What To Include In Your Quote Request
When you send an enquiry through our contact page, the more practical detail you include the quicker we can work out plate pricing. We make flexo photopolymer plates for label and packaging printers, so the main things we need are tied to the job size, the artwork and the press. If a file is still being checked by your designer, send what you have and we can advise on the next step.
Please include the product type, the substrate if it is known, the number of colours, the finished size, and whether the job is a repeat or a new plate set. It also helps to say where the job is going, for example Midrand, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha, East Rand or West Rand, especially if courier delivery or collection needs to be arranged.
- Job name and customer reference
- Plate size or repeat length
- Number of colours and any special white or varnish units
- Artwork status, such as final PDF, revised file or old plate remake
- Preferred delivery or collection area
How To Send Artwork So We Can Check It Properly
Artwork quality makes a direct difference to plate making. If the file is clean, correctly set up and ready for prepress, the work can move faster through file checking and imposition planning. If it is not quite ready, we will flag the issues and tell you what needs attention. That may include low resolution images, missing fonts, incorrect bleed, or elements that are too fine for flexo reproduction.
For repeat work, it is useful to mention whether the previous plates were approved as they stood, or whether the design has changed. Small changes in text, trap, barcodes or solid areas can affect the final plate set. If you are comparing a new proof against an older job, send both where possible. It saves time and avoids surprises on press, which nobody wants on a busy Monday morning.
- Send the final artwork file if available
- Include a PDF proof or reference image for comparison
- Note any changes from the previous run
- Tell us if the design has small text, solids, screens or reverse type
Why Press Details Matter For Plate Pricing
Flexo photopolymer plate making is not one size fits all. The plate layout, imaging area, trimming, labelling and mounting needs all depend on the press and the job specification. Two jobs that look similar on paper can need different handling if one runs on a narrow web label press and the other on wider packaging equipment. That is why we ask for press details before giving a proper price.
If you know the cylinder size, repeat length, plate thickness or mounting method, include it. If you do not know all of that, send the press name and model details from the machine room and we can work through the rest with you. We also need to know if the job needs screening support, proof comparison, or remake support for an older plate. These small details help us avoid guesswork and keep the job on spec.
Collection, Courier Delivery And Local Coordination
We are based in Midrand, Gauteng and handle courier delivery across South Africa, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and Gqeberha. Local collections can also be arranged, and our logistics coordination helps keep jobs moving when deadlines are tight or the weather is doing what Gauteng weather does best, changing by the hour.
When you request a quote, please say whether you want collection coordination or dispatch packing for courier. If the plates are going to a printer in an industrial area, include the full delivery address and any access notes such as gate control, receiving hours or loading bay instructions. This is especially helpful for estates and municipal or commercial sites where delivery windows are strict.
- Midrand delivery and collection support
- Johannesburg delivery for city and industrial areas
- Pretoria delivery for north side and surrounding suburbs
- Durban, Cape Town and Gqeberha courier dispatch
- East Rand and West Rand delivery coordination
What Happens After You Submit The Enquiry
Once we receive your request, we review the artwork, the job specification and the delivery need. If anything is missing, we will ask for it before pricing is confirmed. That usually includes the plate size, quantity, number of colours and the artwork status. If the file needs checking, we will point out what needs attention before plate production starts.
For new customers and regular print shops alike, the aim is the same: a clear quote, a clear scope and no loose ends. We keep the process practical. If there is a remake, a rush collection, or a split delivery to more than one site, tell us up front. It is easier to plan it properly than to sort it out after the plates are already on the way.
Helpful Notes Before You Click Send
There are a few small things that make a big difference when you request plate pricing. If you are unsure about any item, do not leave it out completely, just say what you know and add a note that it needs checking. That is better than guessing. A clear request also helps us match the right technical advice to the job, whether it is a simple label run or a more detailed packaging set.
Where possible, mention whether the job is for a first run, a repeat, or a remake from an existing plate. Also note if the job needs plate trimming, plate labelling, or a special pack-out for dispatch. A well written enquiry saves time on both sides and helps keep the print schedule moving, even when power interruptions or transport delays cause the usual South African hiccups.
- State if the job is urgent or part of a planned schedule
- Say whether the plates are for labels, cartons or other packaging work
- Tell us if you need technical advice before confirming the order
- Include any delivery or collection constraints as early as possible
