What Colour Setup Help Covers On Your Line
Colour setup help is for operators and production teams that need the same print to land day after day on bottles, cups and tubes. We check the artwork, mesh, ink mix, squeegee pressure, screen condition and substrate prep, then work through a clean test cycle until the print is where it should be. For short runs or repeat orders, that saves time and keeps rejects down.
We assist with cylindrical screen-printing machines used on glass, plastic and coated metal containers. The work is practical, not theoretical, and we focus on what the press can hold in real production. If your job is affected by humidity in Durban, dust in Gauteng or power interruptions during load-shedding, we adjust the setup so the colour still lands consistently.
- Ink matching and draw-down checking for repeat jobs
- Test prints on actual product, not just sample sheets
- Screen tension and mesh suitability checks
- Registration and repeat alignment for cylindrical items
- Drying and curing checks for your line speed
Typical Colour Checks Before We Release A Job
Before a run starts we look at the full setup from artwork to cure. That includes the substrate finish, print area, screen count, stencil condition and how the container sits in the machine cradle. If the job has a white underbase, metallic ink, fine text or a wraparound logo, we will test those details separately because they behave differently on curves.
We also check that the same colour can be held through the shift. On busy production lines the first sample often looks fine, then the third or fourth carton drifts because of ink temperature or operator changes. Our process catches that early. Where needed we recommend a simple production note sheet so the team can repeat the same settings without guesswork.
- Substrate cleaning and surface adhesion check
- Ink viscosity adjustment for temperature and speed
- Colour target comparison against approved sample
- Print sharpness check on curves and shoulders
- Drying time review before packing
How We Handle Testing And Approval
Most colour setup jobs start with a photo, sample pack or artwork brief sent through our contact form. From there we confirm the product type, quantity, print position and whether the job is for a one-off or repeat production. If the product is on site in Johannesburg, Pretoria or Midrand, we can work through the tests at your premises or receive samples at Aeroton for assessment.
The actual setup usually follows three steps: first we confirm the screen and ink match, then we run a short test on the machine, then we approve the print or make small changes. Minor shifts in colour are common on plastics and powder-coated items so we allow time for that. Once the print is stable, we note the working settings for the next order and the team can repeat it with less downtime.
- Step 1: Review artwork, substrate and production target
- Step 2: Mix, test and compare colour on the real item
- Step 3: Confirm settings and capture the repeat recipe
Turnaround For Local And Nationwide Assistance
Turnaround depends on the job and where the machine is based. For customers in Johannesburg South, Aeroton, Midrand and Pretoria, we can usually arrange colour support faster because the travel time is short and we can combine the visit with installation or maintenance. Durban, Cape Town and other national sites are handled by scheduling the visit around the production window so the line does not sit idle for longer than needed.
For urgent repeat work, same week assistance may be possible if the product and screens are ready and the production team is available. If the job needs fresh screen making or reclaiming first, allow extra time. We keep communication direct, and if a change is needed on the day we say so before it affects the run, not after. That keeps costs under control and avoids waste.
Customers often ask how long a colour change should take. A simple single-colour setup may be sorted in a short visit, while multi-stage jobs with several colours or tight registration can take longer. The actual timing depends on the condition of the machine, screen count and how close the current print is to the target.
Key facts
| Service focus | Repeatable colour preparation and print testing before production runs |
|---|---|
| Product types | Bottles, cups, tubes, jars and other cylindrical items |
| Machine types | Cylindrical screen-printing machines and associated screens |
| Coverage | Aeroton, Johannesburg base with installs and support nationwide |
| Typical setup checks | Ink mix, mesh count, registration, cure time, substrate prep |
| Support contact | Our contact form |
