A kaleidoscope of Kochi’s captivating signage scene
Kochi, also called Cochin, is a picturesque port city of Kerala. It has been a port since 1341 when a major flood carved out the harbour that eventually welcomed merchants who sailed from Europe, Arab and China. The city itself is rich in its traditional ethos and other influences. Driving around the city, travelling bandwagon of Sign & Graphics meets a select group of sign makers whose works contribute tremendously to modernising and beautifying this port city. Catch them here and those captivating signage scenes they create!
SignPro System, Unconventional print expert
An ideal centre for UV flatbed printing and out-of-the-box graphic designs, SignPro System is known far and wide for producing highly innovative and unconventional graphics using a line of advanced and versatile machines with features like UV drying and curing inks. Incepted in the year 2013, the company over the last one decade has been using high-level printers from JX Enterprise, a sole supplier of Gongzheng brand of machines in south. “We are quite happy with the value of every machine we buy from JX Enterprise and their dedicated after-sales service,” says Jomon Henry of SignPro System.
He adds that SignPro System as on today is running high-end Gongzheng H3220GN and Gongzheng GZW6090 UV flatbed printers from JX Enterprise, alongside an IQ Demi 10×6 UV flatbed printer. “Over the last ten years, we have been in this area of expertise UV printing on rigid materials,” mentions Jomon. The well-equipped production facility of SignPro System is backed by a team of eight well-experienced and creative printing professionals.
When it comes to considering the client base of SignPro System, the company has many uncommon clients like churches and high-street eateries. “For our clients from different sectors, we have been extensively engaging in various unconventional display graphic projects such as printing directly on glass and other avant-garde media. In this, we have been involving in execution of wall graphics (on glass) for churches.” In addition to Kochi, SignPro has clients in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Gujarat.
Jyothi Print, Creator of offbeat solutions
Under the tagline ‘Let’s Communicate …’ Jyothi Print is one of the popular print service providers in Kochi. As it was called Special Ways Media earlier, the company transpired into the current name as a new brainchild of Shiju, who reincarnated the company barely nine months ago and it has now garnered a new standard stature. “We are provider of exclusive signage/display solutions for customers of all kinds from different industrial clusters,” he says, adding that the company is empowered by a handful of high-end machines from JX Enterprise and others.
He continues, “As long as we say something about our works and turnkey solutions, we take care of projects which stand alone amid the crowds.” The vigour in overall outcomes and superb quality in graphics in every project Jyothi Print has handled in and around Kochi is an upshot of the versatile and advanced machines running in the company’s colossal and state-of-the-art production facility. Two key machines in the facility are Gongzheng GZC3216 and Gongzheng GZC3202SG Plus—both from JX Enterprise.
“When it comes to handling projects of different scales and applications, we are totally satisfied with the machines we buy from JX Enterprise. In addition, they give us best ever after-sales service and support,” comments Shiju. A team of 48 well-experienced printing professionals is the vital force behind Jyothi Print’s unconditional works and outputs. The company has completed many indoor & outdoor signage and promotional projects for corporate clients like JK Tyres, Voltas, Duroflex, Muthoot Finance, etc, in Kochi or all over Kerala and some cross-border destinations like Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. About the company’s next step plan, Shiju says they are looking at bringing home a UV system soon.
J&I Advertisers, Complete solution provider
A unique trait of J&I Advertising is its exclusive trust in Gongzheng printers, which are supplied and installed by JX Enterprise, a one-stop dealer of Gongzheng in south India. “We have been dedicated as devotee to Gongzheng printers over the last one decade or so. This technology platform gives the best vibe of what we require in terms of quality, speed and productivity in complete designs & graphic prints,” mentions Navin Kuriakose, Proprietor, J&I Advertisers.
He adds, “Ever since our inception in the year 2012, we have been closely partnered with JX Enterprise and a handful of Gongzheng systems from them give us unprecedented mileage as well as innovative graphics as per the desire and demand of our customers.” As of now, J&I Advertisers’ production facility is equipped with a row of Gongzheng systems, viz. Gongzheng GZM 3200 KM Plus UV roll-to-roll, Gongzheng GZM 3202 SG, Gongzheng ThunderJet AC1601S eco-solvent and Gongzheng GZM 3202 SG (Starfire).
