Ordering and delivery
Getting the right cartridge starts with the surface, the product line and the coder you already use. We guide the order from cartridge matching through to courier dispatch, with practical advice on packing, storage and nozzle care.
Start with the coder and the surface
Most ordering problems start when the cartridge is chosen by colour alone, or by a code sample from another line. A better starting point is the coder model, the material being marked and whether the product moves straight into packing, shrink wrap or storage. Plastics, coated film, glass and metal usually need a quick-dry solvent cartridge, while cartons, uncoated paper and some timber lines usually suit water-based ink. Dark packs may need white or another high-contrast colour so the code can still be read in a warehouse or on a shop shelf.
When you send an enquiry through our contact form, include the coder details and tell us what the code must sit on. If the same factory runs more than one substrate, mention each one. That avoids a carton ink being sent for a plastic pouch run, which causes a mess later.
- Coder make or compatible cartridge type already in use
- Surface material such as carton, paper, plastic film, bottle, glass, metal or wood
- Ink colour needed for contrast on the pack
- Whether the code is for retail units, outer cases or shipping cartons
- Province and town for courier planning
What to send with the order request
A clear order request helps us match the cartridge properly and avoid hold-ups. The best notes are short and factual. A photo of the current cartridge, a picture of the product surface and one sample code image are usually enough to point the order in the right direction. If you have had smudging, fading or poor adhesion, say so at the start. That usually means the issue is not only the cartridge type, but also storage, nozzle condition or the way the code is applied on the line.
For factories near Durban and for sites further inland, the same principle applies: tell us what touches the ink after coding. Packed units may be stacked while the mark is still fresh, and outer cases often rub during loading. That detail matters more than most buyers expect.
- Photo of the cartridge or label currently used
- Photo of the item or case being coded
- Short note on adhesion, fading or smudging problems
- Delivery name, town and full street address
- Purchase order or internal reference if your receiving team needs one
How the order moves from match to dispatch
Once we have the basic details, we confirm the cartridge category that suits the job and prepare the order for dispatch from Pinetown. We supply the ink cartridges and inks only. We do not sell the handheld coders themselves, we do not repair coding machines and we do not print products on behalf of clients. Our part is making sure the cartridge choice suits the material and the intended code use.
Orders are packed for courier delivery to factories, packhouses and warehouses in every province. Parcels are labelled to match the delivery details provided, and the cartridge type is checked against the order notes before dispatch. If your site has receiving restrictions, loading bay hours or municipal vehicle access rules, include them early, it helps avoid avoidable delays at the gate.
For larger operations using several lines, separate the request by surface type rather than by department name. That tends to make receiving easier once the cartons arrive.
Courier delivery across South Africa
We courier nationwide from the Durban side of KwaZulu-Natal, with regular deliveries into industrial areas, farming districts and regional distribution hubs. Coastal humidity can affect how cartons are stored after arrival, especially in open receiving areas or older warehouses near the coast. Keep cartridges sealed until needed and move them into a stable indoor space rather than leaving them on a loading dock.
Delivery works best when the consignee details are complete and the receiving point is easy to identify. Large sites should include the warehouse name, gate number or branch note where needed. If the shipment is for a packhouse or seasonal operation, tell us who signs for goods and whether the site closes at certain times of day.
- Courier delivery to all provinces
- Factory, packhouse, warehouse and branch addresses accepted
- Multiple cartons can be split by line or receiving point on request
- Tracking details are provided with the dispatch record
- Remote destinations may need fuller location notes than city branches
How pricing is worked out
Pricing is based on the cartridge type, colour requirement, quantity ordered and the delivery destination. White and speciality colours can differ from standard dark inks, and large-character cartridges are costed differently from standard handheld coding cartridges. Courier charges depend on parcel size, total weight and the route to your town or industrial area.
Where a site uses more than one substrate, the order may include more than one cartridge type. That is normal and usually better than trying to force one ink across every surface in the plant. We do not publish blanket pricing on this page because the practical details of the job matter, including whether the order is going to a central warehouse or directly to a production site.
After delivery and cartridge care
Support does not stop when the parcel is delivered. We help with general cartridge handling, storage guidance and nozzle care so the first code out of the box has a better chance of reading cleanly. Keep cartridges in their packaging until needed, store them in a steady indoor environment and fit them to the coder carefully to avoid contamination around the print area.
If a code looks faint or starts to drag, check the surface first and inspect the cartridge face for ink build-up. Cartons stored in damp areas and plastic film with surface treatment can behave very differently on the line. For food and medical packing environments, we only give general handling guidance on clean working practice and legibility; site-specific approval and compliance decisions remain with your own quality team.
If you need help with a repeat cartridge order, a different surface or a persistent print issue, send the current cartridge details and a few photos through our contact form so we can guide the next step.
What our Coding Ink customers say
Verified Google reviews
Questions we get asked
Do you sell the handheld coders as well?
No. We supply the cartridges and inks for handheld inkjet coders, but not the coding units themselves and not repair work on those machines.
Can one cartridge work on every surface in the factory?
Usually not. Cartons, plastics, glass and metal behave differently, so the right order often includes different cartridge types for different lines or pack formats.
What if I am not sure which cartridge I need?
Send the coder details, the surface type, the colour needed and a photo of the current cartridge or code result through our contact form. We use that information to guide the cartridge match.
Also worth a look
Tell us about the job
Send sizes, materials and where you are through our contact form, and we will come back with the practical options.
Open the contact form