Ink notes
Courier Notes
Courier notes should list job name, substrate, colour references, and plant contact so urgent flexo items land at the right floor.
When plates, inks or press parts move between branches or customer sites, poor booking detail creates delays and confusion. Missing pallet counts, no job reference and unclear delivery labels all slow the handover. Courier Notes is our guide to sending flexo supplies with the right information attached.
Courier paperwork for flexo consignments must read clearly at dispatch, at the depot, and at the receiving plant. We note the job name, branch, pallet or carton count, and the person expecting the delivery in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, or the Western Cape.
Dispatch details that prevent misrouting
- Receiving branch and contact named
- Count every plate case, drum, and box
- Record the exact ink or plate code
- Use the sender's full name and company
Courier Notes works best when it sits next to the job record and the item reference. A dispatch note tells the driver and receiver what is moving, while the product page confirms the correct plate material, ink system, or spare part. That combination reduces mix-ups between similar stock codes.
How Courier Notes tracks plates and ink in one week
Courier notes for flexo work should travel with the right job name, substrate, colour reference, and plant contact so plates, inks, or consumables land at the correct packaging floor. Write down the key details before urgent stock leaves the branch.
Start with what is being shipped and where it must go. Solvent inks, sleeve packs, mounted plates, doctor blades, and anilox parts each need different handling notes, especially when freight moves between Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. Weather, traffic routes, and load-shedding can all affect handover times and receiving access.
A photo of the packed consignment helps when labels tear or cartons are split at transfer points. Include one image that shows the outer marking and one that shows the contents before sealing. That record is useful when a branch receives the wrong quantity or an unmarked plate set.
What a usable courier note contains
A proper note names the job, substrate, colour reference, sender, receiver, and the number of units in transit. It should also state whether the load contains urgent press consumables, returned plates, or sample pulls for approval. Clear wording matters more than a long message chain.
Check the courier entry against the related press and ink records before the vehicle leaves. Plates, inks, proofs, and documents should each carry the same job reference so the receiving team can book them in without extra calls.
- Match delivery point to plant area
- Photograph labels before collection leaves
- List a direct number for receiving
South African delivery points that matter
Consignments moving through OR Tambo cargo, city depots, or industrial areas such as Crown Mines and Pinetown need fuller booking notes than same-site transfers. Some packaging plants receive at security first, then route stock to stores or the press department, so the note must name both the company and the person collecting inside. Separate urgent replacements from routine stock to avoid them being booked together.
Coastal moisture can affect cartons, adhesive labels, and outer wrapping during transport. Inland dust makes it worth sealing plate sleeves and open components before loading. During power cuts, receiving teams may rely on printed paperwork rather than scanned updates, so the hard copy must stand on its own.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Writing notes for plates, inks, and parts
Courier notes should list job name, substrate, colour references, and plant contact so urgent flexo items land at the right floor.
Write the courier note on the day the goods are packed, not after collection. Include the purchase order if one applies, the branch name, and any customer job code used on press. When a buyer asks for traceability, that single sheet should link the shipment to the production job without guesswork.