“Rather than the machines, we are quite happy and satisfied about the after-sales service support of JX Enterprise. We have a handful of corporate clients who are highly quality conscious. They are delighted with what we provide them. Some of our key customers include Indian Oil, HPCL, Samsung, to name a few,” says Navin, adding that they closely tie up with mid-agencies in their clientele across Kerala and many cross-border cities and towns in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. A highly skilled team of 42 staff is the vigour behind the overall jive at J&I Advertising.
Universal Marva’s Digital World, Heading for new ventures
Universal Marva’s Digital World, a one-stop solution corner for all sorts of applications, the company is now heading towards a new venture with the opening of a new sister concern called Media Tricks. Firdous VS, Proprietor, Universal Marva’s Digital World, remarks, “Over the last five years we have been venturing into the world of signage and display solutions.” He adds that the region’s signage and graphic arts market is tremendously growing with increasing demands from all market segments.
Situated strategically on the fourth floor of Apple Tower at Palarivattom, now Universal Marva’s Digital World has taken up two new tasks to carry its business forward. First, the company has recently invested in a new Gongzheng GNZ 3202SG Plus and its new vertical Media Tricks is now aggressively running with a new focus on newer applications. Firdous mentions that Media Tricks is barely a few months old.
He adds, “Main tasks at Media Tricks will more or less be on interior graphics and decors.” Some of the key customers of Universal Marva’s Digital World include big brands like Hindustan Petroleum (HP), SBI, Subway, Maruti Suzuki, etc. Other then the Gongzheng printer, the company’s production setup is equipped with a MIMAKI JV33-160 BS eco-solvent printer, Unilami cold laminator, etc. The company has a strong team of 40 printing professionals at its facilities that have to be upgraded with CNC machines soon.
Royal Traders, Signified source of materials
Dexterity and prospect of any signage market in any region is defined by the supply chain engaging in dealership of machines and media. In this respect, Kochi has a handful of media/consumable suppliers. However, one among all is Royal Traders, new but expanding aggressively with constant upgrade of its product portfolio comprising best-in-class acrylic sheets. “We predominantly deal in acrylic sheets of all grades,” says Jamon Davis, Proprietor, Royal Traders.
Barely one-year-old in the market, Royal Traders is an offshoot of JJ Plastics. “Our parent company, JJ Plastics, is a 15 years old company in the region’s signage market. We have been serving a good number of print service providers (PSPs) situated in different corners of Kochi,” mentions Jamon, adding, “Normally, we supply now around 10 lakh acrylic sheets per month and looking ahead to increase in the volume of supply as our client base is gradually expanding.”
Backed by a team of six employees taking prompt action in delivering the materials to any PSP based anywhere around Kochi. “In addition to the acrylic sheets, we have a portfolio of finished products. These finished products are promotional items especially designed and made for some corporate and local customers,” says Jamon conclusively adding that their end-products include some LED boards and illuminated display solutions.
Signtek, For everyone of any scale
A printing corner using all platforms of digital printing technologies, Signtek was incepted in the year 1997 as a mere sign shop engaging in some odd jobs of graphic designing and fabrication tasks. Telling about the company’s business voyage, Seby Thomas, Partner, Signtek, narrates, “After we came across the shift of changes in terms of advancements developed on technology front in the digital large-format printing, it was our decision to give little more focus on signage printing and production.”
“Right at the beginning, we were called Title Graphics Pvt Ltd and our main jobs revolved around commercial printing before we exclusively hooked to digital large-format printing through Signtek. It doesn’t mean we have terminated our commercial printing. We still have the commercial printing unit where equipped an advanced Xerox Versant 280 colour digital press and others,” says Seby.
