Printing strategies, marketing tips, and growth hacks for South African small businesses.
Expert insights and practical advice on small business growth
Stop Googling "business card dimensions" and getting US or UK results that don't apply in South Africa. Here's the exact size that works for SA printers, plus a regional comparison and why your card might not fit in your wallet.
Most SA printers penalise small orders with high per-unit prices. Printulu does the opposite â a flat R483.33 up to 800 units. Here's what that actually means for your order, and why the 'bulk trap' everyone warns about doesn't exist at Printulu.
Every design blog says use 2 fonts. Nobody tells you why. And here's the thing: the rule was written for screen design, not print. Most SA small business owners using Canva are using fonts that look sharp on a monitor and muddy in CMYK print. This is what actually matters.
Your printer just asked 'what GSM do you need?' and you panicked. Most print suppliers count on that. Here's the brutal truth about paper weight â and how to never be played again.
The most profitable agencies in South Africa aren't the biggest â they're the ones that handle everything from design to print production. Here's how to build a full-service agency that clients never leave.
South African designers who add printing services to their offerings earn 3-5x more than digital-only designers. Here's the exact breakdown of how it works, with real revenue numbers.
Design agencies across South Africa are shrinking â not because demand is down, but because they're stuck in the death spiral of competing on price. Here's how adding printing services breaks the cycle.
Weâre a growing company, so weâre continuously trying to improve our system to accommodate our thousands of clients. This includes making sure that you have the best possible experience with us, regardless of how busy we get behind the scenes. We noticed that our design process, while getting the job done, left something to be
There are many different types of marketing strategies. But how many of them will actually work for your small business? Which type of marketing strategy should you choose to pursue and why? 1. Advertise In Niche Print Media While much of the world has moved online, print media still exists, and in some niches, it
Newer is always better, and weâve been adding more and more updates to our products and to our system. But we realise that while this is super exciting, online shopping can also be confusing with so many updates. We want to make sure youâre kept in the loop at all times. So hereâs a full guide
Printulu offers a variety of options for business card finishes, including Soft Touch Lamination. This refinement options offers a protective finish with a matte effect and a soft, velvet-like texture. It is one of seven options available incluuding Gloss Lamination, Matt Lamination, Straight Cut, 2 Rounded Corners â Top Left, Bottom Right, 2 Rounded Corners
CMYK or RGB for print? Learn the difference, avoid costly colour mistakes, and get perfect prints every time. South Africa's complete colour guide.
In todayâs highly competitive business landscape, personalised marketing is more important than ever. With consumers constantly being bombarded with generic advertisements, itâs becoming increasingly difficult to capture their attention and stand out from the crowd. Thatâs where variable data printing (VDP) comes in â a revolutionary technique that allows businesses to create highly personalised marketing
It all started at the OR Tambo international airport in 2016. Where Printulu founder Alexander Knieps was asked to make a decision to accept an investment of $1M within an hour or the offer would be pulled off the table. He went with his gut and rejected the offer. What this meant is that the company would start
Is graphic design dying? Far from it. 5 trends transforming South African design in 2026 â from 3D characters to holographic design.
