How a Randburg workshop found its lane
SubAlu was established in 1990 in Randburg, Johannesburg, where practical print work and steady finishing matter more than talk. Over the years the business settled into a clear speciality: dye sublimation onto coated aluminium panels for images that need a crisp surface, strong colour and a modern presentation. That focus shaped the way we work, from file checks through to packing, because the final panel only looks right when every step is handled with care.
We serve clients in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and Gqeberha, with deliveries and collections handled according to the order and destination. Some panels go into homes, some into galleries, some into offices and retail spaces, and some are made for photographers handing over a finished piece to a client. Different use cases, yes, but the same standard: the image must print cleanly, the panel must sit flat, and the finish must suit the light where it will hang.
The people who keep the colour honest
Our team is small enough to know each order, and structured enough to keep production moving without confusion. Mandla Chetty leads the business, with Lerato Ntsele overseeing production, Johan Mafokeng handling colour and prepress, Ayesha Moagi coordinating clients, Sibusiso Salie taking charge of finishing and mounting, and Nicole Adams managing logistics and dispatch. Each stage has a named owner, which helps when a file needs adjustment or a project has a tight handover date.
- File checks to spot missing bleed, low resolution or colour problems before printing
- Resolution review for images that must hold detail on larger panels
- Colour preparation for skin tones, black and white work, and strong saturated images
- Finish selection across gloss, matte, white or brushed aluminium panels
- Mounting options suited to the space and the way the panel will be displayed
We do not rush a panel through just to move it out the door. If a crop will cut off a face, if a shadow detail will disappear, or if a supplied file will not hold up at the intended size, we say so and offer a better route. That might mean a test panel, a reprint matched to an earlier piece, or a different layout for a multi panel set.
What we expect from the files you send
SubAlu works with customers who own the images or have the rights to use them. That matters, because we print what we are given and the rights to that image must be in order before production starts. We also need the file to be suitable for the chosen size, especially where a large panel will be viewed up close. A sharp file at the right resolution gives the best result, while an over stretched image can look soft or blocky on the finished surface.
Our prepress process checks more than just pixel count. We look at crop placement, edge safety, contrast, shadow detail and whether the image is best suited to gloss, matte, white or brushed aluminium. A glossy panel gives punch and depth under controlled light. Matte reduces reflections in bright rooms. White aluminium supports clean colour and a bright image. Brushed aluminium can add a metal texture where it suits the artwork, though it is not the right choice for every photograph.
- Custom sizing for single pieces, series and wall sets
- Test panels for colour sensitive work or new finish choices
- Crop planning so key parts of the image stay where they should
- Reprint matching when a previous panel needs to be repeated
How the panels are built for South African spaces
The panels are made to handle real conditions. In Johannesburg that can mean dry winter air and strong interior lighting; in coastal cities it can mean humidity, salt in the air and shifting temperatures. The coated aluminium surface is chosen for print clarity and for durability, and the mounting method is selected so the panel sits securely on the wall. We pay attention to clean edges, balanced finish and packaging that protects the surface in transit.
People often choose aluminium photo panels because they want a look that feels modern without being fussy. They are light enough for many wall applications and neat enough for offices, reception areas, studios and domestic interiors. We work with hanging hardware generically, depending on the size and intended display method, so the panel arrives ready for a proper install rather than a hurried fix on site.
- Mounting options suited to the weight and size of the panel
- Packing and delivery for Randburg, Johannesburg and major centres nationwide
- Care advice for dust, fingerprints and everyday cleaning
- Advice for areas with, strong sunlight or coastal humidity
Aluminium prints for businesses, artists and photographers
Photographers often need consistency from one panel to the next, especially for exhibitions, portfolio walls or client handovers. Artists may need a surface that respects strong colour and line work. Businesses usually want something that looks considered in a boardroom, foyer or showroom and holds that appearance over time. SubAlu serves all three groups by keeping the process practical and by treating each file as a job with its own requirements.
For business clients, we can help with multi panel layouts, repeat production and delivery planning across Johannesburg, Pretoria, Midrand and Sandton. For photographers and artists, we pay close attention to image resolution, tonal balance and finish choice so the panel supports the work instead of fighting it. The result is not about decoration alone. It is about presenting an image in a way that feels deliberate and well made.
The way we handle orders from first file to final handover
Our workflow relies on clear updates and defined responsibility. Clients send through their image files and instructions, we assess the artwork, and if needed we reply with practical notes before production begins. That saves time later and helps avoid preventable rework. If a panel needs a tighter crop, a different finish, or a size adjusted for the wall, we flag it while there is still room to make changes.
From there the order moves through colour preparation, printing, finishing, mounting and packing. Nicole Adams oversees dispatch so collections and deliveries stay organised, while the production team checks that each panel leaves in the right condition. We keep the language plain because that is usually what clients want when they are spending money on a piece that must arrive looking right.
- Clear updates during production
- Practical file feedback before printing
- Order handling for local and long distance delivery
- Consistent finishing for one panel or a repeated series
What we stand for when no one is watching the wall
Our values are straightforward: take the image seriously, respect the client’s timing, and do the small things properly. That means checking a crop twice, matching colour with care, protecting the surface in packing, and not promising what the file cannot deliver. It also means being honest about what works best on aluminium, because not every image wants the same finish and not every wall gets the same light.
We are based in Randburg, but the service is for people across South Africa who need dependable panels and a team that knows the process. If a project is a single artwork, a batch for a business, or a set of panels for a photographer’s client, we treat it with the same attention. That is how SubAlu keeps its work practical, consistent and ready for the spaces it ends up in.