Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

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 We do not publish a hard number because it moves with the number of colours and the substrate — send us the project details, and we will tell you which method suits best, and quote you digital if that is more cost effective for you.

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.

No. Southan Print does not screen print T-shirts. If that is the job, we will say so early rather than take an enquiry we cannot fill.

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. However, we do print onto speciality stocks such as polypropylene, and white ink onto coloured substrates.

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.

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.

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.

For short runs, yes — there is no screen or plate setup to work through first. At volume the position reverses, and screen printing gives you the better value.

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.

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.

Yes — Aluminium composite panels (ACM), shopfront window graphics, hoarding graphics and floor decals.

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.

Same service, two names. It covers one-way vision film, short-term promotional graphics, cut-to-shape decals and window frosting.

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.

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 provide a freight estimate with the quotation.

It depends on the process and the size of the run — digital is faster for short runs because there are no plate setups. Tell us your deadline when you send the job through, and we will confirm whether it is achievable before you commit.

The people who are directly involved in getting your job done. Southan Print is a family-owned and operated business with an experienced, hands-on team across our office and production departments. Corina, our Office Manager, is often your first point of contact by phone or email and will make sure you’re connected with the right person for your job. There’s no call centre or complicated chain — just a local team working together to keep your project moving from enquiry through to completion.

Yes — advertising and marketing agencies, retail shops, real estate, and 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.