Managing Director
Ms Lerato Molefe leads BottlePrinter Lab from Sunnyrock with a practical, results-focused approach to UV bottle decoration and hands-on support for South African brands.
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From 2 Makro Place in Germiston, Ms Lerato Molefe directs every bottle decoration project that moves through BottlePrinter Lab. Her approach keeps work honest, with decisions made close to the floor and clear oversight of each UV system in use. Lerato insists on seeing every unique bottle shape, artwork proof and test coating before any sample order ships out, whether the delivery is headed for a craft distillery in Polokwane or a contract filler in Durban. No side of a project gets left to guesswork - queries about substrate quirks or surface scuffs go through her hands, not a chain of messengers.
Weeks in the BottlePrinter Lab revolve around tested processes, real materials and repeatable results. Lerato starts most Mondays with a walk through the print bays, discussing job cards with operators and checking the UV curing lines for readiness. When a distiller from the Cape sends in an odd-shaped sample, she checks if the neck profile works with existing jigs. A skincare startup’s request for frost finishes or metallic effects usually gets a direct test or a quick consult with the finishes team. By Thursday, she is often troubleshooting artwork issues or advising a promo buyer from Gqeberha on colour hold in coastal humidity and prepping sample kits for shipment. If handling tests show a print is at risk of rubbing off after a rough van ride, she halts the run and suggests an alternative.
Lerato’s advice is shaped by what actually works on a filling line in Bloemfontein or during load-shedding in Johannesburg. She explains the realities of bottle surface prep, colour resilience in Highveld dust and the impact of humidity on adhesion. Her feedback will include whether your bottle’s decoration will survive the short drop from the roller conveyor or withstand warehouse stacking. Clients trust her to review compatibility with their usual bottle supplier or filler, and to recommend changes only when there’s a clear benefit for pack-out or shelf life.
Every sample programme run by BottlePrinter Lab passes under Lerato’s eye. She reviews each artwork file for possible risks and confirms with the operator before starting a batch. When a client is pressed for time before a shipment moves from Gauteng to the coast, Lerato clarifies what’s possible or what needs to be changed to avoid delays. She spot tests prints for adhesion and abrasion resistance at various points in the process. Failures get flagged early and solutions are discussed openly with customers. Lerato expects open, direct communication from clients so that issues do not slow the workflow. If a result does not meet shelf handling standards, she is the first to propose a fix rather than send out a problem.
Contact Lerato when you need an honest answer about whether your artwork will work on a specific bottle, or when timing is tight and you need to know if a sample batch can be ready before your next run. She is also the best starting point for questions about UV print limitations, difficult substrates, or packing for large shipments up-country. For those unsure about which sample programme suits their bottle type, or needing feedback on finishes and surface prep, Lerato’s advice is direct and relevant.
Lerato’s leadership style is supported by a practical team who each bring their own floor experience to BottlePrinter Lab. For specialised questions, she often consults with Mr Pieter Botha about bottle handling, Ms Nomsa Dlamini on ink and cure, or Sipho Khumalo for MiniLine systems. You can meet the rest of the team here or send a message through our contact form with any project-specific question.
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