2008: A small start in Umbilo with local demand
Screen Spectrum opened in 2008 in Umbilo, Durban, serving customers who needed dependable print work for T shirts, caps, banners and signage without having to send jobs far from home. In those first months the work was mostly small runs for schools, sports clubs and local businesses, with a strong focus on getting the basics right: clean artwork, accurate colours and neat print placement.
The early setup was hands on. Screens were made in house, jobs were checked before print, and the team worked with the kind of care that matters when a school order or event deadline cannot wait. That approach shaped the business from day one, and it still does.
- Started with local repeat orders from Durban and nearby suburbs
- Built an in house screen making process for short and medium runs
- Focused on clear communication and practical turnaround times
2009 to 2012: Building the production process properly
As demand grew, the next few years were spent refining the process behind the printing. Artwork checking, vector redrawing, colour separation and film output became part of the daily workflow so that each job could move cleanly from file to screen. This made a real difference for customers sending in logos, sports numbers and school crests that needed to print well at different sizes.
During this period the team also tightened up screen stretching, frame reclaiming, emulsion coating, screen exposure, washout and touch up, and screen registration. Those steps may not be visible on the finished garment, but they are what keep print quality consistent, especially on repeat orders. If a school needed 40 shirts in March and another 120 in July, the later order had to match the first without fuss.
- Added tighter pre press checks for cleaner print output
- Standardised screen preparation for repeat work and recurring clients
- Improved storage and record keeping for screens used on regular runs
2013 to 2016: Serving more of KZN from Durban
By this stage Screen Spectrum was handling more work from beyond Umbilo, including Durban Central, Berea, Pinetown, Westville and Amanzimtoti. As the client base widened, the business kept the same local service style but with better planning for dispatch and courier delivery. It became normal to prepare orders for collection in Durban or send them further afield to other parts of KwaZulu Natal.
This was also the period when the team learned to balance different types of work at the same time. A banner for a shop opening, caps for a club fundraiser and school shirts for a sports day could all be in production on the same morning. Load shedding and hot coastal weather meant the work area had to stay organised and the drying and storage process had to be managed properly, so finished items stayed clean and ready to go. The team got very used to working around hiccups and keeping the line moving.
- Expanded delivery coverage across Durban and nearby areas
- Handled mixed jobs across garments, signage and promotional items
- Built stronger dispatch routines for local collection and courier orders
2017 to 2019: More schools, clubs and business repeat orders
In these years the business became a steady print partner for customers who ordered through the year rather than once off. Schools needed house shirts, sports kit and event items. Clubs needed branded wear for tours and matches. Businesses needed signs, banners and staff clothing that looked consistent from one batch to the next. The team responded by keeping screens on hand for repeat jobs and by storing artwork and production notes carefully.
Another important step was improving how smaller runs were handled. Not every order is a big one, and many customers only need a few pieces for a team, a class or a launch. Screen Spectrum kept those jobs moving without making them feel second rate. That kind of service helped the business stay useful to customers who want flexibility, not only bulk quantities.
- Handled more repeat clients needing matched colours and sizing
- Supported both small runs and larger production batches
- Kept screen storage and job records organised for faster re orders
2020 to 2022: Adapting work, timing and delivery
These years asked a lot from local trade businesses, and Screen Spectrum stayed focused on practical service. Customers still needed uniforms, signage and print work, but they also needed safer planning, clearer communication and reliable delivery. The team adjusted schedules, managed production around supply pressures and continued to support clients in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and other parts of KZN where timing mattered.
The in house screen making side became even more valuable here because it gave the business greater control over turnaround and repeat work. When a school needed an urgent replacement batch or a company required more branded items after a delayed event, the team could respond quickly. Yusuf Khan led the screen making side with close attention to consistency, while Priya Naidoo kept artwork ready for production and Lwazi Khumalo made sure dispatch ran on time.
- Kept production moving through changing operating conditions
- Strengthened courier delivery for clients outside Durban
- Maintained careful coordination between artwork, screens and dispatch
2023 to today: A settled team with a wider reach
Today Screen Spectrum continues from its Umbilo base with a settled team and a clear service structure. Sibusiso Mthethwa leads the business as Managing Director, Anele Zungu oversees production, Nokuthula Dlamini works with customers on sales and quotes, Yusuf Khan leads screen making, Priya Naidoo handles artwork coordination and Lwazi Khumalo manages dispatch. That team structure means each part of the job is handled by someone who knows it well.
The company now serves KZN schools, clubs and businesses while also sending orders nationwide by courier. The work still starts with the same fundamentals from 2008: check the artwork, prepare the screens, print carefully and pack the job properly. It is a straightforward way of working, and it has kept the business trusted by customers who want practical results and no drama.
- Operates from Umbilo, Durban with courier delivery across South Africa
- Continues to support Durban Central, Berea, Pinetown, Westville, Amanzimtoti, Ballito and Pietermaritzburg deliveries
- Maintains in house screen making for jobs of any size