blog
we have moved!
We're super excited to announce that we have moved into a new state-of-the-art facility alongside our parent company, IVE Group. Our entire production, sales, design and marketing teams can now be found at 30 Beyer Road, Braeside, VIC.
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meet the team: simon tesoriero
Simon Tesoriero joins the AFI team at a busy and exciting time – as the retail, events and exhibition industries are well and truly back in business… and just ahead of AFI’s move to state-of-the-art facilities in Braeside, alongside our parent company IVE. We have a catch up with Simon, AFI’s Business Development Manager to discuss how the industry has changed over the last few years and what lies ahead.
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australian made week: celebrating reframe
ReFrame® – it’s like the Meccano of the signage world. And we’ve been rustling up brand displays with it for nearly 15 years. To celebrate Australian Made week, we take a look back at some of our projects using the versatile ReFrame® – all Australian Made certified of course.
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meet the team: christian aird
With the events and exhibition industries officially back in business, there's no better time to welcome on board our new Head of Client Partnerships, Christian Aird. We sit down with Christian to discuss all things events - the past, the present and the all-important opportunities that lie ahead.
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flying the flag for 30 years
It all started with a flag....and the rest, as they say, is history. Please indulge us as we take a look back over the last few decades and the evolution of AFI Branding into Australia's largest fabric printer.
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lessons from lockdown
As 2021 draws to a close, we found ourselves looking back on a rollercoaster of a ride, not just at 2021 but 2020 too. So we took some time out to catch up with our team to reflect and see what lessons we've learned along the way.
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the revival of events and exhibitions
The last (nearly) two years have hit us all hard, but arguably none much harder than the events and exhibitions industries - brought to a complete standstill overnight. We catch up with AFI’s events and exhibition team to discuss the impact on the industry, the green shoots coming through and what to expect in 2022.
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meet the team: sewing
Behind every eye-catching fabric display is usually a pretty awesome sewing team….and AFI’s is no exception. Every day our highly skilled team come to AFI to work their sewing magic…usually at a mind-boggling speed and always with big smiles on their faces (even behind the masks!) Meet our team and learn what life is like for an AFI sewing machinist.
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industry announcement
As AFI gears up to enter our 4th decade in the print industry in 2022, we have some exciting industry news that we want to share with you.
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the rise of window shopping
We’re calling it: 2022 is going to be the year that window shopping (and dressing) will be coming back, with a bang, onto the retail agenda. Here, we explore how the humble window display should, and could, be used by retailers to emerge strongly from life after lockdown.
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meet the team: alia swordy
Another day and another new face to meet at AFI: Introducing Alia Swordy, our newest recruit and AFI’s Business Development Manager. Based in Sydney, Alia, will be flying the AFI flag with our interstate clients and enjoying face to face meetings on behalf of her Melburnian colleagues (for the moment!)
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it all starts with design
At AFI Branding, we’re big believers in sourcing, producing and manufacturing locally whenever possible. Supporting Australian Made should start right at the beginning, with Australian design. To celebrate Australian Made week, we check in with our in-house Industrial Design team to talk all things design.
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meet the team: yvette dorr
Time for some exciting news! Meet our new Retail Partnership Manager, Yvette Dorr, who has joined the AFI team this month. A familiar face to many in the industry, Yvette will be leading the charge on AFI’s client partnerships and collaborations. We catch up with Yvette to talk about her new role, the changing industry and what she’s most excited about for this new chapter.
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3 aussie campaigns we're loving
Last year AFI Branding received Australian Made certification for our range of ReFrame products. You may have heard; we certainly haven’t been shy in shouting about it! Today we celebrate a selection of Australian campaigns that are doing awesome work to boost our economy and bring businesses and people together.
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introducing ARCHIFrame
You know what the 2021 world of signage needs? A new product to shake things up and to get us excited about. Enter ARCHIFrame – a bespoke fabric display system that brings the frame to the forefront.
