Graphics Print and Sign hosted a business exposition from the 5th to the 7th of October 2021 at Emperors Palace Convention Centre.
In attendance were various businesses in the graphics, print, and sign trades. Shawn Levie’s business offers a print-on-demand service, which implies that customers can buy their t-shirt/hoodie, have it printed, and then shipped to them. “Personalized Image Printers is the first South African print-on-demand service, people can have their brands made online,” Levie told Ekurhuleni News.
Personalized Image Printers are expanding their product range they have added candles and personalised face masks amongst their t-shirts, hoodies, blankets, cushions, towels, etc. Kevin McEwan believes that the business has a bigger customer base than it did in 2006 when the business was first established. “I believe that the exposition is good exposure for every business, a lot of people from the East Rand showed up and I think this is good for the Ekurhuleni area,” McEwan expressed.
Enrico Marusi from Sino Hitec Trading had his booth displayed with laptop bags and caps with LED screens on the front, which are powered by power banks. Each bag has a WiFi code that allows the user to connect to it via an application (app) that comes with an instruction sheet. Once connected the user can communicate with the bag and send images, gifts, and animations. The cap looks like a normal cap, which one can wear during the day. In the evening the cap can be switched on and linked via Bluetooth which activates wording and speeches to appear on the LED screen of the cap. “The laptop bags and caps have originated from China. The South African market has not seen much of these products so we are trying to promote these bags and caps on our website,” Marusi explained.
Stixo Signage Suppliers offers everything that has to do with signage, on any type of vinyls, gazebos, backdrop frames, etc. “We have competitive prices and we always aim to give our clients the best service possible,” Cassie Chikwiri announced. Cassie believes that the exposition is a great way of marketing their business as it allows them to introduce their products to a broad spectrum of clients. Chikwiri feels the exposition was a major success because her team managed to tap into the market they were looking for.
Riso has a cold liquid process that runs around sixty (60) images per minute, depending on the product. Riso’s printing machine is perfect for the school markets because the papers it produces are waterproof. Hermanus Fryza shared that the company performed a study and found that some learners in school learn better when their textbooks are presented with colour. “I think our product is unique because it’s a green biodegradable product. Our ink is made from rice oils so it’s safe to use,” Fryza explained. Riso believes in building relations with their clients and being honest with them about their products as that saves the company and employees time rather than being untruthful. “Our product cannot print on glass paper but then again, it’s not meant to take over the market it’s meant to be a compliment to the market,” Hermanus concluded.
By Karabo Lekgwate
