The team that keeps each job on track
Pad printing calls for steady hands and a sharp eye. A small change in artwork, ink mix, pad choice or curing time can alter how a mark sits on a medical housing, switch cap or control part, so the team coordinates each stage from the first sample to later production runs.
In a busy production week, the work often shifts between setup, inspection and packing. That means the person preparing the plate needs to stay in step with the person checking the print, while client feedback is handled without delay. It is practical work, and it depends on clear communication.
- Artwork checked for line weight, placement and legibility
- Test samples prepared before a full run starts
- Print quality confirmed under production lighting
Sibusiso Naicker leading the operation
Sibusiso Naicker, Managing Director, keeps the business focused on the basics that matter: correct specification, repeatable output and reliable turnaround. He works closely with manufacturers who need printing that stays readable on moulded plastics and coated parts, especially where component size is small and the mark has to sit exactly where it was planned.
He also oversees client discussions around job flow, batch repeats and practical production limits.
- Job review and production planning
- Client expectations and repeat order control
- Daily coordination with the workshop team
Artwork, plates and print setup
Naledi Kekana, Production Manager, and Sanjay Dookhi, Artwork and Plate Technician, handle the stage where a job becomes printable. Naledi keeps the production schedule moving and checks that each stage is ready before the next one starts, while Sanjay works on artwork redraws, plate exposure and plate etching for neat, consistent detail.
The image on medical and electronic parts may need fine lettering, tight registration or a logo that fits a curved surface. Sanjay’s work matters because if the artwork is not clean at the start, the print will show it later. Naledi makes sure trials, reruns and approvals are managed in a sensible order, without wasted motion.
- Logo redraws and print area planning
- Plate exposure and plate etching
- Trial sample runs before full production
Quality control that catches issues early
Lerato Mabunda, Quality Coordinator, is the person watching for the details others may miss. She checks print clarity, alignment, ink coverage and surface finish across sample parts and production batches, using the job notes to compare each run against the agreed standard. That includes looking for problems that can come from mould release residue, poor curing or a part shape that needs a different pad or fixture.
Her role is important for clients who need markings that can hold up in daily handling. We do not make the compliance decisions for a device or component, and customers remain responsible for their own product requirements, but Lerato makes sure the print itself is consistent and properly checked before dispatch.
She also keeps a record of rerun job control, so repeat work can follow the same setting and sample history where possible. That saves time when a product comes back months later and the mark has to match what was approved before.
Client support and machine setup
Yashika Sewpersad, Client Services Lead, keeps communication clear from the first enquiry through to dispatch packing. Clients from Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria and Gqeberha often ask about print area, sample timing and how the job will move through production. Yashika keeps those conversations organised so the right information reaches the workshop at the right time.
Mfundo Xaba, Machine Setup Specialist, handles the mechanical side of the work. He sets up the pad printing machine, checks fixture placement and makes sure the transfer is clean from pad to part. On small parts, or on components with a tricky curve, setup can make the difference between a crisp mark and one that needs to be redone.
- Enquiry follow-up and job notes
- Machine setup and fixture adjustment
- Dispatch packing and final job checks
Working from Westmead for manufacturers nationwide
From our base in Westmead, Pinetown, the team supports manufacturers and suppliers in Pinetown, New Germany, Westville and further afield across South Africa. That includes pad printing on medical and electronic components where the work needs to be clean, repeatable and suited to the part, not just the artwork.
Whether the job calls for colour matching, adhesion test samples, curing method selection or a careful rerun, each person here plays a part in keeping the print practical. The work may be technical, but the approach stays straightforward: check it, test it, print it, and make sure it is ready for the next stage.