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signage trends for 2021
It’s that time of year when we tell you what signage and display trends to look out for in the year ahead. And whilst the current climate may make forecasting a little tricky, there’s a few trends coming through that we’re confident will only gain momentum, whatever 2021 delivers!
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evolve your environment
Question: What do you do when the rules keep changing? (2020 we’re talking to you). Answer: You evolve. It’s one thing changing behaviours like wearing face masks and social distancing but how do you evolve your physical working space? Funny you should ask…at AFI, we have just the solution.
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how to make retail signage work harder
Retail signage is an essential component in the marketing process for converting in store experience into sales. Now, more than ever, physical retail signage and activations need to work hard. Really hard. So as many Victorian stores get ready to reopen their doors, what’s the key to making sure your brand displays are earning their keep?
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print beyond 2020
With the commercial print industry feeling the knock-on affect of many clients being forced to close their stores, postpone their events and cancel exhibitions, we catch up with AFI’s Operations Manager and ProPrint Power 50 nominee, Dan Mantel. We talk about the impact of COVID-19 and what role he sees printers playing in the recovery of the economy.
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in focus: sales in 2020
Sales – what sales? If you’re one of the many industries directly impacted by COVID-19 in a not-so-good way, then your current sales revenue might not resemble your pre-COVID forecasts. We chat with Brad Buchanan, AFI’s Sales Director, about the importance of business partnerships and how to ride the seemingly never-ending storm.
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it's official: aussie, aussie, aussie
Ok, perhaps we’ve been too long in lockdown but we’re beyond excited to announce that our ReFrame® products have received official ‘Australian Made’ certification.
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how to market in a crisis
Professionally, there’s nothing quite like starting a new comms role a week before a global pandemic takes hold. So we check in with our new Marketing Director, Emma Johnstone, to find out about marketing during a pandemic.
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2020: the year of the pivot
Pivot: It’s a term that has been somewhat overused in these ‘unprecedented times’ (and there’s another one). And we’re certainly no strangers to it at AFI - from fabric face masks to hand sanitising stations. So what makes a good business pivot? We catch up with Nick Bolitho who heads up AFI’s new business improvement to get his take on 2020’s buzzword.
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sign of the times: why signage has never been so important
If there’s one thing that’s certain in 2020, it’s that there’s a whole lot of uncertainty out there. Basic rules, social norms and protocols are changing on a weekly, if not, daily basis. So what role does signage play?
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because #heroeswearmasks
What do you do when a pandemic strikes, you've got reams of fabric and a highly skilled sewing team with time on their hands? You make face masks! Introducing our side hustle #heroeswearmasks - a range of colourful fabric face masks for every day Aussies.
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facilitating social distancing through signage
As essential services stay open to serve our community, we've been busy at AFI Branding developing a range of signage solutions to keep staff, customers and patients informed and safe.
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introducing 'be virtual' exhibitions
If your exhibition, event or activation has been cancelled or postponed, AFI Branding is here to help. We have partnered with Platform AV to offer an interim solution whilst the industry is in limbo. We are delighted to introduce the 'be virtual' exhibition service to help brands launch their latest products, services or initiatives - virtually!
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all about life in the exhibition industry
Next up in the interview hot seat is Gavin Sambell, Account Director at AFI Branding. Gavin has an extensive background in the exhibition space, and this month is going to talk us through his life in the exhibition industry. We are lucky to have a guy like Gavin on our team and are delighted to share his knowledge and expertise of all things exhibition!
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5 trends in the exhibition space for 2020
When it comes to the latest and greatest ideas and innovations in the industry, we at AFI like to be at the forefront of it all. In retail, event and exhibition & activation solutions, we take pride in producing displays that are a step ahead of the rest. Let’s take a look at the next big trends happening in the exhibition space for 2020. Here is our top 5 list of trends we are confident will make a big splash next year!