With large format printing, a small preventable mistake on the screen can result in a big mistake in reality. Knowing what to check and get right before you print your PVC Banner, Wall Banner, Wall Paper, Pull-Up Banners, X-Banners and Stickers, will help you prevent these mistakes. This post outlines exactly what you need to
I recently had to get our beautiful new Chromadek Boards installed near our offices in Rosebank. And nearly got hit by a car. Okay, so maybe Iâm being a little dramatic. But letâs be clear â my profession is to design the signs, not install them. When I tried to scout the spot the signs
There is only one thing you have to remember here. Saving money in the long run on graphic design is all about saving time. By saving your designer time, you save yourself time. Why? Because when it comes to graphic design, the majority of the costs are directly related to the amount of time spent on
Designers are good at many things, and unless you stumble upon a designer who is prolific in the psychic arts, mind reading is not one of them. As much as designers enjoy creative freedom, most crave direction. This is partly because designers have to be creative on demand. They also have to find the subtle
You know the saying itâs not over âtill the fat lady sings. Large format is advertisingâs, metaphorical fat lady. After trying more of your in-person advertising such as flyers, business cards, and folded leaflets, the logical next step is to go large. For most people, when you speak of outdoor large-format signage, picture a big billboard along
You are planning a business opening, youâre rebranding, launch of a new product/service, or an event to delight existing customers. This comes with allocating budgets, assigning roles, finalising venues and preparing materials. Some of those materials are your printed collateral: 5 000 Flyers here, 2 500 Business Cards there, 1 000 Brochures, 100 Posters, 4
Stickers are an effective and fun way to promote your brand, showcase your creativity, and engage with your audience. Whether youâre designing stickers for personal or business use, itâs important to follow certain graphic design principles to ensure that your artwork stands out, communicates your message effectively and most importantly is print-ready. In this post,
You may have seen our trusty pull-up banner in some of our videos, like the one below where Trudi, our graphic designer, explains our design process. Even if you havenât seen it yet, you should note that weâve added a huge amount of new banners and flags to our website. Yep â your options to
Online print ordering can come with a lot of questions, but weâre here to answer them for you. Weâve been in the business for 7 years and have amassed over 15,000 clients, so weâve received a lot of questions. Our online ordering system is simple and user-friendly, but some people may still have trouble uploading
In todayâs competitive business world, finding the right printing company can make all the difference when it comes to creating professional marketing materials and delivering a powerful message to your target audience. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Thatâs why weâve put together this ultimate guide to
The quick answer for how to save money on printing is to understand what works for you. To achieve this you have to see your collateral through the eyes of the intended audience. This will determine how much you should be spending on print and where you can lower your costs. Essentially, the question you need to
Avoid costly booklet printing mistakes. 6 essential setup steps for perfect catalogues, annual reports, and promotional booklets in South Africa.
Trade shows and expos are a great way to demonstrate your product to a relevant, engaged and live audience. These can be pricey exercises and are traditionally competitive. Therefore, to get a positive ROI you need to make sure you stand out and are well prepared to do so. We have been to a number
Giving your small business an online presence along with offline means more than simply putting up a little website with your companyâs address and phone number. It means setting up a virtual version of your business, with other channels leading to it. It means thinking about how youâre tracking your offline materials. Ignoring these important
Never get a print rejected again. 14-step checklist for perfect print-ready artwork. CMYK, bleed, DPI, fonts â everything SA printers need.
Graphic design is a term that many people have trouble coming to terms with. What does it mean? Designers get asked questions such as âDesign⌠like fashion?â and âItâs basically just art, right?â on an almost weekly basis. This is probably due to the assumption that you donât really need a qualification to be a
On several occasions, I have received a call from companies who have tried to relaunch a product but failed. They even put out flyers. So why isnât it working? Itâs only at this point that they seek professional advice. Most companies relaunch products without considering the effort that is required to rebrand or relaunch their business. In
Black ink printing has been a staple of the printing industry for centuries. Black ink is the most commonly used colour for printing, and it is used in various applications such as newspapers, books, magazines, and even art prints. In this article, we will discuss black ink for printing, its characteristics, and its uses. 100%
You have done the difficult work of briefing and finalising a brilliant design and you are using the right printing partner to get your materials ready. However, the work is not yet done. You still have to get your materials into the right hands. Distribution is a time-consuming process if you want to get it right.
âFraudsterâ, âScammerâ, âSwindlerâ. Words any avid online shopper is far too familiar with and tries to avoid avidly. Well, perhaps not âswindlerâ, unless youâre up to date on 1700âs jargon. Especially with social distancing, even elder generations have become online shopping regulars. And people are becoming more and more sceptical. And for good reason, too.
