About Us

Art Publishers (Pty) Ltd: Who we are and what we do

Art Publishers is a South African image-based publishing, apparel and souvenir company. Art Publishers employs 75 people, produces 2 000 product lines and has distribution centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban servicing over 1 200 South African retail outlets.

What makes it special?

AP has two core strengths:

• Content: AP is a market leader in conceptualizing, developing and producing image-based content across a range of product lines, including books, postcards, calendars, diaries, T shirts, caps, socks, souvenirs, stationery, tableware;
• Sales and Distribution: AP is an established distribution company that has been in business for 60 years and is currently servicing over 1 200 South African retail outlets with products generated from within AP and on behalf of third parties;

Solid Foundation

The company’s traditional business has focused on serving the inbound South African tourism market.

There is a Durban-based content team that includes four graphic designers, a photographer, in-house repro department, T shirt and souvenir factory producing products which are marketed and sold by a national sales team of 12 sales representatives and merchandisers.

Moving into the Future

Using the established business as a foundation for expansion, AP is active in generating new business in the following areas:

• moving into new areas of product development using local content aimed at an international market, such as co-publication with PQB of Great White, and the rights to bring out an internationally-oriented range of tableware using the artwork of Frans Groenewald;
• seeking international product lines that can be sold into the South African market, particularly in terms of new titles;
• a 2010 souvenir and apparel product development initiative with a strong emphasis on the South African flag;
• Providing more depth to existing image-based content;
• Offering corporate customers customized solutions for in-house gifts;
• the development of branded products on behalf of third parties, particularly in sports licensing and merchandising, that can be used to service the existing retail client and sponsorship base

Examples of some of our book titles follows. A selection of new and bestselling titles have been selected from over 80 books currently listed in our catelogue.

> JUNE 2009 - NEW DIRECTION FOR SA TOURISM PUBLISHING BUSINESS