A practical start in Industria West
From Industria West, Johannesburg, LithoPrinting Plates serves printers who need CTP plates, press consumables and clear technical support. Our focus is day to day supply for print rooms handling tight deadlines and demanding production schedules.
From the start, the business worked with offset and print finishing teams across City West and nearby areas like Roodepoort and Randburg. The aim was not to talk big, but to solve problems quickly, keep stock moving and make sure clients could get the right product first time.
- Started with core plate and pressroom supply
- Built a base in Industria West for quick dispatch
- Focused on practical support for local print houses
Growing with local print rooms
As more printers looked for a supplier who could do more than take an order, LithoPrinting Plates widened its offering to include chemistry, blankets and guidance on plate handling. This was a period of steady growth rather than noise, with the team learning the daily pressures that printers face in Johannesburg, Pretoria and the surrounding industrial areas.
During these years the company strengthened relationships with production managers and machine operators who needed reliable advice on chemistry balancing, wash programmes and colour stability. That support became part of the service, not an add on, and it helped customers manage waste, improve consistency and keep presses running through long shifts.
- Added chemistry and blanket supply to the range
- Introduced practical guidance on plate handling
- Expanded service beyond Johannesburg into Pretoria and Midrand
Stronger technical support and process control
By the middle years, LithoPrinting Plates had moved beyond supply only and became a technical partner for many print rooms. Technical Support Lead Willem van der Merwe worked closely with customers on processor servicing, blanket assessment and production troubleshooting, especially where old equipment, humidity or inconsistent input materials were affecting output.
This period also saw more structured support for press startup help and colour checks. South African printers know that a good start to the shift can save hours later, and the team built its reputation on helping clients set up properly, make sensible adjustments and avoid costly stoppages. It was here that the company became known for keeping things plain and useful.
- Formalised technical support for processors and blankets
- Expanded press startup help for smaller and larger print rooms
- Improved troubleshooting support for recurring production issues
Wider reach across Gauteng and beyond
As demand increased, operations became more structured under Operations Coordinator Thandiwe Khumalo and Logistics Supervisor Jason Petersen. The business was now supplying more customers across Industria West, Roodepoort, Randburg, Midrand, Germiston and Pretoria, while also serving print businesses further afield in other provinces through planned deliveries and better supply planning.
This was a key period for improving support processes and stock planning. Printers needed certainty around lead times, and the team worked to support that by keeping a close eye on usage patterns, seasonal peaks and urgent replacement needs. For many clients, this meant fewer emergency buys and better control over production schedules.
- Strengthened logistics for multi-site delivery
- Improved supply planning for recurring print demand
- Served more clients across Gauteng and nationwide
Supporting production through tougher conditions
The last few years brought tougher operating conditions for South African businesses, from rising input costs to tighter production windows. LithoPrinting Plates responded by placing more emphasis on dependable supply, sensible product selection and support that helped customers keep work moving even when conditions were not ideal.
National Sales Manager Preshanthi Chetty and Customer Service Manager Dineo Seabi helped shape a more responsive way of working, with clearer communication around stock, order timing and product suitability. In the same period, the team paid more attention to training, helping customers with plate handling training and better wash programmes so they could reduce avoidable downtime and maintain cleaner, more stable output.
- Built stronger support around production interruptions and restarts
- Expanded training on handling and wash programmes
- Improved communication for urgent and planned supply needs
Today: a South African supply partner for printers
LithoPrinting Plates supports print businesses across South Africa from its Johannesburg base in Industria West. The business is led by Managing Director Mandla Johannes Mokoena and focuses on CTP plates, chemistry, blankets and process support for offset, flexo and print finishing operations.
Looking back, the constant has been hands-on help on the pressroom floor. From one year to the next, the same principles have stayed in place: answer the phone, supply on time, check the detail and back the customer where it counts. That approach has allowed LithoPrinting Plates to grow steadily without losing the direct, hands on support that printers still need. It also means clients know who they are dealing with, not just what is in the box.
- Led from Industria West with nationwide reach
- Support available for plate selection, colour stability checks and troubleshooting
- Focused on reliable supply for the long term