November Newsletter

It has been a while since our last communication, but we are happy to announce that we have had opportunity to get up to date with placing new images of projects we have completed in our website galleries. You are most welcome to have a look at our website, http://capecraft.co.za and especially the “Services” tab to view examples of our newest work.

The majority of our recent orders has been trophies, and we will be updating the website soon with pictures of our more interesting trophies. If you have any events or ceremonies in the pipeline for the end of the year for which you will be requiring trophies, we urge you to get your order in as soon as possible so that you can have them in time.

We have also been represented in the national media quite regularly in the last while, making the pages of You Magazine, Huisgenoot, Elle Decorating, House and Leisure and Sarie Magazine in the last few months. We have also made a local paper with our support of the Parow Police Service Sector, supplying and installing signage (printed and die-cut vinyl stickers and vinyl lettering) for the two Community Centres.

You are welcome to look under the “Media” tab on the web site to see more articles we have been featured in.

We had to change our office Vox Number, and this serves as a reminder of this number change. Our new number is

087 807 8131

The only change is the last digit which changed from a six (6) to a one (1). Please update your records accordingly.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Vox Telepreneur Voice over IP (VoIP) telecommunications solution (our 087 number) and want to find out more, visit http://vox.webconcept.co.za for an overview of the system and the savings possible on your current telephone costs. It is not just about saving on calls, but about the opportunity to build a residual-income business, getting your share of the nearly R 2 Billion per year telecoms industry.

Festive Greetings!  We will be closing for the festive season from lunch time on Monday the 21st of December 2009. We normally close on the 20th of December, but this day falling on a Sunday, we will be here on the morning on the 21st December 2009 to make sure you have time to collect all your final items before the festive period. We will be re-opening on Monday 11th of January 2010, at 09h00.

Cape Craft Services does it again!

Cape Craft Services, the premier laser cutting and engraving venture in South Africa, has yet again been approached by a national media company to make and supply stencils for distribution with one of their publications as part of an advertising drive.

This kind of request is nothing new to them, with their work having been showcased in a number of lifestyle and decorating magazines, and even on South African national television in the lifestyle program Top Billing. They have had the privilege of working with top international fashion designers as well, where laser technology has been used in the construction of wedding gowns.

With all these accolades, Cape Craft Services has always been built on one basic premise – quality work coupled with great service. No task is considered too small or too big, and even if it means working round the clock, any client approaching them can be assured that his work will receive the same attention, be it for a multinational, or a student project.

Being in essence a family business, run by Howard van der Westhuizen, and supported by his wife Christa, son Jean-Pierre and daughter Gaynor, they have grown from strength to strength and June 2009 marked their 7-year anniversary. “Having grown from humble beginnings”, says Howard, “we appreciate that every job we do is of equal importance to every one of our clients, and we approach each and every job with the same diligence, care and attention to detail.”

This care and attention to detail has brought many a customer to their doorstep time and time again. A good number of their clients are regarded as extended family already, and they are happy to be associated with the van der Westhuizen family, and Cape Craft Services.

Having an in-house designer in Jean-Pierre, who has an acute sensitivity to a client’s vision, you are assured that even if you have to label your stick men when you try and draw something, you will leave with exactly you had in mind. Quite frankly, often the client’s original request is so enhanced by Jean-Pierre’s years of experience in this industry, and his design ideas, they get a superlative product that exceeds their wildest expectations.

Having made everything from key rings to cut wedding dresses, architectural scale models to avant-garde belt buckles, Cape Craft Services has the expertise and technology to bring your ideas to life. Whether you are an interior designer, a promotional products merchandiser, or someone just looking for a unique once-off product, you will find your request dealt with by a group of dedicated professionals ready to provide you with superlative service, advice and value for money.

IF you are interested in seeing a catalogue of past projects, or read more about the accolades they have had in the media, visit http://capecraft.co.za .

Welcome to the Cape Craft Newsletter!

 

Welcome to the Cape Craft Services Newsletter!

 

We are proud to annouce the launch of the revamped and much-improved Cape Craft Services website! Many months in the planning and long weeks in development, it showcases the best of our work, in all of our divisions, and offers functionality that will make your Cape Craft Services website experience one to remember, and want to visit again and again. We in fact urge you to visit often, as there will be regular updates, especially in the galleries, as every new product worth mentioning will be displayed to inspire your next creation we can assist you with.  Take the time to peruse all the services we offer; it has been our experience that even established clients are often unaware of the wide range of requirements we can assist with.

