Every answer here comes from the people who run the presses. If your job doesn’t fit the pattern, say so and we’ll tell you straight whether we’re the right printer for it.
01Screen printing
What does screen printing achieve that digital doesn’t?
Spot colour, vibrancy and a cosmetic finish that is superior to digital. Screen-printed colour sits denser on the substrate, so it reads well at a distance and photographs better — which matters on signage, packaging and anything a customer sees from across a room.
Can you print a UV-resistant colour?
Yes. UV-resistant screen ink pigments carry the highest level of UV tolerance available to us, and we can layer a UV filter clear ink over the top to increase outdoor life further. This is the main reason screen printing is our recommendation for anything that lives outside in New Zealand weather.
Is there a minimum quantity that makes screen printing worthwhile?
There is a cut-off point where the screen setup becomes too expensive to justify for a low count. We do not publish a hard number because it moves with the number of colours and the substrate — send us the job and we will tell you which side of the line it falls on, and quote you digital instead if that is cheaper for you.
Is screen printing better for single-colour or multi-colour work?
It is multi-functional — one to four colours is not the issue. The decision comes down to price and delivery timeframes rather than the colour count itself.
Do you print business cards?
Not produced here. We do print Hi-Build spot gloss onto cards for other printers — so if your card printer needs a raised gloss finish applied, that part we can do.
What if my order mixes a large run with a few one-offs?
We split it by volume — the large repeat items go on the screen press, the small or one-off items run digitally. The team recommends the most cost-effective split rather than forcing the whole order down one process.
02Digital printing
What is the advantage of wide format digital printing?
It is cost effective for smaller runs. There are no plates to make, so the pre-press cost is low, and colour is matched on the spot from your supplied file rather than being locked in at setup.
Can you print high-resolution artwork?
Yes. We take pride in replicating the supplied file in both colour and detail — our digital printers are set up to hold sharp images at large format sizes.
Is digital faster than screen printing?
For short runs, yes — there is no screen or plate setup step to work through first. At volume the position reverses and screen printing gives you the better value.
What file format should I send?
A high-resolution, print-ready file. If you are not sure what that means for your job, send what you have — the team will advise on resolution, bleed and colour mode before anything goes to print.
Can you match an exact brand colour?
Colour is matched on the spot from your file. If you have an exact brand colour that has to be held, mention it at quote stage so we can plan for it rather than discover it on press.
03Signage
Do you make outdoor building signage?
Yes — ACM and aluminium composite panels, shopfront window graphics, hoarding graphics and floor decals.
Do you do illuminated or 3D letter signage?
No. We print signage — we do not make illuminated or built-up 3D letter signage, light boxes or neon, and we do not do full vehicle wraps. If that is what your job needs, we will say so early rather than waste your time.
Is “window signage” the same as “window graphics”?
Same service, two names. It covers one-way vision film, short-term promotional graphics, cut-to-shape decals and window frosting.
Short-term promotion or permanent signage — what should I use?
Corflute or a printed banner for short-term promotion; ACM or acrylic for anything meant to stay up. Tell us how long it needs to last and we will point you at the right material.
04Working with us
Do you deliver outside Auckland?
We are based in East Tāmaki and provide printing services not just in Auckland but across New Zealand. Include the delivery address with your job and we will cost it in with the quote.
How quickly can you turn around a job?
It depends on the process and the size of the run — digital is faster for short runs because there is no plate setup step. Tell us your deadline when you send the job through and we will confirm whether it is achievable before you commit.
Who will I actually deal with?
The people who run the job. Southan Print is a family business led by Director and Owner/Operator Dylan Southan, with Neil Fox running the screen department and Shirley Nuestro running digital — not a call centre passing your job down a chain.
Do you work with agencies and businesses with regular print requirements?
Yes — advertising and marketing agencies, retail shops and real estate companies with continuous printing requirements are exactly where screen printing pays off. Whether you are a classic Kiwi small business building a brand or an established company with regular work, our aim is to be your printing partner rather than a one-off supplier.