With the establishment of Grafix, 25 years ago, we started our story in which we wanted to create a complete system for providing production services in the field of commercial graphics, based on knowledge, professional organization and market orientation. It is a story created from many “for the first time in our country” chapters that were both a business challenge and the happiness of creation.
93 | 95 … INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS AND BEGINNINGS
We have been working since our student days, “impressing” clients with conceptual solutions made on then rarely used computers. The pioneering but extensive business of branding city buses in Belgrade led to the founding of our own company – Grafix.
96 | 99 … KNOWING AND KNOWLEDGE FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH US
In the mid-1990s, the period of high inflation was fading away, and the market for commercial graphics was developing. That was the period when in our country companies started to accept trends from abroad, and more and more of them wanted the product to communicate at the point of sale with large photos, promotional and presentational means of commercial graphics. We followed them and developed production and “know how” at Grafix.
One of the most significant, ground-breaking jobs at that time was the branding of the Sport Café in Belgrade with the largest graphics in the interior at that time.
The wall with Serbian athletes occupied a space of 12×4 m. (printing lasted 10 days, 16 hours a day).
Another technology is 3M Scotchprint
We were chosen and trained by the best, then undisputed American 3M. At that time, the best American technology provided products of excellent quality, previously unseen on our market.
We followed trends and technologies, and brought them to Serbia soon after they appeared.
Our story thus became unique.
In October 1998, for the first time in our country, we produced an autograph in full color (do we need to mention that we came up with this coin?) – it was a Peugeot Partner for Sector watches.
For the first time, we made illuminated advertisements in full color with photographs. For the first time, advertising banners could be photographs and not be limited to text in one or two colors… This is how our story gained institutional importance.
00 | 04 NEW MILLENIUM FROM “LARGE” TO “WIDE”
The beginning of the new millennium brings an acceleration and growth of ambition in the size of the format and the speed of production. The American technology that inherits from 3M is Vutek. New technological progress catapults us into the sphere of industrial production. We are moving the production headquarters to BIGZ’s building, at that time the only industrial facility for printing.
We were the first to produce MEGA graphics, over entire buildings, where the Slavija Hotel in Belgrade proved to be the right medium, i.e. a suitable object for a 600m2 mesh.
There is an expansion of the use of commercial graphics “in door” in retail spaces, as well as “out door” on vehicles, billboards… Given that we are licensed manufacturers of 3M commercial graphics from the very beginning, we get jobs for the entire car fleets of companies such as Pepsi, Knjaz Miloš, Coca Cola… At that time, even 9 out of 10 vehicles you saw on the street came from Grafix.
In 2003, Grafix marked 10 years of existence with large-format graphics at the Yugoslav Drama Theatre. The very next year, in 2004, we complete the Vutek printing division with 7 large format printing machines.
05 | 08 … NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND NEW BUILDING
And then in 2005, we conquer UV technology. Printing starts directly on plate materials. With this, we expanded our portfolio of services and products, at the same time making products that were technologically impossible to make until then.
In 2008, we started work on the project of our office building – a specialized factory for the production of commercial graphics.
09 | 12 … GETTING OUT OF THE WORLD CRISIS AND IMMIGRATION
In 2009, we broke another record: in 6 days we printed and finished 12,000 m2 of banners for the “Zavala” project in Montenegro. A dramaturgical moment exists in every story, so it didn’t pass by ours either. The world crisis spilled over into our country, here of course with its own specifics, including the fact that it will last longer than at the place of origin.
Nevertheless, already in 2012, we are recording growth again. That year, we moved into our office building of over 5,000 m2, a kind of center for the development of ideas.
13 | 18 … NEW ERA AND NEW REQUIREMENTS
In the new age, technological development and client expectations were no longer the main challenges. We marked the 20th anniversary – with the project “People in large format” and the slogans “20 years – only graphics without politics”.
New equipment belonged to the new factory. From 2014 to 2017, we completely renovated all printing machines, printers and finishing machines. Our new printing capacities are 471 m2/h, correspondingly 11,000 m2/day, 250,000 m2/month…, many times more than the market demands and enough for every “peak”.
In addition, both high resolution and large format are no longer basic requirements. The resolution has reached the photographic level. Top organization has become a new, additional challenge. That’s why we introduced EN ISO 9001, OHSAS 180001, Fogra PSD standards.
(UN)FAIR COMPETITION.
OR HOW TO STAY CONSISTENT
Competition” appeared on the margins of our story, which, unfortunately, brought about a drastic drop in quality. Both in billboard printing and in other segments of commercial graphics. By selling the “same quality for a lower price”, they deliver a much lower quality. That trend is maintained and the lower price has become imperative in the choice of suppliers. Honor to the exceptions, but the price is the dominant criterion. For this reason, we are now all witnessing actually “anti-advertising” on delivery vehicles, billboards or all other types of commercial graphics. With its many years of work, Grafix has positioned itself as someone who provides uncompromising quality – our clients know this and that is why they have been cooperating with us for many years to mutual satisfaction.
TODAY
COMPLETE AND ORDERED SYSTEM
Today we are arranged. We have systems, standards and procedures. Organization. Our showroom is a place where we solve problems with clients with the speed of ready-made solutions. Our sales room leads clients through quick and simple communication, with daily control of incoming and outgoing business. Our warehouses are tidy and regularly supplied with the necessary material. Our logistics is our support in mechanization and transport. Our production is planned and controlled. Our story is complete today.
The story of Grafix is also the story of commercial graphics in this area. A story full of people, products, services, clients, work, success… the story we write
for 25 years, it seems like it’s just getting started.
Are you a part of it or are you yet to become one?
Your GRAFIX.
Both image and opportunity.
