A b o u t | H i s t o r y
Southern Cross is now caretaken by Stratton Todd Knightley Simpson, grandson of the founder Phillip Knightley who kicked things off in 1946. Initially, we were the R&D arm of Southern Cross Flags and fostered great relationships with Southern Cross Visual, Glass Craft, WAVA, The Flag Centre, Steed Signs, Fenwick Signs, and have traded since the Olympics in Sydney year 2000 as Southern Cross International.
Our little experiment in a shed in Five Dock NSW, kicked off the industry in Australia for fabric printing in 1983. Back then it was a Nova jet converted with dye dispersal inks and some old polyester something or other. It took 2 days to print the square metre of fabric properly. Then, as we tried to heat set it with an iron and an Elna press, somehow we managed to melt the fabric to the table. Daniel O'Hana from Fenwick Signs was present at this creative leap and without his persistence, the first Aussie digital fabric print would never have occurred.
Nowadays a good digital printer will print and cure a metre of fabric in about 10 minutes. A lot of water under the bridge and many lessons learned. Printing is just part of the manufacturing process. Gathering the information, sorting through artwork challenges, sewing, finishing, placement of the articles and even installation with qualified trade’s people. Signage somewhere in the future, will eventually become as easy as it should be..
My Promise to you
As the customer I appreciate your needs are unique to your inquiry. Some of the unique information might be:
Over the years we've learned to ask specific questions to understand the customers needs. Learning how to assist in the signage
process is a skill and we’re here to help.
Company Background
Established initially as the R&D arm of Southern Cross Flags, most of the senior mob were from Sans Souci, Manly and Katoomba. We’ve dabbled in sandblasted glass, Ode lights for RSL Clubs, Eye charts for Doctors and bookies boards, Bunting streamers, sashes, ribbons, bannerettes and all sorts of printed fabrics. Southern Cross International is digitally printing polyester fabric; both single and double sided for indoor and outdoor usages. The market place has now become a sophisticated arena for corporations to move to the soft side of signage. Fabric is now adorning show rooms, Display Villages, Theatres, Exhibitions, Commercial premises and so on. “ The Fabric of Life” It’s everywhere. Look around and I guarantee that within 1 metre of where you are when you read this, there will be something made of fabric. Maybe even the clothes you’re wearing right now ?
Client Sampling
Australian Olympic Committee, Ausflag, Department Of Corrective Services, Department Of Defense RAAF Base Richmond, Department of Education, Department Of Infrastructure, Department Of the Prime Minister, Sydney International Aquatic \ Athletics, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney Opera House, Tourism Australia, Schools, Universities, Councils, Chamber of Commerce, Corporate and Private companies.
Consultant Expertise
Southern Cross International has been able to connect to and provide experienced people in and around the design and event market, including project directors and managers, event managers, engineers, architects, landscape architects, interior designers and manufacturers.
Project Management
Project managers have on average 5 years’ experience in the logistics of planning, critical scheduling, and documenting large print and signage programs to absolute deadlines. Seniors in this area possess more than 20 years industry experience.
Graphic Design
The design requires our firm to constantly be creative, ensuring the design is applied across a wide range of products, without compromising the intrinsic components within the design. With design, there is beauty, efficiency and profitable function. In the manufacturing, there is application, manufacture, finishing and delivery. A beautiful design could quite easily be compromised if it were displayed on an inferior article. Our Promise is to use our experience to make the whole process fast, stress free, delivering the agreed articles on time and to budget.
Writing
Studied and practical skills in technical writing, messages and editing of reports, critical communication skills in language and understanding. English (ESL), French and German.
Computer Skills - IT
Extremely high levels of IT skills are present within Southern Cross International. Staff are aware of the ever-changing software market and accordingly we’re always utilising the current market standards as our benchmark. PC and Macintosh based computers are utilised daily for the design, administration and manufacture processes.
Quality Assurance
We follow quality assurance in accordance with ISO 9001. Our procedures would follow the guidelines as set out in this standard for the project required.
Installation Experience
All applicable licenses are obtained with reference to all external equipment installations. Specific for Cherry pickers, cranes, rigging, etc, are also undertaken as requested. Within the group we have hands on Installation experience of more than 50 years, which makes discussion with contractors simple and cuts out all the time lost in jargon and double speak.
Our people are committed to discuss your requirements quickly, provide an accurate estimation, and deliver within your budget, and on time. Email [email protected] or Contact (02) 9475 0863 to discuss your next event, promotion, brand launch, Council, Dealership, Corporate or School enquiry.
I look forward to being of service.
COPYRIGHT 1994 - 2024 We all know The Global financial Crisis (GFC) and Covid changed the world, Southern Cross evolved into just me
as a sole trader [email protected] **ALL RIGHTS RESERVED**
Contact on (02) 9475 0863 - If you prefer to email - [email protected]
Site last updated - 10.06.2024
Our little experiment in a shed in Five Dock NSW, kicked off the industry in Australia for fabric printing in 1983. Back then it was a Nova jet converted with dye dispersal inks and some old polyester something or other. It took 2 days to print the square metre of fabric properly. Then, as we tried to heat set it with an iron and an Elna press, somehow we managed to melt the fabric to the table. Daniel O'Hana from Fenwick Signs was present at this creative leap and without his persistence, the first Aussie digital fabric print would never have occurred.