Great marketing means reaching the right person, with the right message, in the right format. It sounds simple, but we know getting everything right is not that simple. Imagine having that perfect message you want to get across to your clients and are ready to send your marketing collateral to the printers. Now imagine something
Going to print and ordering large quantities can be nerve-wracking, especially for the average Joe with no prior printing knowledge or experience. Whether youâre promoting your business, and products, or are simply printing items for a personal project, there are various points to consider. A lapse in checking your details, making sure youâve selected the
In todayâs fast-paced world, convenience is king. Whether itâs getting groceries, ordering takeout, or sending packages, people expect quick and efficient delivery services that fit into their busy schedules. With the rise of e-commerce and the ongoing pandemic, delivery services have become more important than ever before. As a result, businesses across industries are investing
When Microsoft founder Bill Gates wrote in 1996 that âcontent is king,â he spoke an undeniable marketing truth. Consumers live in a fast-paced world, filled with 30-second snippets, flashing lights, and competing products. Thatâs why having interesting, useful, and in-depth content is a massive asset for gaining and keeping consumer attention. Think about what you
Banners can be an effective marketing tool for businesses, but whether they are worth the cost and whether they will have a positive or negative impact on your business depends on a variety of factors. Here are some things to consider when ordering a banner: Target audience: Banners are most effective when they are seen
Weâve all had to start somewhere, and the road isnât always easy. If you have a small business and are still in the process of scaling up, you have to make the most out of the advertising rands you have. After all, not everyone is Apple and has enough money in the bank to fund
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in many ways to enhance the design process for printing products, making them faster, more efficient, and more customisable. Because I have been designing for over 12 years, you could say that I am snobby (I like to call it specific). And I might be biased as I am
Printulu is an online printing services company, meaning itâs unlikely that you will meet us in person. Get ready for the Printulu Experience! Say goodbye to long lines and traffic jams for your printing needs. Meet the mastermind behind it all, Alexander Knieps, the founder of Printulu â the online printing services company revolutionizing the game. You
What information should be on a company letterhead in South Africa? Use this practical checklist for registered company details, addresses, directors, contact details, branding, and print-ready design.
Your corporate stationery list includes every promotional item (especially made of paper) that your company uses. That means letterheads, envelopes, invoices, stickers, business cards, and so on. But this list also includes USBs, Diaries, Pens, Mousepads, and more. Itâs all in the spirit of giving. The secret is in giving.  Do you remember your Aunt
Online printing has its unique processes and it is important that you familiarise yourself with the concept before you dive into the untested waters. Itâs not always easy to switch to purchasing online, especially if you are not internet savvy. Â It can be daunting to leave your comfort zone. Hence, we are giving you all
Hereâs the situation. You may excel in using Photoshop or be a seasoned CorelDraw user for your graphic design, but without a solid foundation, youâll encounter issues. Recently, I received a call from a client who was struggling to export a print-ready file in CMYK from Adobe Photoshop. Despite being a designer, she couldnât figure
In todayâs fast-paced world, every business owner and professional seeks to get more things done in a shorter time. We are all living a busier life. Good thing the retail industry has been revolutionizing ways to provide more convenience to consumers and providers through online shopping and ecommerce marketing. Its growing popularity is shifting our
In todayâs highly competitive business landscape, standing out from the crowd and capturing the attention of potential customers is essential for the success of any business. While there are many marketing strategies that can be employed to achieve this goal, printing products continue to be a powerful and effective way to get your message in
The Holiday Period is a busy time for all of us, with Christmas looming and the shopping list growing. For businesses, this period also means a well-earned break for employees. Unfortunately, this break can put a strain on employees to stay on deadline and target when it comes to printing and marketing production. Printing companies
Just in time for event season, we help you master event branding for maximum profits and rewards! Banners are a great beginning, but branded take-homes and invitations create an image meant to last. Your event is done. The pack-up has been completed, and your consumers are driving home. What is it theyâre taking with them?
I spent one incredibly busy holiday working as an event planner. And over and over, my boss hammered in the phrase: âPlanning is good, promising is better.â I lived in fear of that phrase, but she was right. My boss knew that the secret to a good event was marketing, promising, and operating. Any event, from the
Marketing is simply âputting the right product in the right place, at the right price, at the right time.â Traditional marketing will always have a place in the advertising industry, but new clientele and modern markets call for new and contemporary approaches. Textbook marketing follows the 7P theoretical approach. Product, price, place, promotion, people, process,
Itâs easy to forget that Printulu is an organisation run by people for inline printing orders. Especially when your order is just a few clicks away and the only human contact you ever really need to have is saying hi to the guy that is delivering your package. But of course, Printulu is all about people.
