Abstract: An automated pallet and garment retaining frame for screen printing apparatus including a pallet mounted on a supporting base and provided with a planar, horizontally extending printing surface for receiving a layer of material to be printed. The retaining frame includes a central opening and is mounted for pivotal movement to the supporting base about a first hinge disposed rearwardly of said pallet relative to an opposing front end adapted to load the garment for printing. The rear hinge is also movably mounted in a cam slot for travel in a vertical and horizontal direction as the pallet is caused to move by a piston and cylinder assembly located between the rear hinge point and the rear end of the retaining frame. The forward end of the retaining frame is adapted to engage the forward end of the pallet to form a second hinge about which the retaining frame rotates as it is caused to move between an open fully raised position and a closed position retaining the garment in taut condition on the pallet.