Prepared for production, not just for viewing
Artwork setup is where rough ideas become workable files. If you send us a logo, typed text, a photo or an old sign to copy, we check the material so it can be printed, cut or engraved without guesswork. Our team in Boksburg handles the practical side of sign artwork for shops, offices, fleets, site boards and clothing jobs across Ekurhuleni and greater Gauteng.
We do not overcomplicate the process. We clean up low-resolution images where possible, set correct proportions, match colours as closely as the production method allows, and make sure lettering is readable at the size it will be produced. For cut vinyl, we prepare single-colour and multi-colour artwork with closed paths and proper spacing. For printed boards and garments, we check bleed, margins and safe areas so the final item lands as intended, not 5 mm off or with text too close to the edge.
- Logo cleanup and redraws for print or vinyl cutting
- Text layout for signs, labels, name plates and safety boards
- Colour separation for silkscreen printing
- Resize checks for vehicle panels, boards and garment prints
What we need from you before setup begins
Good artwork starts with a few simple details. If you can send us a high-resolution logo, the wording you want, the size of the finished item and where it will be fitted, we can move much faster. If you only have a screenshot or a business card, we can still work from that in many cases, but the clean-up time may be longer and the result depends on the source quality.
Please also tell us whether the job is for indoor or outdoor use, because that changes the material choice and the way we prepare the artwork. A board for a Kempton Park street frontage, for example, has different needs to a T-shirt run for a school event in Germiston. In the East Rand, weather and dust matter too, and outdoor signs must be prepared with the end use in mind from the start.
- Logo file, even if it is in a basic format
- Exact wording, spelling and any legal names required
- Finished size in millimetres or metres
- Colour preferences and where the item will be used
How the setup process works
Once we have your information, our design coordinator prepares the layout and checks the file for production. Where needed, we convert text to outlines, separate colours for screen printing, and set cut paths for vinyl. If a logo is blurry, we can redraw it in a cleaner format rather than trying to force a poor file into production. That saves time later and avoids a muddy finish.
After setup, we send the prepared artwork for approval before manufacture starts. This step matters because it is the last chance to confirm spelling, phone numbers, business names and layout. Once approved, the file goes straight to the correct production stage whether that is sign manufacture, silkscreen printing, vehicle fitment or board mounting. Our workshop in Boksburg keeps the process practical and orderly, with each job moving through the right hands.
- Receive and review supplied artwork
- Clean up, redraw or rebuild as needed
- Set dimensions, margins and production marks
- Send for approval before production starts
File standards for signs, vinyl and print
Different products need different setup rules. For cut vinyl lettering, we work from vector artwork where curves and corners stay sharp at full size. For printed signs, we prepare files at the correct resolution for the final size, so a 1.2 metre board does not come out soft or pixelated. For silkscreen printing on T-shirts, overalls, ribbons and corporate gifts, we separate colours and check how many print passes the design will need.
We also keep practical site conditions in mind. A sign fitted in a windy spot in Boksburg or on a boundary wall in Alberton may need clearer spacing and stronger contrast than an indoor office panel. If the artwork will be used on a vehicle, we allow for curves, handles and door gaps so the message remains readable after fitment. Small details like this prevent costly changes later and keep the job tidy.
- Vector files for vinyl cutting and clean scaling
- Print files checked for resolution and bleed
- Vehicle artwork set out around panel breaks
- Colour layouts matched to the chosen production method
Turnaround times and urgent jobs
Turnaround depends on how complete the supplied artwork is and how complex the job may be. Simple text-only layouts can often be prepared quickly, while a redraw, logo rebuild or multi-colour garment job takes longer. If you need the work for a site opening, handover or promotion, tell us upfront so we can schedule it properly.
For local clients in Boksburg, Benoni, Germiston, Kempton Park and nearby areas, we often manage faster turnarounds because we can coordinate approvals and production without delay. When the order is larger, or when several items must match across branches, we allow enough time for checking and amendments. It is better to spend an extra hour on artwork than to remake ten boards because a number was wrong, that's just common sense.
- Simple text layouts: often same day or next working day
- Logo cleanup and redraws: depends on source quality
- Multi-item brand sets: allow extra time for consistency
- Urgent jobs: available by prior arrangement and workload
Pricing approach and repeat maintenance
Artwork setup is priced according to the time needed, not a one-size-fits-all guess. A small text change or simple resize is usually quicker than rebuilding a faded logo from an old photo, so the cost follows the amount of work involved. If the same artwork is used again later for another board, vehicle or garment run, we keep the file on record for future use, which saves setup time on repeat orders.
For maintenance, we recommend checking outdoor signage every 6 to 12 months, especially in areas with strong sun, dust, or coastal-style humidity effects that can still reach parts of Gauteng through weather changes. Vinyl edges, faded print areas and loose fixings should be dealt with early. If a sign is being updated after a tenant change or a brand refresh, we can also prepare the revised artwork for removal, replacement or refit, so the work stays neat and consistent.
- Quoted according to complexity and turnaround required
- Repeat files are easier and quicker to reuse
- Outdoor signs should be inspected every 6 to 12 months
- We can prepare artwork for updates, removals and refits
Key facts
| Artwork formats | Vector redraws, print-ready layouts, cut vinyl files and separated colour artwork |
|---|---|
| Recommended input | Logo file, wording, finished size, colour preference and intended use |
| Typical sizing tolerance | Set to the final production size with margins and safe areas checked |
| Print suitability | Prepared for signs, boards, vehicle panels, garments and small promotional items |
| Approval stage | Client sign-off before manufacture starts |
| Service area | Boksburg, Ekurhuleni and greater Gauteng |
| Maintenance interval | Inspect outdoor signs every 6 to 12 months |