He continues, “And our digital large-format printing unit is equipped with a line of high-end printers, perfectly chosen for premium graphics for indoor and outdoor display applications. Of them, two key printers are HP Latex 700W and Flora UV printers. A team of 60 highly skilled printing professionals handles the production facility of Signtek, who never fail to meet the need and deadlines of their key customers like HDFC, Jio, Vodafone, Hindustan Petroleum, among many others.
AimOoh Media India, Another level of OOH
Connect with an experienced signage and OOH advertising professional! “I have 20 years of experience in the signage and OOH advertising industry. I have been instrumental in the growth & success of AimOoh Media India Pvt Ltd, Arnon Media Pvt Ltd, and G9 Advertising,” says Alex Michael, Managing Director, AimOoh Media India Pvt Ltd. He adds, “Our offices are strategically located in Kochi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Coimbatore.”
He continues, “We offer a wide range of services, including signage manufacturing, OOH advertising, interior designs and corporate branding. We have executed turnkey signage and OOH projects for corporate clients using diverse ultra-modern platforms and technologies like LED signage, digital signage, digital TV, etc. G9 Advertising is devoted to creating high-end and highly innovative signage and promotional graphic applications.”
So far so good, the company has accomplished a string of landmark projects, worth mentionable among them is the Digital LED Wall Advertising at Sabarimala in Pamba, Kerala. It’s a destination visited by more than five crore annual visitors from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. “Connect with us to showcase your brand on a vibrant, dynamic LED display. Engage a diverse and large audience effectively using such eco-friendly and modern advertising in a spiritual destination,” says Alex. Alex is District President of SPIA Ernakullam.
Jerry’s Print Shop, Full-fledged print destination
A printing resort for all kinds of applications, Jerry’s Print Shop is a treasure trove for high-profile clients from diverse industrial clusters. Unlike usual print service providers, this full-fledged print destination welcomes customers with all backgrounds and professions. Jerry (Gerard Chandy) of Jerry’s Print Shop narrates, “As a print company we were incorporated in the year 2002 as a pre-press solution. In the following year and in 2004 we upgraded our facility with advanced equipments for both commercial and wide-format graphics.”
He adds, “Some of the revolutionary machines running productively at the facility of Jerry’s Print Shop are Xerox 1000 digital production press for commercial printing and some high-end digital large-format systems like HP Latex 700W, ColorJet POLO Turbo, Roland VersaCAMM VS-640, etc.” The facility is backed by manpower of 60 well-experienced printing and production professionals. However, the team ties up with third party staff when required extra efforts in execution of large-scale projects.
Bringing ideas to life and giving an edge over others, Jerry’s Print Shop offers everything under one roof. The end products include everything, right from business cards, movie posters, contour cut stickers up to cut-out promotional indoor and outdoor graphics. Client base of the company includes a host of big corporate brands like Milano Ice Cream, Quintet Solutions, among others as well as a bunch of regular walk-in individuals.
Hi-Tech Advertisers & Printers, One-stop solutions for all
Located strategically in North Avenue in Kochi city, Hi-Tech Advertisers & Printers has been a destination full of creative works for every customer from all market segments. The company’s works and activities comprise a range of applications that standout unique and receive a lot of appraisal. Shareef PH, Proprietor, Hi-Tech Advertisers & Printers, comments that they make themselves well equipped with the latest and modern equipments. He adds, “Current machines in our facility are ideal for creating premium graphics.”
Since its inception in the year 2004, the production facility of Hi-Tech Advertisers & Printers has been upgrading in time in accordance to the increasing needs and demands of their customers. “We work for a handful of corporate clients from different market segments. They are quite contented and nodded satisfactorily for what we deliver, which means on-time delivery of projects pertaining to both indoor and outdoor promotional projects,” mentions Shareef, adding that some key machines in the portfolio include HP Latex 310 and others.
Long-term customers of Hi-Tech Advertisers & Printers include Vodafone, Airtel, Jio, to mention a few. When asked about the next-level development on the technology/machine front, Shareef emphasises on metal laser cutting technology with which they would like to move ahead towards a new vertical of innovative and alluring graphics and one-stop solutions for all. Key customers of Hi-Tech Advertisers & Printers are dotted across the length & breadth of Kerala.