Resources
Handoff Template
A handoff template for passing jobs between sales, prepress, plate supply, and press crews without losing key print details.
How Handoff Template supports a production week
Use this handoff template when a job moves between sales, prepress, plate supply, and the press crew. It keeps the important print details together, including substrate, plate type, tape, inks, and job notes.
Record the substrate first, then note the press, anilox, plate thickness and tape combination on the job. Inland dust, Durban moisture and power interruptions can all change how a handover is read by the next shift. A useful template gives sales, prepress and press crews the same production facts without extra chasing.
Capture photos when the sample, cylinder set or previous repeat is still in place. The template works best with image references, handover time, pending approvals and any colour concerns seen before start-up. That gives the incoming crew a clearer restart point when the job returns to press.
Key fields on the sheet
Include SKU, substrate gauge, print width, plate supplier, ink system, tape build and any drying or curing remarks in one handover record. A complete sheet helps the next operator compare the brief against what is physically on the machine.
Link the completed Handoff Template to the relevant Press paths record and any Ink notes used on that SKU before sending plates or paperwork onward. Check plate count, version number, delivery point and press allocation before the courier leaves site. Name your press and the job on it, and we will put together the consumables for the run.
- Substrate, gauge and reel width captured
- Snags logged before shift change
- Job photos attached to handover
Plant conditions worth noting
A Johannesburg plant running long corrugated work will hand over different points from a Durban site printing film for food packs. Use the template to mark repeat lengths, storage location for plates, dispatch timing and whether stock is on site or still inbound. Where several presses share similar names, write the exact machine designation to prevent the wrong setup being prepared.
Coastal humidity can affect ink behaviour and drying comments should be carried into the handover. Highveld dust is worth noting when print defects may be linked to contamination around webs, rollers or sensors. During load-shedding periods, add the stop time and restart condition so the next crew can judge whether fresh checks are needed.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Using the handover on repeat jobs
Fill in the Handoff Template with job photos, handover timing, and the snags already picked up. Keep the subject line factual and job-based.
Repeat packaging work is easier to track when each move between teams is logged against the same job reference. Add revision notes when artwork changed, list any swapped plate sets and mention customer sign-off status if it affects release to press. That record is useful when a buyer asks why one run differed from the previous delivery.