What our drawdown panels are used for
Drawdown panels give you a controlled sample of ink on a known substrate so you can judge colour, activation point, adhesion and finish before full production. They are useful for packaging approvals, customer sign-off, new product launches and repeat references when you need to match a job months later. For temperature-sensitive packs, a panel lets you see how the thermochromic effect responds at the intended threshold, not just in a lab note.
Our panels are prepared for packaging converters, print buyers and technical teams that need a physical reference they can keep in the sample room. They are also used when comparing coatings, board grades and film stock, especially where Durban humidity, coastal storage or transport delays can affect print behaviour. A good panel saves time on press and helps avoid dispute over what was agreed.
- Approval samples for customer sign-off
- Side-by-side comparison of colour, opacity and activation
- Reference panels for future repeat batches
- Checks on coating compatibility and surface behaviour
What is included in the panel set
Each drawdown panel is prepared to a defined method so the result can be repeated later. We can supply single panels, matched sets or panels with different thresholds for comparison. Where needed, we also add security features for authenticity checks, such as covert or overt elements that can be verified under the correct conditions.
The output can be arranged as a plain reference sheet or as a more detailed sample set with notes for your production team. When a client needs traceability, we keep retain samples in our batch retain library, which helps when a job comes back after 6 or 12 months and the original board is no longer available.
- Controlled ink drawdown on agreed substrate
- Colour target or threshold target matched to your brief
- Application notes for future repeat work
- Optional retain sample storage for follow-up use
How we prepare the panels in Jacobs
We start with your brief, substrate details and the end use of the pack. Then we select the most suitable ink system, prepare the drawdown and check the panel against the agreed target. If needed, we do a small trial batch before finalising the sample set. Shaun October and Nomfundo Khumalo often work together here, especially where colour shift and threshold tuning need to line up neatly.
Typical steps are straightforward and practical. We keep the process tight so you are not waiting around for weeks, but we also avoid rushing a panel that needs accurate colour or activation behaviour. If the job is going to a converter in Pinetown, Prospecton or further afield in Gauteng, Jason Pillay arranges the dispatch and tracks the route so samples reach you in good condition.
- Brief review and substrate confirmation
- Ink selection, colour matching and threshold set-up
- Drawdown application and drying or curing as required
- Inspection, label and dispatch to your site
Technical details that matter on press
Drawdown panels are only useful if the conditions are close enough to the real job. We therefore work with details like substrate type, coat weight, intended print method, drying system and expected storage conditions. Where a packaging line uses heat tunnels, refrigeration or cold chain handling, we note that too because it can affect both colour response and adhesion. Small differences in board finish or film treatment can make a noticeable change, so we do not treat all panels the same.
Panels can be prepared for visual comparison, rub checks and verification under UV where required. If your pack needs a temperature cue, we set the threshold to the practical point that suits the product rather than a theory on paper. For security work, Pieter van Wyk will include the right verification cue so the panel remains useful beyond colour alone. It is proper hands-on work, not a generic sample out of a file.
- Suitable for board, coated stock and selected films
- Made for visual, rub and UV verification checks
- Can reflect cold chain or heat exposure conditions
- Useful for press setup and production approval
Turnaround, pricing and repeat ordering
Turnaround depends on the complexity of the brief and whether a simple colour reference or a multi-step security sample is needed. Straightforward panels are usually turned around quickly, while jobs that need threshold tuning, compatibility checks or follow-up trial batches take longer. We work to the needs of packaging schedules, because a converter waiting on approval in Johannesburg or Pretoria cannot afford loose timing.
Pricing is based on the number of panels, substrate, ink system, testing required and any retain storage request. We quote clearly so you know what is included. For repeat orders, keeping the original panel on file helps shorten future lead times and can cut down on wasted set-up material. If you need several versions for a client meeting, we can prepare them as a matched set.
- Simple reference panels priced on quantity and substrate
- Complex samples priced on testing and preparation time
- Repeat orders can use retained reference data
- Bulk sample sets are available for multi-site approval
Keeping samples useful over time
Drawdown panels should be stored properly if you want them to remain a dependable reference. Keep them flat, out of direct sun and away from high moisture areas, especially on the coast where humidity can creep in. If the panel is meant for a UV or colour-change pack, store it with the approval notes so anyone opening the file later knows the exact job conditions. We can advise on maintenance intervals and when to refresh a reference sample, as inks and substrates can age differently.
As a general guide, review reference panels every 6 to 12 months, or sooner if the pack structure, substrate or compliance requirements change. In busy packaging plants, it is better to replace an old sample than to keep arguing over a faded one. If a new batch is being planned, we can make a fresh drawdown and compare it directly to the retained sample so the new run starts from a known point.
- Store flat, dry and away from direct sunlight
- Review references every 6 to 12 months
- Refresh sooner if substrate or coating changes
- Use retain samples for future comparisons
Key facts
| Service area | Jacobs, Durban base with deliveries nationwide |
|---|---|
| Panel type | Controlled drawdown samples for packaging approval |
| Substrates | Board, coated stock and selected films |
| Typical uses | Colour approval, threshold checks, repeat references |
| Turnaround | Depends on brief complexity and test requirements |
| Maintenance interval | Review every 6 to 12 months or after material changes |
