatic screen printing press for a small shop?

The Mini-Max Automatic Press is our most popular choice for space-constrained shops. It is designed to fit through a standard 36-inch door while providing the high-speed production and consistency of a full-sized industrial machine.

How much faster is an automatic press compared to manual printing?

An operator on an automatic press like the Mini-Trooper can typically print 400–500 shirts per hour, whereas a manual printer averages 50–100. This 5x increase in speed significantly lowers your cost-per-print and allows you to take on much larger contracts.

Do I need special power or air requirements for an automatic press?

Requirements vary by model. Some of our "all-electric" heads require standard power, while others require a dedicated air compressor to run the pneumatic components. For example, the Workhorse Sabre features electric indexing for smooth, quiet operation. We provide full facility requirement guides prior to installation.

Does Lawson provide training for new automatic press owners?

Yes. Every Lawson automatic press purchase includes professional training. We ensure your team understands the Mini-Printer M-Series or any other model you choose, covering everything from setup and registration to maintenance and troubleshooting.

Can I finance an automatic screen printing machine?

Absolutely. We offer flexible Financing Options to help businesses transition from manual to automatic production without a massive upfront capital expenditure. This allows the machine to "pay for itself" through increased monthly production.

Do you install automatic screen printing presses outside of Missouri and Georgia?

Yes. Lawson provides automatic press sales, installation, and training for screen print shops across the United States. Our St. Louis, MO headquarters and Atlanta, GA office coordinate service for customers in major markets—from Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix to Orlando and Des Moines—so your shop can automate regardless of location.

Is an automatic screen printing machine worth it for a small shop?

Many small and midsize shops in cities like St. Louis and Atlanta justify an automatic press by upgrading from short, manual runs to larger contract jobs. An operator on an automatic press such as the Mini‑Trooper can typically produce 400–500 shirts per hour versus 50–100 on a manual press, which lowers your cost‑per‑print and opens the door to profitable high‑volume orders.

How do I know which automatic press is right for my region and customer base?

If you primarily serve local schools, sports teams, and small businesses, a compact automatic screen printing press like the Mini‑Max or Trooper Express may be ideal. Shops handling regional or national retail work often choose high‑speed models like the Workhorse Sabre or Copperhead Series to keep up with industrial volumes. Our team can review your space, regional demand, and budget to recommend the best fit.