With the launch of the site, we are also embarking on an "industry-first" in South Africa … The Do It Yourself (DIY) Sign. The idea is to offer anyone anywhere the opportunity to specify their vinyl-cut lettering sign requirements, which we will quote on, then cut and have couriered… anywhere in the world.  The sign arrives with application tape already in place, a squeegee and instructions.  All you need to do is either follow the printed instructions (included), or watch the application videos on the site. CLICK HERE to see the videos – they are at the bottom of the page. While the DIY Sign is primarily intended for Vinyl-cut Lettering Signs, you may order full-colour printed Vinyl stickers or any other signage applications. We offer Stencils, and lettering cut from Perspex. Within the next week we will have the functionality to upload your designs directly to us added. In the mean time, send us an e-mail with your design attached.

In terms of functionality, please note the "Contact Us" section, where you have direct access to us to request quotes on your requirements.  We will get back to you within 24 hours (normally that means the next day) unless we are dealing with weekends, public holidays or other unforseen circumstances.

You will also notice we have added a "Clients" section where we feature products developed by our premier clients.  If you are a client and would like to have your final products added in a gallery on our site we will be willing to do so. Drop us a line at contact@capecraft.co.za.

We have also been appointed the first agent for the new Colop Embossing Press. This press allows you to emboss any stationary to make it a unique item, and it does not end at paper!  This press can emboss gold foil, aluminium foil, thin leather, vinyl … The list is as long as your imagination!  It comes in three sizes – Round – 41mm and 51 mm diameter, and rectangular 25 x 50 mm. You WILL be IMPRESSED!!

 

If you have visited the site, you will have notice

Colop Embossing Press

Ever wanted to make your stationary just that bit more unique, or wanted to add some old-world flair to an invitation? An embossed seal (raised emblem) has always been a favourite method of mine, but to get embossed seals done for small runs like invitations has proven to be prohibitively expensive time after time.

Enter the Colop Embossing Press. This handy 2 in one (hand and table) unit brings the functionality of much more expensive processes to the office, home and school without having to pay a premium price. The press presents in three standard imprint sizes, two round selections at 41mm and 51mm in diameter, and one rectangular size measuring 25 x 50mm. The embossing masters (one positive, one negative in between which the medium to be embossed goes) can be retrofitted with new designs of the same shape and size if you choose to have more than one design. The unit itself is compact enough for hand-held use, but an optional table socket is available for use in longer press runs or embossing more sturdy material.

While, as mentioned, seals are a personal favourite, it is by no means the only medium to which the embossing press can be applied. Any material that is flexible enough to be distorted and then can keep this new shape can be used effectively. Aluminium foil, vinyl, paper of various thicknesses, thin plastic, parchment, grease paper, even thin (split-hide) leather … the list can probably go on, but you get the idea. Now that extra-special wedding invitation, your corporate stationary, your institution of learning’s academic diplomas and certificates (or any other application you can think of) can have that hallmark of quality and individuality that will set it apart from the ordinary.

This new little wonder has just arrived on South African shores, and Cape Craft Services has been appointed the first dealer in the Western Cape to carry this as part of their range. They have a long-standing relationship with Colop in South Africa, and have the technology and expertise to custom-make Embossing Press masters to client specifications. Any vector-based image, from the simple to the very intricate, can be used to produce your unique embossing design with which to personalise your stationary, or any other article that will withstand the embossing process. For more information visit their website on www.capecraft.co.za .

How it’s made … Cape Craft Style!

Have you ever seen a really cool keyring or other promotional item made out of perspex, cut into shape and engraved, and then wondered “How do they do that?”.

I recently had the priviledge of finding out “How it is done” … My very own episode of “How its Made”, up close and personal. The educational process was courtecy of Cape Craft Services in Cape Town.

I was amazed to see just what exactly could be produced with their equipment, but more about that later. Let me narrate the process, just as though I was Brooks T. Moore (the narrator of “How its made” … but of course you knew that!).

