The AMD550 is a digital screen plate-making machine (digital screen maker) that produces silk-screen printing plates directly from a computer. It is designed to simplify screen production for T-shirts, cups, bags and other screen-printing applications without requiring a darkroom or chemical processing.
The machine prints the artwork digitally onto the screen using a dry-heat process. Artwork is sent from a computer directly to the AMD550, which creates the stencil on the mesh—no exposure units, emulsions, film positives, or wet processing are required.
Key benefits are: no darkroom or chemical processing, compact desktop footprint, fast plate making (suitable for short runs and test production), easy operation so unskilled staff can produce screens, and environmentally friendly operation with low power consumption and no solvents or wastewater.
The AMD550 supports a print width of up to 303 mm and produces images at up to 300 dpi, providing good detail for small- to medium-format screens.
Use high-quality vector or raster artwork (common formats such as AI, PDF, EPS, PNG, TIFF, JPEG). For best results with halftones and fine detail, supply raster images at 300 dpi at the final output size and convert colors/separations according to your screen-printing workflow.
No. The AMD550 creates screen stencils (plates). Those screens are then mounted on a conventional screen-printing press to print onto T-shirts, cups, bags or other substrates.
You need standard screen-printing frames and mesh (screens). There are no emulsions, chemical developers, or film positives required. Check with your supplier for any recommended mesh types or pre-treated screens compatible with the unit.
The AMD550 is intended for standard polyester screen meshes used in textile and small-format printing. Exact compatible mesh counts or tensions can vary—refer to the machine manual or vendor guidance for recommended mesh counts for halftones, detail, and ink types.
Screen production with the AMD550 is significantly faster than traditional exposure-based workflows—what could take hours in a darkroom (preparation, exposure, washout, drying) can be done in minutes using the AMD550 digital dry-heat process, making it ideal for short runs, sampling and quick turnarounds.
The machine is compact and designed to sit on a desktop or small workbench—no darkroom or large processing tables are needed. It requires a stable surface, standard electrical supply, and a computer connection. Consult the manual for exact power, dimensions and ventilation recommendations.
Operation is intended to be simple—artwork is imported from a computer and the screen is produced directly. Basic computer and screen-printing knowledge is helpful, but even non-skilled workers can produce screens after brief training. Vendor training or the supplied manual is recommended for best results.
Regular maintenance typically includes keeping the machine and print area dust-free, following any print-head or thermal module cleaning procedures in the manual, checking electrical and data connections, and using recommended replacement parts. Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for optimal performance.
Yes. The AMD550 uses a dry-heat screen-making process that eliminates emulsions, chemical developers, solvents and wastewater. It consumes relatively low power and reduces hazardous waste associated with traditional screen exposure methods. Follow standard electrical and safety procedures as described in the user manual.
Common causes include low image resolution, incorrect DPI settings, unsuitable mesh count or tension, or a dirty/incorrectly prepared screen. Verify your artwork is 300 dpi at output size, use recommended mesh counts, ensure the screen is clean and properly tensioned, and consult the troubleshooting section of the manual or vendor support for calibration steps.
Warranty terms, technical support and spare parts availability vary by supplier and region. Contact your vendor or the manufacturer for details on warranty length, service agreements, spare part kits and available training or installation support.
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