What the Starter Frame Kit includes
The Starter Frame Kit is built for beginners who want to start printing without guessing which frame sizes to buy first. It gives you a balanced mix of light aluminium frames and screen options that suit common garment decoration work, from one-colour tests to small repeat orders. The frames are made for clean mesh tension, easy handling and regular workshop use, so you can keep printing with less fuss and fewer setup problems.
Each kit is intended for practical day-to-day work, not just display. If you are learning on cotton tees, hoodies, tote bags or workwear, the kit gives you a base set that handles most starter jobs. You can use it for manual printing or set it up for a small press, depending on your method and available space.
- Light aluminium frame construction for easier handling
- Starter mix of common print sizes for garment work
- Suitable for new mesh stretching and restretching
- Good for sample runs, short batches and training use
Sizes and options for different print jobs
ScreenFrame supplies starter kits in sizes that cover the kinds of jobs most new printers take on first. You may want a smaller frame for logos and chest prints, a medium frame for general artwork, and a larger one for full front designs or oversized graphics. That mix helps you avoid buying only one size and then getting stuck when a job changes.
We can also prepare custom size stretching if your press, exposure unit or artwork setup needs something specific. If you already have frames and only need new mesh fitted, we can restretch existing frames and check the frame condition at the same time. For printers in windy coastal areas such as Cape Town or Gqeberha, a well tensioned screen makes a real difference when you are working through humidity changes and a hot workshop floor.
- Small sizes for chest logos and label prints
- Mid sizes for general garment decoration
- Large sizes for front prints and bigger artwork
- Custom sizing available for special setups
Where the kit suits best
This starter bundle suits home printers, small workshops and first-time garment businesses that need dependable frames without overbuying. It is also useful for art students, side-hustle printers and anyone setting up a small production corner in a garage, spare room or shared workshop. If your work is mostly local orders in places like Maitland, Bellville, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria or Gqeberha, the kit gives you a practical starting point.
The kit is especially useful when you are still learning ink flow, flood speed and squeegee pressure because frame consistency helps remove one variable from the job. A stable frame also makes it easier to compare different mesh counts and artwork types. That matters when you are building a repeatable process, not just printing one shirt here and there.
It suits garment printers who want a clear path from sample work to small production runs. If you are taking orders for club shirts, staff tees, school events or local brand merch, the kit gives you a tidy base to work from and it is easy to grow your frame set later as orders increase.
Installation, setup and workshop requirements
The Starter Frame Kit does not need power or gas to install. The frames arrive ready for stretching or use after mesh fitting, and the setup only needs a clean working area, basic handling care and proper drying time if adhesive is used. For a new printer, that makes the kit easier to work with than complicated equipment that needs extra services or special fittings.
If you are stretching mesh yourself, make sure your bench is level and clean. Dust, oil and moisture can affect adhesion and tension. In coastal areas, especially near the Cape, it helps to store frames away from damp walls and open workshop doors. A dry room gives you better results and less rework. If you are running load-shedding schedules, plan stretching and drying times so you dont leave adhesive curing in a stop-start routine.
- No electrical connection required
- No gas connection required
- Works in a small workshop, garage or print room
- Best used on a clean, level surface with good ventilation
Care, cleaning and longer screen life
Good screen care helps the starter kit last longer and keeps your prints cleaner. After each run, remove ink properly and clean the frame edges so dried residue does not build up. If you leave ink on the frame for too long, it becomes harder to strip later and can cause poor mesh contact on the next job. A quick wash after use saves time and avoids extra cleaning later, which is usually where small shops lose hours.
We also recommend regular tension checks, especially if you print often or move screens between jobs. Changes in temperature and humidity can affect tension over time. If a screen starts dragging or making uneven prints, it may need inspection, cleaning or restretching. Our team can help with frame inspections, adhesive application, mesh removal and screen care advice so you can keep the kit in working order.
For printers working in busy areas like Johannesburg or Durban, turnaround matters too. A damaged screen can hold up an order and push back your print schedule. Keeping a spare frame from the kit ready for the next job gives you a simple backup when orders stack up.
What to check before you order
Before ordering the Starter Frame Kit, check the print sizes you use most often, the type of press or table you work with, and whether you need standard or custom dimensions. It also helps to know the mesh count you want for your common inks and artwork detail. If you are unsure, send through your job details on the enquiry form and we can help you choose a sensible mix.
You should also confirm how the kit will reach you. We offer pickup and return from Maitland as well as deliveries into Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria and Gqeberha. For smaller orders, Bellville collections and the Paarl supply route may suit you better. If you are ordering more than one kit or adding stretch services, ask about bulk screen orders and urgent turnarounds so your schedule stays on track.
- Check your most common artwork sizes
- Confirm your press or table opening size
- Choose mesh counts for your ink and detail level
- Decide if you need collection, delivery or pickup and return
Why new printers choose ScreenFrame
ScreenFrame is based in Maitland, Cape Town and works with garment printers across South Africa who need reliable frames and straight answers. Our workshop team handles new screen stretching, restretch existing frames, mesh removal, frame cleaning and custom size stretching. That means the Starter Frame Kit is not just a box of parts, it is part of a working print service backed by people who deal with screens every day.
We focus on practical support for printers who want to get started properly. Mandla Petersen leads the business with the production and workshop team, while our sales and logistics people help make ordering and delivery straightforward. If you are building a small print setup in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria or Gqeberha, the starter kit gives you a solid base and room to grow.
When you are ready, we can also advise on screen care, inspections and follow-up stretching so your starter kit keeps earning its place in the workshop. It is a straightforward way to begin with good materials, and that usually saves money down the line.
Key facts
| Product type | Starter bundle of aluminium screen-printing frames |
|---|---|
| Frame material | Light aluminium |
| Use | Garment printing, sample runs, small batches and training |
| Support services | New screen stretching, restretching, cleaning, inspections and adhesive application |
| Installation needs | No power or gas required |
| Supply areas | Maitland, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, Gqeberha, Bellville and Paarl routes |