First, the design is drawn in Corel Draw, because it is vector-based. For those of you that are math-and-science-phobes, this simply means that the design consists of lines and curves that do not lose their resolution when you adjust their size (unlike “graphics” which pixellate when you make them bigger), because vectors are based on mathematical formulas, not coloured dots (pixels). Of course, this then also makes it easy to convert the lines into instructions for the laser engraver / cutter to follow.

Yes, you read right. Laser technology is what makes this world go round. I now felt like I moved onto the set of Star Wars … But enough of the movies, back to reality. Making use of CO2 lasers the design is engraved onto the perspex, and the same laser, at a higher output, cuts the perspex as well. The machinery used an cut a maximum thickness of 20mm, which gives you an idea of the power of the lasers used. The maximum width that can be fit into a machine is 800mm, and as the machine has “pass-through” doors both front and back, it can theoretically fit any length you might require. Because it is computer controlled, and more so because the laser is such a precision tool, every design that is engraved and cut is a perfect replica of the one before.

Up to now we have assumed that perspex is the media that the object is made from, but it certainly does not end there. A myriad of substrates can be used – leather, balsa wood, Supawood, rubber, natural fabrics like silk and cotton (obviously this cannot be engraved, just cut), marble and granite, crystal, glass, metal (which can only be engraved, not cut) to name a few. There are even speciality substrates that is composed of two-colour bonds which reveals the second colour when the top layer is burnt off – perfect for signs and display items.

Speaking of signs and display items which Cape Craft Services does on a daily basis, let me tell you bit more about what this highly professional company can do. They specialise in custom-making trophies for any occasion, crafters blanks, acrylic display units, stensils in a variety of sizes and vinyl-cut signage. Anything you can imagine that can be made from any of the materials mentioned, they will be able to help you with. During my visit a client wanted a sewing guide re-made, and they were able to do this by scanning the original (which was broken), producing a vector-based image of the original, and cutting a perfect replica, with every hole and guidemark in exactly the same place as the original!

Now next time you see a cool promotional item, you will know “How it is made!” If you want more information about Cape Craft Services, visit their website www.capecraft.co.za.

Colop Self-inking Stamps Green Line

Cape Craft Services is proud to be a Premier Colop Partner, having been appointed as a
dealer for their whole range of self-inking stamps and embossing press.  We are joining Colop by providing the newest of their product range as part of our service offering.  Having the laser cutting and engraving machinery required to machine new stamp pads on the spot, we can offer our clients a complete stamping solution in record time.

Colop Self-Inking Stamps have joined the “Green” initiative by creating a “Green Line” that includes the seven most popular stamp sizes and mechanisms where the plastic components of the stamps are a made of a minimum 80% recycled material.  While there has always been a drive towards ecologically friendly products within the company, this line takes this initiative to the next phase by guaranteeing the level of re-useable or eco-friendly biodegradeable components.  For their Classic Line items included in the Green Line, the handles have been made from natural wood, in a choice of Beech or Acacia.  Cape Craft Services is commited to providing clients with these “greener” options whenever possible, at the same price as the corresponding “non-green” options.

In keeping with responding to client requests, Colop has also updated the colour schemes of their stamp range to reflect the move towards brighter, more vibrant colours to brighten up the workplace, and keep up to date with the younger generation.  The new colours include Mango, Raspberry and Coconut, and is available in all the popular stamp sizes.  The colour range also extends to two new additions to the stable – the Stamp Pen and the Mouse Stamp 20.  These new additions are perfect for on-the-move applications, as they are lightweight and compact and easy to carry on your person.  The Stamp Pen is a stylish pen (using Parker refills) that has a self-inking pull-out stamp, and the Mouse Stamp opens clam-shell style.

For all you stamping needs you can depend on us to provide you with the right solution, and keep you in line with your personal or company’s “Green Policy”.

Welcome to the Cape Craft Blog!

This is a warm welcome to the Cape Craft Services Blog!  Here is your opportunity to comment on our products, read more in-depth articles about the services we offer, and to have access to our newsletter archive.  Check here often if you are interested in following our doings … it is a window into our day to day operations.

If you have any direct requests in terms of our service offerings, or need a quote, please navigate back to our  Contact Page and send us a message directly.  On the blog you are welcome to leave comments on the articles we post about our services, air your hot-or-not opinion, and make comments about our industry in general.

We look forward to hearing from you!