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everything you need to know about printing on fabric
This month, we sat down with our very own Dan Mantel, AFI’s Operations Manager, to talk all things fabric and printing. At AFI Branding, fabric printing is the core of our business as we live and breathe it daily. Fabric offers a versatile and sustainable signage solution, whatever the requirement.
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on your marks…. getting race day ready for the commonwealth games
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games offered 11 unforgettable days of world class sporting competition. AFI Branding and Active Display Group jointly pitched and won the contract to supply and install all signage for the event.
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5 sustainability initiatives we're loving!
At AFI Branding, sustainability is close to our hearts. Since launching our own initiative, we have come across several Australian companies striving to be sustainable. Some are going above and beyond and some are just taking their first steps in becoming sustainable, but at least they are doing something to make the world a better place!
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mobiLED counter – the perfect pop-up counter for any activation!
Meet the mobiLED counter, AFI Branding’s newest product. Whether it’s a display for sampling, live demos, exhibitions, welcome desks or brand activation, our new mobiLED counter is the solution. What is mobiLED you ask? mobiLED is an abbreviation for ‘mobile illuminated.’ Products that are mobiLED are easy to transport, setup and take down, all while encompassing an illuminated element. Make your brand have maximum impact with this innovative, versatile and sustainable signage solution.
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PrintEx19: innovation in the print industry
Attending trade expos and events is an important part of being connected in an industry. Each year PrintEx provides the opportunity for the Australian print industry to come together, showcase new ideas, products and services and catch-up with one another. Many of our team have been in this industry for a long time and have built networks and friendships that now span decades.
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Octanorm® - endless designs to transform your space
Looking to create endless designs with one system? Well look no further, AFI Branding is your only source in Australia for Octanorm® - the world’s leading exhibition and retail point of sale construction system. This adaptable aluminium system can transform your dream space or display effortlessly through freestanding structures, illuminated frames, digital integration and the list goes on.
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be sustainable: launching AFI’s fabric takeback scheme
It’s simple, too much fabric ends up in landfill. At AFI Branding, we print more than 15,000m2 a month and therefore have a responsibility to make a change. We are, therefore, delighted to launch ‘be sustainable’, our fabric takeback scheme and the first of its type within our industry. In partnership with BlockTexx, the ‘be sustainable’ initiative makes it possible for all fabric printed by AFI Branding to be directly returned for recycling.
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survey reveals 63% of consumers prefer in-store shopping!
Data analysis company Blis has released new research findings about consumer shopping habits and trends. And the news is good for bricks and mortar retailers! The survey titled The Real Retail Story, revealed that 63% of consumers prefer in-store shopping experiences over online shopping. Surprised by this statistic? Well, despite a rise in the digital realm, it seems it is lacking a fundamental element… customer experiences.
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globalshop 2019: fabric is the future!
Ok so we may be biased (pun-intended) but it’s official, the future of signage is fabric! We’ve just returned from the GlobalShop 2019 and Retail X tradeshow in Chicago. It’s the world’s largest annual event for retail design, technology and in-store marketing – and is a hub of colour and creativity. We spent a jam-packed three days there exploring all the latest in design, innovation and displays and were not surprised (but obviously delighted) to see fabric signage and displays playing a huge role in both the retail and exhibition space.
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rallying for a cause: AFI Branding, the shitbox rally, and cancer council
Have you been down Australia’s most formidable roads? Well, our Head of Business Development, Nick Bolitho, recently completed 5,150 kilometres from Perth to Sydney in a 10-day event crossing the most isolated regions of Australia’s outback. The Shitbox Rally challenges teams to drive cars worth less than $1,000 across Australia, spreading awareness and raising all-important funds for Cancer Council. The Shitbox Rally has been running for 9 years and in total has raised over $19,000,000 for Cancer Council.
