The Slovak creative industry gained international recognition at this year's Best of the Best typographic competition in New York. Taking home the main prize against contenders from the US, France, Canada, and the Netherlands was Kanovits Print Atelier from Dunajská Streda.
Founder and owner Zoltán Kanovits was considered bold by many when he chose an uncharted path. Spanning time, energy, and significant investment, he dedicated himself to building a cutting-edge digital print studio and laser center. Over forty years of age, the entrepreneur is obsessed with quality. His commitment has borne fruit, making him today one of the most sought-after authorities in digital print. His company has become synonymous with sophistication. He emphasizes that for businesses, image and craftsmanship are the defining elements that set them apart. A progressive company strengthens its brand perception by presenting itself with exclusive print products crafted through specialized surface finishing techniques—and Kanovits Print Atelier is the expert in this high-end design and manufacturing.
From Billboards to Slovakia’s First Laser Studio
The company’s journey began sixteen years ago when, after working in large-format outdoor advertising, Zoltán Kanovits turned his attention to digital printing and founded Kanovits Print Atelier with the goal of showing the public something they had never seen before.
"I realized early on that our clients needed exclusive designs and bespoke solutions," says Kanovits. Over the past decade, the printing industry shifted dramatically toward short-run production, placing large traditional print shops at a disadvantage. This demand required agile, high-speed digital equipment. "We chose this path and were the first in Slovakia to install what was then the most powerful Xerox Color 1000 Digital Press," Kanovits explains. This machine enabled selective spot varnishing to highlight key design accents with a clear gloss finish.
The subsequent Xerox Iridesse took capabilities even further, delivering ultra-high-quality printing with opaque white and metallic tones like gold and silver. Today, the atelier operates both of these advanced presses, complemented by precision laser systems capable of cutting intricate filigree patterns into paper or engraving deeply into leather, wood, acrylic, and glass.
Dedication to Uncompromising Quality
The print submission nominated by Kanovits Print Atelier was originally created for a prestigious graphic arts conference. "It gave digital print experts quite a challenge because they couldn't figure out how it was produced. Later, it won first place in its category at the competition in New York," recalls Kanovits.
"We also won the special Best of Show Award for our corporate calendar and the story behind its production," he explains. Every single page of the calendar was manufactured using a different print and finishing technique to showcase the full range of their machinery. The calendar was distributed to printers and creative directors across 37 countries. One copy reached France, catching the eye of the country’s largest greeting card distributor, who immediately established a partnership with Kanovits.
Exploring the limits of digital embellishment, Mr. Kanovits spent hundreds of hours designing and test-printing. To achieve the most striking visual effects, he printed not only on standard stocks but also on premium French, Italian, and Japanese creative papers. After sharing the results on professional forums, Xerox headquarters took notice. Upon invitation by the global corporation, Kanovits was invited to present to 200 of the world’s top typographers and representatives of 150 elite creative agencies in Vilamoura, Portugal, followed by keynote presentations in Milan, Vienna, and Tokyo.
The Future Has Already Begun
Today, nearly anyone willing to invest in a mid-tier digital press can achieve acceptable color quality. But to create something truly extraordinary, you need something more. "Alongside cutting-edge technology and premium materials, we offer our clients sophisticated design and an extensive range of finishing techniques," says Kanovits. Whether it involves printing in gold, silver, metallic, or opaque white, followed by laser die-cutting or embossing, the atelier executes each step with flawless precision. "We deliver even in short runs—we are ready to produce even a single prototype so the client can hold it in their hands and verify that it’s the exact product they need to stand out. We embrace every challenge, from bespoke business cards and corporate lookbooks to luxury VIP gift boxes," concludes Kanovits.
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When driving through Dunajská Streda, you can't miss Kanovits Print Atelier billboards. But this is far from a standard local print shop. Founder Zoltán Kanovits lectures at exhibitions and conferences worldwide, and they even prepared the launch campaign for the Dunajská Streda branch of fast-food giant McDonald’s.
The Slovak creative industry gained international recognition at this year's Best of the Best typographic competition in New York. Taking home the main prize against contenders from the US, France, Canada, and the Netherlands was Kanovits Print Atelier from Dunajská Streda.
The founder of Kanovits Print Atelier—a company with nearly twenty years of experience producing premium print products and winning global competitions—started out printing simple posters. Today, owner Zoltán Kanovits is proud of the firm's milestones, history, and international clientele.