2008: a Paarl start with practical printing
Catprints and Signs opened its doors in 2008 in Paarl, serving businesses that needed printed material done properly and on time. The first jobs were the kind that keep a trade shop busy: business cards, flyers, vinyl stickers and basic sign boards for offices, shops and small contractors around Paarl and Wellington.
From the start, the work was hands on. Orders were checked carefully, colours were matched as best as possible, and the aim was simple enough: give clients something they could hand out, fit to a vehicle or mount on a wall without worrying about poor finishing. That approach built trust quickly in a region where many customers need the job done fast and need it to last through summer heat, dust and the odd coastal spell of humidity.
- Small print runs for local businesses
- Vinyl cuts for labels, windows and product marking
- Simple signs for traders, workshops and offices
2010 to 2012: broader Boland demand and steadier production
As word spread, the work widened beyond Paarl. Clients from Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and surrounding farms started asking for the same practical service, and the business began handling more repeat work, especially for shops, restaurants, estates and service companies. By this stage, the focus was no longer only on short print jobs but also on better finishing, sharper layout work and more consistent production from week to week.
Those years also brought more time spent on artwork checks and file prep. Many clients had a logo on a flyer, a vehicle door and a sign board, and each one needed to look right at the right size. That meant checking spelling, spacing, bleed, panel joins and layout before anything went to print or cut. It saved time and cut down on waste, which matters when a customer in Worcester or Malmesbury needs a replacement sign and cant wait around for another round of corrections.
- Artwork checks and layout corrections
- Reprints and updates for changing contact details or promotions
- More regular orders from the wider Boland
2013 to 2016: wide format, signs and better finishing
With more complex jobs coming in, Catprints and Signs expanded into large format printing and sign making in earnest. Banners, safety signs, light boxes, board mounting and banner finishing became part of the daily workload. This was the period when the workshop moved from being mainly a print stop to a proper production space for business signage.
Clients needed signs that could cope with sun, wind and busy traffic areas, so the business began paying more attention to materials and finish. Lamination helped protect printed surfaces, board mounting gave displays a cleaner look, and better finishing made banners easier to install and reuse. For local shops and contractors, that made a real difference, especially when a sign had to stay legible in strong Paarl sunlight or on a dusty roadside in the winelands.
- Banners for launches, promotions and events
- Safety signs for workshops, stores and sites
- Light boxes and illuminated display work
- Lamination for extra protection and cleaner wear
2017 to 2019: vehicle branding becomes a major part of the work
By 2017, more clients were asking for vehicle branding as a way to turn bakkies, vans and bikes into moving adverts. That brought another layer of work into the business: design that suited curves, panel lines and real world use, plus careful installation so the finish would hold up to daily driving. Vehicle wraps, decals, contra-vision and magnets became important services for tradesmen, delivery drivers and riding teams across the Boland.
This period also strengthened the fitment side of the business. A good wrap is not just about print quality, it also depends on careful handling, clean surfaces and proper placement. The team had to plan around different vehicle sizes, window areas and badge positions, and on some jobs the client wanted removable branding for leased vehicles. That is where magnets and partial wraps offered a practical answer. It let businesses advertise without making a permanent change, which is useful when fleets change often.
- Motorbike decals for riders and clubs
- Full and partial vehicle wraps
- Contra-vision for rear and side windows
- Removable magnets for temporary branding
2020 to 2022: steadier systems, faster turnarounds
The next few years pushed many businesses to work faster and more carefully, and Catprints and Signs adapted by tightening production flow and service delivery. More clients wanted updated safety signs, fresh window graphics and quick reprints, often with short notice. The business responded by putting more structure into artwork handling, client communication and finishing so jobs could move through the shop with fewer delays.
It was also a time when local service counted even more. Businesses in Paarl, Wellington and nearby towns needed suppliers who could sort out practical signage without long waits or unnecessary back and forth. For many clients, a missing sign, a faded banner or an out of date price board was not a small issue. It affected how the business looked to the public. Catprints and Signs kept its focus on useful output rather than fancy talk, and that approach helped customers keep trading with confidence.
- Reprints for old signs and updated branding
- Window frosting for privacy and office use
- More consistent turnaround on repeat orders
2023 to today: a full-service local sign team
Today, Catprints and Signs works as a full service print and sign shop based in Paarl and serving Wellington, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Worcester, Malmesbury, Klapmuts and Simondium. The team now includes Leandri Botha in studio and prepress, Mihlali Ndlovu on wide format print, Ruan Smit on sign fabrication, Anele Jacobs on vehicle wrap installation and Zelda October in sales and client care, with Pieter Johannes van der Merwe leading the business as Managing Director.
The service offering has grown in step with the work. Clients can order business cards, flyers, canvas prints, vinyl stickers, banners, light boxes, safety signs, vehicle wraps, contra-vision, magnets, sign refurbishment and installation. The day to day remains practical: clean files, accurate sizes, solid materials and a finish that holds up in real use. Whether it is a shopfront in Paarl, a fleet vehicle in Wellington or a farm business near Franschhoek, the goal stays the same, good work that does the job properly.
- Graphic design and artwork checks
- Large format printing and vinyl cutting
- Sign installation, fitment and refurbishment
- Support for businesses, riders and drivers across the Boland