Hands on from first file to final pack
SubAlu works as a small, tightly run production team, which means the same people who check your artwork also understand how the finished panel will hang in a home, gallery, office or retail space. We print dye sublimation onto coated aluminium panels, then check the surface, edges and mounting choice before dispatch. That attention matters when a job has to land in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria or Gqeberha in good condition.
- File checks for image quality, crop and layout
- Resolution review before print approval
- Finish guidance for gloss, matte, white or brushed panels
- Packing for local and national delivery
Every order is handled with the practical things in mind: image rights, wall fixing, light levels, humidity near the coast, and the kind of daily wear that a busy office or foyer puts on a display.
Mandla Chetty keeps the operation steady
Mandla Chetty, our Managing Director, oversees the day to day pace of the workshop and keeps production tied to real customer needs rather than theory. He has an eye for what photographers and business owners actually want on the wall, whether that is a one-panel feature or a multi panel layout for a reception area. Mandla also keeps a close handle on turnaround timing, especially when orders have to move through Randburg, Sandton or Midrand without delays.
He is firm on one rule that protects both sides of the job: customers must own the image rights or have permission to use the files they send. That keeps the work clean, professional and properly authorised, which is how it should be.
The production bench where colour is checked twice
Lerato Ntsele, our Production Manager, runs the print flow and makes sure each panel is prepared for a clean finish. She monitors substrate prep, print consistency and curing so the colour holds well on coated aluminium, even on pieces that will be exposed to strong light or handled often. Her focus is practical, and she is the one who spots problems before they become costly reprints.
Lerato also works closely with clients on test panels and finish selection. A gloss surface can give strong depth, while matte helps reduce glare in bright rooms. White panels suit crisp colour work, and brushed panels can support a more industrial or contemporary look.
- Test panels for proofing before a larger run
- Colour preparation for consistent skin tones and brand colours
- Crop planning for panoramic or square images
- Reprint matching when an existing display needs extension
Johan Mafokeng protects the image before it touches metal
Johan Mafokeng, our Colour and Prepress Lead, handles the file side with a careful eye. He checks resolution, sharpness, borders and alignment, then prepares the artwork so the final panel reads cleanly at viewing distance. For a small office panel in Pretoria or a large wall piece in Cape Town, the prepress stage can make the difference between a print that merely looks fine and one that feels properly finished.
Johan also helps clients understand how image size relates to viewing distance. A file that works on a phone screen may not hold up on a 900 mm panel, so he looks for enough detail in the original before it goes ahead. If a file needs adjustment, he says so plainly.
The people who finish, mount and move orders out
Sibusiso Salie, our Finishing and Mounting Specialist, handles the physical last steps with care. He trims, checks edges, fits hanging hardware and makes sure the panel is ready to go up straight. For clients who want standoff fittings, hidden hangers or another mounting style, he matches the hardware to the panel size and the wall surface. He also keeps an eye on load-bearing needs for larger work, especially where the wall is not ideal.
Nicole Adams, our Logistics and Dispatch Lead, makes sure panels are packed well and sent to the right place. She coordinates orders leaving for Johannesburg delivery, Randburg orders, Pretoria delivery, Durban delivery, Cape Town delivery, Gqeberha delivery, Midrand delivery and Sandton delivery. Her job is part timing, part packing discipline, and part making sure a panel arrives with no corner damage or unwanted movement in transit.
- Packing suited to panel size and finish
- Delivery planning across major South African centres
- Order tracking through dispatch and handover
- Care advice for offices, studios and coastal homes
Ayesha Moagi keeps the customer side clear
Ayesha Moagi, our Client Services Coordinator, is often the first person to help when an enquiry comes in through the contact page. She keeps the practical details moving: what size the client needs, whether the file is ready, if a test panel would help, and which finish suits the space. She also helps people decide if their image is ready for a single panel or needs to be split across several panels.
Her strength is plain communication. If a file is too soft, she says so. If a matte finish will work better in a bright boardroom, she explains why. That kind of direct guidance saves time and keeps the order process orderly, even when a client is trying to coordinate artwork from another city.
Built for careful work and ordinary realities
We are used to helping clients choose a panel that will hold up and still look good after the first week, not only on install day.
That is what this team does best. They check, prepare, finish, mount and dispatch with enough care to make the work look intentional, and with enough honesty to tell you when a file, finish or size needs another look.