2007: A Johannesburg Start Built on Real Production Needs
Bottle Screen Printers began trading in 2007 from Aeroton, Johannesburg, at a time when many local businesses were looking for better ways to brand cylindrical products without relying on outside contractors. The early focus was practical from day one: supply equipment that prints clearly, runs consistently and can handle South African workshop conditions.
From the start, the business worked with bottles, cups and tubes, where alignment and repeatability matter just as much as ink choice. Those first months were shaped by site visits, production questions and straightforward advice about setup, screen making and what it takes to keep jobs moving when orders are small one week and larger the next.
By keeping close to the actual floor conditions in Gauteng, the team learned quickly how dust, heat, power interruptions and operator experience affect output. That experience still guides the way the company works today, from Aeroton to customer sites across the country.
2008 to 2011: Building a Support Process That Customers Could Rely On
In the years after launch, the company expanded beyond supply alone and started building a proper support process around every machine. This included installation, site setup, colour setup help and operator training so customers could begin production with fewer delays and less waste. The emphasis was always on practical results, not theory.
As more businesses came on board, Bottle Screen Printers refined its approach to screen making and screen reclaiming, helping clients get better screen life and more consistent print quality. Those services mattered because many customers needed to run regular repeat work, not just one-off jobs.
During this period the company also learned how different industries use cylindrical printing in different ways. Some customers needed branded drinkware for promotions, while others needed durable marks on containers, cosmetic tubes or industrial packaging. That mix pushed the team to keep improving setup guidance and machine handling.
- Machine installation and commissioning at customer premises
- Training for operators and supervisors
- Screen making and reclaiming support
- Basic print troubleshooting and colour setup help
2012 to 2015: Growing From Local Work Into National Installations
As word spread, the business began taking on more installs outside Johannesburg. Customers in Pretoria, Midrand, Durban and Cape Town started calling for on-site support, and the company responded with a stronger installation and service routine. This was an important step, because the needs of a client in a coastal workshop can differ from those of a plant inland.
Humidity in places like Durban can affect drying and handling, while some inland sites have their own power and ventilation issues to manage. Bottle Screen Printers adapted by offering more detailed site setup advice, better commissioning checks and clearer maintenance planning before machines went into regular use.
These years also helped define the team culture. Every machine handed over had to work properly, and every customer had to know who to call if production stopped. That meant more attention to breakdown repairs, spares supply and preventative maintenance, so downtime could be kept to a minimum.
- First wider roll-out of installs nationwide
- Stronger after-sales support structure
- Preventive maintenance schedules for active production sites
- More spares held for faster turnaround on repairs
2016 to 2019: A Team Formed Around Technical Strength
As the customer base grew, the company’s internal team became more specialised. Thabo Mokoena continued as Managing Director, with Naledi Khumalo strengthening operations, Johan van der Merwe leading technical sales, Anele Dlamini handling installations, Farieda Jacobs supporting production training and Sibusiso Nene coordinating service. That structure gave clients a clearer point of contact for every stage of the job.
This period was not just about size, it was about consistency. More customers needed production optimising, not just a machine drop-off. The team spent more time looking at line speed, cure times, screen condition and how to reduce rework on busy runs. Even small changes, like improving setup order or adjusting the print sequence, could save time and ink.
By this stage, Bottle Screen Printers had become known for straightforward technical support and proper follow-through. The business kept its focus on cylindrical screen-printing machines and screens, making sure that customers could run clean, durable prints across a range of bottle and cup sizes.
2020 to 2022: Staying Useful Through Pressure and Change
Like many South African suppliers, the company had to stay practical during years when many businesses were under pressure from supply delays, interrupted schedules and load-shedding. Clients needed equipment support that did not rely on guesswork. They needed help with planning, backup options and sensible maintenance so production could continue when the power was off or time was tight.
Bottle Screen Printers responded by focusing more on service coordination, training refreshers and preventive maintenance visits. In many cases, the best result was not a new machine but a better-running existing one. A well-set screen, a clean setup and a trained operator can make a big difference to output, especially on repeat orders.
This period reinforced the company’s belief that service is part of the product. Clients across Johannesburg South, Aeroton, Pretoria and further afield could rely on guidance that was grounded in factory conditions, not sales talk.
2023 to Today: Nationwide Support With the Same Hands-On Approach
Today, Bottle Screen Printers continues to work from its Aeroton base while serving businesses across South Africa. The company still supplies cylindrical screen-printing machines and screens for bottles, cups and tubes, but the offer has grown into a fuller support service that includes machine installation, site setup, training, spares supply and breakdown repairs.
The current way of working reflects the company’s history: visit the site, understand the process, set up properly and support the customer after handover. That approach suits businesses that want durable prints and dependable output, whether they are in a small production room or a larger manufacturing facility. It also helps when municipal requirements, workshop layouts and local operating conditions vary from town to town.
What has stayed the same since 2007 is the company’s focus on clear results. The goal is not just to sell equipment, but to help customers print better, waste less and keep production moving. For enquiries, the team continues to work from Johannesburg and can be reached through our contact form.
- Nationwide installs with support from Johannesburg base
- Ongoing training for operators and production teams
- Maintenance planning and repairs for active print rooms
- Practical help for customers working with bottles, cups and tubes