2009: The first year in Randfontein CBD
@Print opened in 2009 with a simple focus: help local businesses get printed material done properly and on time. In those early days the work was hands-on and local, serving Randfontein shops, start-ups, churches, spaza owners, contractors and office teams that needed business cards, flyers and basic signage without long waits. The base in Randfontein CBD made it easier for clients to drop off artwork, collect finished work and speak directly to the team when changes were needed.
From the beginning, the business was built around practical printing needs rather than fancy talk. Orders were handled one by one, with careful checking before anything went to print. That approach set the tone for the years that followed. It also meant customers quickly learnt they could come in with a rough idea and still leave with something print ready, even if the original file needed work. In the first year, that made a real difference to small businesses trying to keep their doors open and their names visible.
2010 to 2013: Building trust one order at a time
Over the next few years, the work grew through word of mouth. Businesses in Greenhills, Toekomsrus and Mohlakeng started relying on @Print for repeat jobs, from simple flyers to posters for weekend promotions and stickers for product packaging. The team learned early that a shop owner in a rush, or a company dealing with load-shedding and short trading hours, needs clear communication and dependable turnarounds.
These years also shaped the way jobs were handled. The team began tightening proofing, checking colour, and making sure artwork matched the size and finish required for each print run. As more West Rand businesses came through, @Print became known for being steady and easy to work with, which mattered just as much as the printing itself.
- Business cards for daily networking and quoting
- Flyers for promotions, church events and launches
- Posters for shop windows and local notice boards
- Stickers for packaging, labels and product marking
2014 to 2017: Expanding from print only to print plus design
As the client base widened, the work became more than just pressing print. Many customers needed help with layout, resizing, logo clean-up and getting artwork ready for production. That is when the design side became a bigger part of the service. Instead of sending clients elsewhere for changes, the team could handle design updates in-house, which saved time and reduced mistakes.
During this period, @Print became especially useful for businesses in Krugersdorp, Westonaria, Mogale City and Roodepoort that needed the same practical support as Randfontein clients. Local companies often had tight deadlines, last-minute price changes or urgent event dates. Being able to sort out banner artwork, brochure layout, menu layout and form design under one roof meant jobs could move faster. It also meant fewer back-and-forth delays, which is important when a campaign or event is due in a few days.
2018 to 2020: Faster turnaround for a busier West Rand
By 2018, the pace of work had changed. More businesses wanted quick-turnaround digital printing, and many needed smaller runs instead of large bulk orders. That suited the way @Print was already working. Digital print allowed the team to respond quickly to urgent requests, especially when a business needed fresh flyers for a weekend special or replacement signage after a change in pricing.
The period leading into 2020 also reinforced how important flexibility was. In South African business, plans can shift quickly, and sometimes the lights go out just as a deadline gets close. The team adapted their workflow so jobs could keep moving when conditions were not ideal, with careful scheduling and finishing handled once the work was ready. It was a practical response to real local conditions, not a slogan. Clients kept coming back because they knew the job would be handled properly even when things were hectic.
- Same-day print support for urgent local work
- Artwork redraws when older files were not usable
- Proofing updates before the final print run
- Finishing checks for cutting, folding and trimming
2021 to 2023: A stronger team behind every job
As the business matured, the team structure became more defined. Thabo Johannes Mokoena continued guiding the company with a practical, customer-first approach, while each team member took on a clear role in keeping jobs moving smoothly. Lerato Ndlovu managed production, Willem van Zyl handled senior print operations, Anele Dlamini took care of graphic design, Bianca Naidoo led client services, Kagiso Molefe supervised finishing and Megan Botha supported sales and order flow.
This stronger team setup made a visible difference. Jobs moved through the process more efficiently, clients had a clear point of contact, and the quality stayed consistent from first proof to final collection. It also helped with larger or more detailed orders like brochures, menus and banner sets, where the smallest error can throw off the whole job. With better coordination, @Print could keep serving local businesses that needed careful work and quick turnaround at the same time.
Today: A Randfontein print shop serving the wider West Rand
Today, @Print is still based in Randfontein CBD, but the reach is broader. Businesses from Krugersdorp, Westonaria, Mogale City, Roodepoort and the surrounding areas come through for business card design, flyer design, poster design, banner artwork, sticker design, menu layout, brochure layout, form design and print ready artwork. The same local understanding that shaped the early years still matters now, because each area has different business needs and different pressure points.
What has not changed is the approach. The team still values straight answers, proper proofing and a finish that looks ready for use, not just ready for collection. Whether it is a small batch of cards for a new owner in Mohlakeng or a poster run for a busy Roodepoort promotion, the aim is the same: make the print side simpler for the client and keep the work moving. That has been the story from 2009 right through to today, and it remains the way the business works now.
Why the history still matters to local clients
For many customers, the value of a long-running local print shop is not only the equipment or the range of services. It is the habit of doing the work properly, year after year, through changing seasons and changing business demands. @Print has built that reputation by staying local, staying practical and keeping the turnaround realistic for West Rand businesses that cannot afford delays.
The history matters because it shows how the business learned its trade in Randfontein, adapted to new customer needs and kept its focus on useful print work. When clients send through an enquiry from the contact page, they are reaching a team that has seen small launches, busy sale periods, municipal notice requirements and last-minute event changes. That experience is part of the service now, and it shows in the way jobs are handled from start to finish.
- Local knowledge built over many years
- Practical support for small and medium businesses
- Reliable handling of urgent print jobs
- A clear process from artwork to finished print