Southan's son Dylan, aged 19 years, and Mathew Burke, aged 27 years, started their apprenticeships with Original Screen three years ago.
Cyril Southan believes the apprentices make a good combination. He says, "As operators they contribute in different ways: one brings an eye for colour and detail, the other excels in operations of the press. But, to be honest, they are very close in their abilities and how they apply themselves. Their talents overlap very well."
He gave them significant responsibility and autonomy in the Wella Koleston work. He says, "The procedure that took place on this particular job was that I gave the apprentices the task to set the press up and run up the job for registration and colour then they would bring a print to me for approval. From this stage, we compared it to the proof and we examined colour values and overall content as a print also taking into account what the client was looking for cosmetically.
"As apprentices, I allowed them to comment on what they see and what they would change to get a result. Once we agreed on content, and they had a signed sample, they got the okay to run. It was their responsibility to maintain the standard throughout the run. Their main contribution to this job was they maintained the quality and registration throughout the run and got the job out on time for delivery. Basically the job was theirs, from start to finish, once they had approval."
Both apprentices felt overwhelmed by the award. Southan says, "To be judged by your peers and those from other aspects of the print industry and regarded as the best overall is very special. Dylan hopes that it will look very nice in his CV for future reference. Mat thinks it will take him sometime to get over the fact that their work was judged best in New Zealand. As they both know, there is some very nice work being produced from all aspects of the industry in this country. And, of course, pleasing some very tough judges is no mean feat."
Not resting on their laurels, the apprentices want to move forward now. Southan says, "Mat has not long completed an information technology course and is now taking charge of our Prepress room, briefing files for both our digital process and our screen as we also process our own film in house for screen. He wishes, at this stage, to develop his talents in this area first before making any plans for the future. Dylan is keen to progress and better himself within the industry. At such a young age he says he still has more to learn before he makes a move within the print industry. I think Dylan may be New Zealand's youngest ever apprentice in screen printing."
Grateful for the encouragement offered by Pride In Print's Sue Archibald, Southan says, "Without her persistence this would have not have come about. She is a great ambassador for Pride In Print New Zealand." Feeling proud and humble at the same time, he says, "Original Screen was the first screen print company to win this award, and to win it for a second time is an amazing result. And for two apprentices to print the job: how fitting is that?"
