What you can request for packaging trials
Sample requests are used when you need to test colour, finish, adhesion or security performance before a full production run. We prepare drawdowns, small trial batches and effect samples for packaging development work across flexible film, labels, cartons and other printed packs.
If your product is temperature-sensitive, exposed to coastal humidity, or needs tamper-aware presentation, tell us upfront. That helps us choose the right thermochromic or security approach for your application and avoids wasting material on a poor fit.
- Drawdown panels for colour checking and visual approval
- Trial quantities for press tests and short runs
- Effect samples for colour change, UV response or security patterns
- Retain samples for reference against later production lots
How to send a sample request correctly
The quickest way to get the right sample is to give us practical job details, not just a product name. We work with packaging converters nationwide, so clear information helps us prepare the sample in the right format and size for your team.
Please include substrate type, print method, intended use and whether the pack will sit in cold chain, retail storage or outdoor transport. If the job is for Durban humidity, inland heat, or long courier movement between provinces, that can affect the way we prepare and test the sample.
- What you are printing on, such as paperboard, coated stock or film
- The effect you want, for example colour change or a security feature
- Approximate sample size or quantity needed
- Any compliance or internal approval notes from your customer
- Where the sample will be tested, including plant or client site
What happens after we receive your enquiry
Once the enquiry form comes through, our team reviews the job and checks which sample route is suitable. Shaun October and Lindokuhle Dlamini often work on the technical side, while Nomfundo Khumalo handles colour matching and effect consistency. For security-focused work, Pieter van Wyk checks the pattern or verification setup.
We may ask for a substrate sample, a current print spec or a past batch reference so we can build the right test piece. If needed, we also set up adhesion checks, rub resistance checks or UV verification before sending material out.
- We confirm the sample type and the application details
- We prepare drawdowns, trial batches or effect panels
- We check compatibility and production handling requirements
- We arrange dispatch from Jacobs, Durban to your site
Testing before you approve full production
Sample work is most useful when it is tested under real conditions. A colour that looks right on a light table may behave differently under warehouse lighting or on a press line. That is why we recommend trialing the sample on the actual substrate and checking it with your own production team.
For packaging that uses thermochromic effects, the temperature threshold has to suit the pack content and the customer experience. For security work, the print should be easy to verify but difficult to copy. We can support threshold tuning, coating compatibility and press startup checks so your team is not guessing on the day.
- Check colour shift at the target temperature range
- Test bond strength after drying or curing
- Run rub tests before final sign-off
- Confirm the security feature under normal viewing and UV conditions
Sample requests for urgent runs and national delivery
Some sample requests are tied to tight launch dates, a reprint, or a customer who wants approval before the next delivery window. Our logistics team coordinates shipments from Durban to converters in Gauteng, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and other regions, so your sample reaches the right place without delay.
If your plant is in Jacobs, Prospecton, Pinetown or further inland, we can align the dispatch to suit your receiving times. Jason Pillay manages national logistics and helps keep the sample flow moving, even when load-shedding or courier cut-offs make timing a bit tricky.
- Jacobs Supply and Durban South Supply for local collection support
- Pinetown Supply and Prospecton Supply for nearby converter routes
- Cape Town Supply, Gqeberha Supply and Johannesburg Supply for national despatch
- Pretoria Supply for high-volume inland packaging programmes
Keep retain samples for later batch checks
For repeat packaging jobs, retain samples are worth keeping. They give your team a reference point when a customer asks about colour drift, effect strength or print behaviour six months later. We can store batch retain material and use it to compare new production against the approved sample.
This is especially useful where packaging must stay consistent across multiple SKUs or seasonal changes. If the item is part of a regulated supply chain, or if your client expects strict visual matching, having a retained reference makes production checks much easier.
When you request samples, ask us about retaining a copy of the approved drawdown or trial batch. It helps with reorders, complaint handling and future colour matching without starting from scratch.
