What We Pull From Your Previous Order
For a repeat order, the quickest route is to start with the last approved job. Our team checks the batch record, the colour target, the substrate notes and any press feedback from the earlier run. If the order included thermochromic behaviour or a security feature, we also confirm the trigger point, activation response and the print position on pack.
Sibusiso Mthembu and the team in Jacobs use the retained sample library to confirm what was approved, not just what was mixed on the day. That matters when the pack has to perform the same way on fresh film, carton board or laminated material. If there was a coastal storage issue, heat exposure during transport or a change in coating, we flag it before production starts.
How To Request A Repeat Batch
You can send a repeat request through the enquiry form on our contact page and include the previous reference details. The more complete the handover, the faster we can confirm the match and book production. If you are a converter in Pinetown, Prospecton, Johannesburg or Pretoria, we can work from the same record set and arrange delivery to your site.
- Previous approval reference or job number
- Packaging type and print process
- Required quantity in litres or kilograms
- Any changes to substrate, coating or drying conditions
- Delivery location and preferred turnaround date
Even when the spec looks identical, we still check the job against current stock, batch age and the intended application. That keeps repeat orders consistent and avoids surprises on press.
Matching Colour, Trigger Point And Print Behaviour
Repeat orders are not only about colour. For thermochromic inks, the activation point has to be right for the product and the handling conditions. For security inks, the pattern, visibility and verification setup must line up with the earlier approved version. Nomfundo Khumalo in the colour lab and Pieter van Wyk on the security side work through the technical checks before release.
Where needed, we run drawdown panels, threshold tuning and adhesion tests before the full batch is made. If the pack runs on a line that gets long stoppages or variable heat, Shaun October and Lindokuhle Dlamini will check whether the earlier settings still suit the current run. A small change in coating or drying can shift the result, so we do not guess.
Checks We Run Before Repeating The Ink
Before a repeat batch leaves Jacobs, we verify the technical details against the stored record and the approval sample. This is especially useful for businesses printing for temperature-sensitive food, healthcare packs or promotional packaging where the visual cue has to stay reliable.
- Colour matching against the retained sample
- Rub resistance checks for handling and transit
- UV verification setups for security features
- Coating compatibility for the intended board or film
- Production troubleshooting if the earlier job had a known issue
We also consider local conditions. In Durban’s humidity, a batch that behaved well in winter may need a fresh check before summer production. For inland deliveries, we look at storage and loading conditions too, especially where temperature swings are common.
When A Repeat Needs A Fresh Test
If the substrate has changed, the press has been adjusted, or the job is going to a new plant, we may recommend a trial batch making step. That gives you a practical check before committing to the full repeat quantity. It is a simple way to protect production time and reduce waste.
Repeated orders also benefit from updated records. If your previous job had a coating issue, an adhesion problem or a slight colour drift, we note the correction against the new batch. Jason Pillay can help coordinate deliveries so the matched ink arrives with enough time for startup support and machine checks. The aim is to keep the next run close to the last approved one, without any last minute rework.
Keeping Your Repeat Records Ready For The Next Run
Good repeat ordering gets easier when the approval trail is complete. Keep the approved sample, the batch reference and the print notes together so your team can ask for the same ink without delay. We also suggest keeping a note of the drying conditions, line speed and any post-print finishing that affected the final result.
- Store approved samples in a clean, labelled folder
- Keep one sample from each major revision
- Record the press, substrate and coating used
- Note any weather or storage issues that affected the run
From Jacobs Supply in Durban to our supply routes into Cape Town, Gqeberha and Johannesburg, we keep repeat orders practical and traceable. That way your next packaging run starts with the same approval basis, not a fresh guess.