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3 reasons you never knew you needed choreographed signage
Choreography isn’t just for the dancefloor. At AFI Branding, we love bringing brands to life and that’s why we developed the Dynamic Lightbox that gives the illusion of a moving image, but without a moving image. Confused? Let us explain.
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a bold new look: bringing our brand to life
At AFI Branding, our heart and soul goes into bringing your brand to life. So, we decided it ought to be our turn to come to life! We wanted AFI Branding to be as creative, bold, brave and fun as we are, inspiring curiosity and turning heads along the way. Every element of our new branding has well and truly earned its place, from our bolder look, to our fresh new website - we didn’t end up wild and blue by accident!
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wayfinding tips give more than direction
Everything in your store, exhibition or event should assist your customers and reflect your brand personality – including the wayfinding signs. Just because you know how to find every nook in your business, doesn’t mean others will too.
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the signage trends we are loving in 2019
We’re living in an experience-driven world. Consumers want to be engaged, inspired and have that Insta-worthy moment. This year will see brands creating just that for their audiences by combining simplicity, authenticity and technology into their signage and displays. We’re excited to help you bring the following 2019 signage trends to life!
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the hottest exhibition and tradeshow trends in 2017
Interested in seeing the latest in exhibition design trends? So are we… We trekked to visit EuroShop 2017 in Düsseldorf, Germany earlier last month. Taking place every 3rd year, the world’s number 1, retail trade fair was bigger, bolder and more cutting edge than it had ever been and delivered some truly innovative and inspiring…
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3 ways to improve retail sales by integrating digital into the store design
Digital Channels + Retail Signage + Your Store = More Customers While there’s lots of talk about digital in retail design being the next BIG thing, the reality is that it’s just another tool to include in your planning, your store design and in your creative thinking. Why? Because with the ongoing rise of…
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fast fashion – can your signage supplier keep up?
Fast Fashion – can your signage supplier keep up? Fast fashion – just another buzz word? You be the judge but we don’t think so. Fast fashion is best described as the ability to take a product from design concept through to a product available to purchase in the shortest possible time. Arguably the leader…
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clunky display systems creating wasted space in your retail store?
Switch to beautifully branded and invisible product displays with the Magnetic ReFrame System A Visual merchandiser’s job is all about attracting your customer’s attention to your products. Why would you want an unbranded space behind your product shelving? Traditional Slatwalls, Puck Wall Sytems and slotted rails take up valuable marketing space due to being difficult to brand. And…
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pop-up shops offer real customer experience for online retailers
Australian retailers are not slowing down when it comes to the Pop-Up shop trend. And when it comes to online retailers, there’s even more reason to consider a pop up shop. While the customer experience in an ecommerce store has greatly improved in recent years, nothing beats real face to face engagement. Not to mention…
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have you seen the light?
Illuminated retail signage is where it’s at this Christmas. Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? If so you have probably noticed the growing trend of illuminated signage grabbing your attention in some of your favourite retail stores. You may not have noticed the boring, dull, posters/billboards/window signage as the illuminated options far outshines (pun…
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why fabric signage?
Why Fabric Signage? If you are in the retail, events or exhibition industries you may have noticed a steady move towards using fabric as an alternative solution for retail Point of Sale (POS) Displays, Event signage & also Exhibition stands. There are many choices for signage in this space but little information out there on…
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top 5 benefits of using fabric signage
Top 5 benefits of using fabric signage The use of fabric as a signage substrate is rapidly increasing and there are numerous reasons why you should make the move, but if you’ve still not convinced, here are the 5 key benefits you can’t ignore: Fabric is lightweight The weight of your signage impacts…
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3 visual merchandising tips to increase your store traffic
3 Visual Merchandising Tips to Increase your Store Traffic Visual merchandising is the voice of the brand, it’s the vehicle that grabs the shopper’s attention and asks them to feel a certain way about the product or service being offered. Without visual merchandising, the shopper experience would be boring and uninspiring. We have all…
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