What to book for your next lab trial
If you are preparing a new pack, changing substrate or tightening up a press run, start with the right type of lab support. Some jobs need a colour match for a temperature indicator, others need a security pattern checked under UV light, and some need a trial batch before the line goes live. We work with converters, printers and packaging teams across South Africa, with collections and deliveries handled from Jacobs in Durban.
Use a lab trial booking when you need a clear answer on how an ink will behave on your actual material. That may include coated board, film, labels or laminated packs. We can also help when a job is sensitive to coastal humidity, heat in transit or municipal storage conditions that affect drying time and finish.
- Colour matching for thermochromic or security ink work
- Threshold tuning for activation temperature or visual response
- Adhesion tests on the chosen substrate
- Rub resistance checks for handling and pack movement
Before you send in a sample
Good trial prep saves time and reduces back-and-forth. Send enough detail for the team to assess the pack structure, print method and expected use. If you already know the target shade, activation point or security function, include that in the notes. If not, we can help you work through it step by step.
Please include the actual material where possible, not only a drawing or spec sheet. A board sample or film offcut tells us more than a written description alone. If your converter line uses heat, high speed drying or repeated handling, mention that too. It helps us set realistic trial conditions and avoid surprises on press.
- Product name and pack format
- Substrate type, coating and finish
- Print method and drying conditions
- Sample size, target dates and any storage limits
How the booking process works
Once you submit the enquiry form on our contact page, the team reviews your request and comes back with the next steps. Depending on the job, that may be a simple match, a lab drawdown, or a trial batch for a converter run. We do not guess at the result. We check the material first and confirm the plan before any production is started.
For many bookings, we begin with a short technical call to confirm the goal, the substrate and the quantity needed for testing. From there, we prepare the lab work, organise the supply route and advise whether the item should be collected in Durban or sent through one of our supply areas such as Pinetown, Prospecton, Johannesburg or Cape Town.
- Send your enquiry with sample details and timing
- We review the application and confirm requirements
- The lab prepares matching, testing or trial material
- You receive feedback, results and next action steps
What happens in the lab
Our lab support covers the practical checks that matter on a production floor. Colour work can include drawdown panels, matching against an approved standard and checking how the shade shifts under different temperatures. For security work, we can help design a pattern or verify how an ink behaves under UV inspection. If the job is for a food pack, chilled item or temperature-sensitive carton, we also look at how the response appears after storage, handling and stacking.
We test for more than visual appeal. Adhesion, rub resistance and coating compatibility are all checked because a good-looking sample is not useful if it lifts, smudges or changes too late. Where needed, we can also prepare batch retain samples so there is a clear reference for future repeats.
- Drawdown panels for side-by-side comparison
- UV verification setups for authenticity checks
- Trial batch making for press approval
- Batch retain library for repeat orders and audits
Trial support for converters and production teams
If you are a packaging converter, the point of the trial is to get print-ready results without wasting time on the machine. We can support press startup, troubleshoot coating issues and advise on drying, ink laydown and finish. That is especially useful when the job is coming in from another province or when the line is running against a tight dispatch deadline.
For Durban and the coast, humidity can change how a coating behaves by the afternoon, while inland sites may see different drying and handling results. We take those conditions into account when preparing your trial. If the pack is going through retail, warehouse or cold-chain handling, tell us upfront so we can set the test conditions as close as possible to real use.
- Press startup support for first runs
- Production troubleshooting on existing jobs
- Coating compatibility checks before scale-up
- Advice for humidity, heat and transport exposure
After the trial and next steps
After testing, we will share the outcome and recommend the next move. That may be a colour adjustment, a revised activation threshold, a stronger adhesion approach or a new security layout. If the result is approved, we can help you prepare the next batch for production and keep the sample record on file for future repeats.
For customers working across multiple branches or towns, we can keep the handover simple. One approved reference can be used to support supply into Jacobs, Durban South, Pinetown, Prospecton, Gqeberha, Pretoria or Johannesburg, so the next order starts from the same standard. It keeps communication clear and helps avoid rework.
When you are ready, use the enquiry form and tell us whether you need matching, testing or converter trial preparation. The more precise the brief, the faster we can set up the right lab support.
