The first presses and the first call-outs
FlatPress is led by Mandla van Rensburg and works from Midrand, supplying flat heat presses for t-shirts, transfers and short-run garment work. The job includes operator setup, time and temperature guidance, and press checks for customers in Johannesburg and across South Africa.
Those early jobs shaped how the company still works. Set-up needed to make sense, training needed to be easy to follow, and support needed to be close enough to help when problems came up. South African customers were dealing with power cuts, uneven workshop power and tight production schedules, so sound guidance mattered as much as the machine itself.
- First installations completed from the Midrand base
- Operator training built into sales from the start
- Basic temperature checks and pressure adjustments offered early on
Building trust with local decorators
Over time and through the following years, FlatPress started to grow through repeat business and referrals. Small garment decorators wanted more than a box on the floor, they wanted to know how to use it correctly, how to spot faults early and what to do when production stopped. That meant the business had to become more than a supplier. It became a support point for new users and for established shops that needed a second opinion.
During this period, the team expanded its approach to include phone support for common issues, practical demonstrations during set-up and better spare parts handling for the most used wear items. The company also started working with clients beyond Midrand, especially in Johannesburg and Pretoria, where print shops often needed fast help without losing a full day to a machine fault.
- Sales support grew alongside technical support
- Pressure pads, coverings and basic consumables became regular stock items
- Early service calls covered heat consistency, controller faults and alignment issues
From local work to wider Gauteng coverage
As the customer base grew, FlatPress expanded from a mainly Midrand and Johannesburg service point into a wider Gauteng supplier. East Rand and West Rand clients started calling for advice, servicing and replacement parts, especially where workshops ran on tight production schedules and could not carry long downtime. The team learned to work around traffic, loading times and the demands of support across the province.
This period also brought more structured technical work. Riaan Ferreira took a stronger role in technical management, with Ridwaan Peters supporting workshop repairs and fault finding. Preventive servicing became a bigger part of the service mix because many clients found that a planned check was cheaper than waiting for a complete breakdown. It was also around this time that the business became known for straightforward advice rather than complicated explanations, which suited owners and operators who just needed the machine back in service.
- Gauteng service calls increased across Midrand, Johannesburg and Pretoria
- Preventive servicing became a standard recommendation
- Loan unit support started helping clients during repairs and downtime
Training, spares and stronger workshop support
Over time, FlatPress had moved into a more complete support model. Kelebogile Mabena joined to coordinate training, making sure operators did not just receive a machine, but understood how to use it properly for different garments and transfer materials. Nandi Dlamini also strengthened customer support, which helped turn quick queries into quicker solutions. This mattered for shops that were growing from hobby work into proper business operations.
The workshop side also became more specialised. Temperature checks were matched with controller repairs, element replacements and pressure recalibration. Clients who had been using presses for years started to see the value of regular maintenance, especially in humid coastal conditions where corrosion and wear can happen faster. FlatPress also increased focus on spare supply so that a small fault did not have to stop a production run for days.
- Operator training became a dedicated part of the process
- Workshop repairs expanded to include controllers, elements and line checks
- More clients from Durban and Cape Town began using courier supply
Staying useful through pressure and power problems
That period tested many South African businesses, and garment decorators were no exception. Load-shedding, supply delays and changing order volumes meant many workshops had to work harder with less certainty. FlatPress focused on keeping clients operational through practical support, clearer setup advice and repair turnaround that took the pressure off small teams. The point was not to promise perfect conditions, because that was never realistic. The point was to keep presses running as well as possible under local conditions.
During these years, the team leaned heavily on phone tech support, couriered spares and loan unit support. When a press needed a new heating element, a controller repair or a full pressure adjustment, clients could often get guidance before the machine was collected or serviced. For some customers, that advice prevented wasted material and helped them finish urgent jobs before a deadline.
- Phone support became a key service for remote clients
- Courier supply expanded beyond Gauteng to major metros nationwide
- Repair planning improved to reduce workshop downtime
Current support team for South African print shops
FlatPress serves small garment decorators, hobbyists and professional print shops from its Midrand base with a steady mix of new press setup, operator training, servicing and spares supply. The team includes Ntombifuthi Xaba in sales, Riaan Ferreira in technical management, Kelebogile Mabena in training, Ridwaan Peters in the workshop, Nandi Dlamini in customer support and Willem Botha handling logistics and installations. Each role supports the same goal, making flat heat presses easier to buy, use and maintain.
The company now works across Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, East Rand, West Rand and the wider country through courier supply and scheduled support. The service list has grown in step with customer needs, but the approach has stayed practical. Check the temperature. Set the pressure correctly. Replace worn parts before they cause a stoppage. Train the operator well. Keep the customer informed. That way, the press can keep earning instead of standing still.
- New press setup and installation support from Midrand and on site
- Preventive servicing, pressure adjustments and pad replacement for active workshops
- National support for clients who need parts, training or repair guidance
Flat Heat Press Support for South African Shops
Although the company has grown, the original idea has not changed. FlatPress still exists to help South African customers get dependable results from flat heat presses, whether they are starting with a single unit or running several presses in a busy shop. The business still values direct answers, honest service and support that fits the realities of local production, from municipal power interruptions to coastal moisture and tight delivery windows.
That continuity matters. It means a customer who contacts FlatPress today is dealing with a team that understands the daily side of garment decorating, not just the machine in isolation. It also means the company history is really a record of solving real problems year after year, one press at a time. That practical approach still shapes the work, from machine supply to setup, training and repairs.