Nowadays a good digital printer will print and cure a metre of fabric in about 10 minutes. A lot of water under the bridge and many lessons learned. Printing is just part of the manufacturing process. Gathering the information, sorting through artwork challenges, sewing, finishing, placement of the articles and even installation with qualified trade’s people. Signage somewhere in the future, will eventually become as easy as it should be..
My Promise to you
As the customer I appreciate your needs are unique to your inquiry. Some of the unique information might be:
- Size & shape (are they to be square, rectangle, pennant shaped, horizontal, vertical etc.)
- Colours (now we're able to print digitally, multiple colours are just part of the process, NOT extra per colour, however how much of the fabric is
- covered with ink is relative as is the actual colour choice. All fabric starts out white and if you want black for example, we need to lay down a lot of ink to make sure you're black is really black and not dark grey, I hope his makes sense.)
- Total numbers (helps me figure out which process I use)
- Indoor or Outdoor (will it be for one or the other or both)
- Substrate choice (which kind of fabric, PVC or other material is to be used)
- Longevity (short campaign or longer life required)
- Finishing required (what type of sewing, clips, velcro, eyelets, cords, bungee, etc.)
- Final placement (if I know where they are going it helps me advise the finishing)
Over the years we've learned to ask specific questions to understand the customers needs. Learning how to assist in the signage
process is a skill and we’re here to help.
Company Background
Established initially as the R&D arm of Southern Cross Flags, most of the senior mob were from Sans Souci, Manly and Katoomba. We’ve dabbled in sandblasted glass, Ode lights for RSL Clubs, Eye charts for Doctors and bookies boards, Bunting streamers, sashes, ribbons, bannerettes and all sorts of printed fabrics. Southern Cross International is digitally printing polyester fabric; both single and double sided for indoor and outdoor usages. The market place has now become a sophisticated arena for corporations to move to the soft side of signage. Fabric is now adorning show rooms, Display Villages, Theatres, Exhibitions, Commercial premises and so on. “ The Fabric of Life” It’s everywhere. Look around and I guarantee that within 1 metre of where you are when you read this, there will be something made of fabric. Maybe even the clothes you’re wearing right now ?
Client Sampling
Australian Olympic Committee, Ausflag, Department Of Corrective Services, Department Of Defense RAAF Base Richmond, Department of Education, Department Of Infrastructure, Department Of the Prime Minister, Sydney International Aquatic \ Athletics, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney Opera House, Tourism Australia, Schools, Universities, Councils, Chamber of Commerce, Corporate and Private companies.
Consultant Expertise
Southern Cross International has been able to connect to and provide experienced people in and around the design and event market, including project directors and managers, event managers, engineers, architects, landscape architects, interior designers and manufacturers.
Project Management
Project managers have on average 5 years’ experience in the logistics of planning, critical scheduling, and documenting large print and signage programs to absolute deadlines. Seniors in this area possess more than 20 years industry experience.
Graphic Design
The design requires our firm to constantly be creative, ensuring the design is applied across a wide range of products, without compromising the intrinsic components within the design. With design, there is beauty, efficiency and profitable function. In the manufacturing, there is application, manufacture, finishing and delivery. A beautiful design could quite easily be compromised if it were displayed on an inferior article. Our Promise is to use our experience to make the whole process fast, stress free, delivering the agreed articles on time and to budget.
Writing
Studied and practical skills in technical writing, messages and editing of reports, critical communication skills in language and understanding. English (ESL), French and German.
Computer Skills - IT
Extremely high levels of IT skills are present within Southern Cross International. Staff are aware of the ever-changing software market and accordingly we’re always utilising the current market standards as our benchmark. PC and Macintosh based computers are utilised daily for the design, administration and manufacture processes.
Quality Assurance
We follow quality assurance in accordance with ISO 9001. Our procedures would follow the guidelines as set out in this standard for the project required.
Installation Experience
All applicable licenses are obtained with reference to all external equipment installations. Specific for Cherry pickers, cranes, rigging, etc, are also undertaken as requested. Within the group we have hands on Installation experience of more than 50 years, which makes discussion with contractors simple and cuts out all the time lost in jargon and double speak.
Our people are committed to discuss your requirements quickly, provide an accurate estimation, and deliver within your budget, and on time. Email [email protected] or Contact (02) 9475 0863 to discuss your next event, promotion, brand launch, Council, Dealership, Corporate or School enquiry.
I look forward to being of service.
COPYRIGHT 1994 - 2024 We all know The Global financial Crisis (GFC) and Covid changed the world, Southern Cross evolved into just me
as a sole trader [email protected] **ALL RIGHTS RESERVED**
Contact on (02) 9475 0863 - If you prefer to email - [email protected]
Site last updated - 10.06.2024
