Ink & Cure Specialist
Nomsa Dlamini sets the Goldilocks standard for ink mixing and UV cure in the Sample Lab, guiding teams and clients through real-world print trials that hold up across SA’s varied conditions.
Read notes on notes, or use our contact form.
In the Sample Lab, Nomsa Dlamini keeps every bottle print on target before a single unit heads to production. Her day starts with controlled ink mixing, refining blends that meet the specific expectations of operators, brand owners, or foremen. Every ink batch goes through a hands-on process, from viscosity checks to substrate trials, so what gets approved in the lab reflects the actual conditions on your production floor, whether you’re handling PET near the coast or glass in Gauteng.
When a client needs a new effect, be it a raised tactile label for craft gin or a metallic finish for a skincare launch, Nomsa runs the first trials herself. She logs every detail in the CureCheck system, tracking how each substrate, bottle shape, or finish responds to the local environment. Her notes help clients see if a finish will last through warehouse stacking, Highveld storms, or Durban humidity before signing off on a larger order.
Nomsa’s work bridges the gap between technical ink formulation and the practical realities of South African bottling. She is ready for load-shedding dips, rapid temperature changes in Germiston, and the effect of packing tapes or municipal water on a newly printed surface. Every week, she assesses how UV-cured inks hold up on clear PET, recycled glass, and coated aluminium, adjusting for the quirks of three-phase supply or dust blown in from the yard.
If you’ve ever wondered why a bottle print looks perfect in the lab but shows a flaw after arriving in Gqeberha or Bloemfontein, Nomsa is often the one tracing the cause, from substrate micro-scratches to regional climate shifts. She keeps a CureCheck log for every test, so repeat jobs can be matched for colour and durability, even as seasons or supply batches change.
Nomsa works most closely with teams developing new craft beverage, skincare, and promo line bottles. On Sample Lab Days, she sets up direct print trials so clients can see and touch the finished results, not just review proofs on paper. For any project requiring a special varnish, base layer, or metallic, she refines the balance of ink, cure, and bottle surface to match what’s needed on the shop floor and in distribution.
Clients often rely on her detailed notes to decide between gloss, matte, or tactile options. Her feedback is especially useful for those who need finishes that will last through Gauteng transport runs or the heat of Cape Town shelves. You can review real print outcomes with her before placing larger orders, ensuring your bottles perform as expected down the line.
Teams across operations and print rooms usually call in Nomsa when a new artwork run isn’t matching expectations or a tough substrate throws up unexpected challenges. She reviews artwork with the actual bottle in hand, then walks through each process variable, ink blend, exposure metre setting, climate, and substrate prep. Her approach is systematic, practical, and shaped by the knowledge that municipal water, tape residue, or voltage dips are as real as the artwork itself.
Her experience is particularly valued when running first-time jobs, fast turnaround samples, or problem prints showing adhesion or colour issues post-delivery. If you need to reference previous adhesion results or troubleshoot a curious mark that only appears after delivery to Durban, Nomsa’s CureCheck logs and process steps are the first place to look.
If your bottles need specialty finishes, face tough depot conditions, or are showing print issues unique to your city or product line, Nomsa can advise on practical next steps. Whether you are testing new substrates or tackling an existing problem, her approach helps you make decisions with real print evidence. To consult with Nomsa or the rest of our team, or to arrange a review of your project, please send a message through our contact form.
You can also browse Sample Lab notes and fix guides for advice on typical issues, or see how different finishes perform on local shelves.
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