Creating print-ready brochures is super easy, here is a quick video that takes you through designing brochures step-by-step. Here are the things you need to look out for: Size: The size of your ordered product is the size of your end product, the artwork size should be exactly the same Image Quality: Images must be
Omnichannel marketing sounds easy in theory. All you have to do is ensure each promotional message your audience sees takes them down a sequence of small goals that lead them to the ultimate goal of being an advocate of your brand. However, products are different, services are different, peopleâs behaviour varies and different channels and
The 10 commandments of printing include a combination of fundamental design elements and production requirements. These encompass some of the basic features required to successfully produce printed products. Thou shalt not stretch Stretching your artwork is just lazyâŚThere I said it! There are so many alternatives to overcome slight sizing issues. If you have the
Revolutionising the print industry is a highly rewarding adventure! Now you can order your business flyers while you are on your couch watching the latest re-run of 7de laan. But having the access to this power at the tip of your fingertips doesnât mean you have the knowledge of which material is best for your
Theyâre a bright gloss, or a sleek matt, collection of colourful pages that display beautiful images of your products and services to inspire action from your reader. Well, when done right. When done wrong theyâre just another piece of marketing to throw away. Please, donât let your marketing brochures get thrown away. A discarded brochure hurts
Everybody and their grandmother is a designer these days. Heck, give a two-year-old an iPad with free design software and the result could be the next iconic logo for one of the top design brands. In fact, design software is so easily accessible these days that you could probably design your companyâs corporate identity and
You are probably on the fence about placing an order with us, asking yourself if using Printulu will be worth it⌠Well, you might be in for a bumpy ride. We think all informed decisions come with knowing all the facts. This might be deemed an unorthodox way of selling services, but we woke up feeling
In the time it takes you to read this sentence 20m emails have been sent. Thatâs why marketing research shows itâs essential for your business to stand out and be top of mind. I met up with Veejay Archary, MD of Black Africa Brand Strategy Design. His company has been successful for over a decade. In fact,
If youâve ever experienced a significant âslate-clearingâ life transition â like a big move or a job change â you know one big shakeup can kickstart a domino effect of positive change. Suddenly, youâre empowered to change your hairstyle, refresh your wardrobe, and ditch a few unhealthy habits. You feel different, and before long, everyone
How to apply vinyl stickers in 4 steps: Step 1: Clean the surface with a light solution of sunlight & water. Step 2: Apply your stickers when temperatures are moderate (18 â 25 degrees) Step 3: Use masking tape to keep your vinyl in place. Step 4: Use the wet method for big block vinyls.
A recent study on The Culture Economy asked 500 SME senior decision-makers if they believed workplace culture impacts positively on company performance. Of the 500 participants, 72 percent believed company culture does have a positive impact on business performance. This figure only increases as companies grow. This makes sense because most small businesses put most of their
When choosing a sign, we talk a lot about graphic design and artwork choices. These are essential for customer impact and leaving a decent, lasting impression. But just as necessary are the materials used in making signs. Will it be sturdy enough for rough weather? Is it cost-effective? How heavy is it? And can I
Marketing strategies. Whatâs the first thing you thought of? You most likely thought of something used for B2C (business to client) marketing. These are messages that you might send straight to clients or prospects. The goal here is to be compelling and persuasive enough that the audience responds and engages with your services. But B2B (business-to-business) marketing
Design stickers that grab attention and boost brand awareness. 7 pro tips for South African businesses â from size and shape to bleed setup.
There is nothing more frustrating than waiting patiently for your order, and then upon receiving your package discovering that the print came out wrong. We at Printulu want you to get what you expected every time you order with us. Take Jimmy above for instance. Jimmy printed his first 500 flyers with LOL-printers but he
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