Substrates
Spares Ready
A practical route for wall art jobs with spares on hand in South Africa, written for decor teams who already know the basics.
Backup panels before dispatch day
Spares Ready covers wall-art jobs where extra panels, backup prints or replacement pieces should be prepared in advance. It helps reduce disruption when a site has damage, last-minute changes or transport issues.
Set up spares from the same approved artwork, print scale and finish as the live job. For South African rollouts, reserve extras for pieces most likely to be scuffed in transit, trimmed on site, or swapped after a landlord snag list. Mall corridors, lifts, coastal humidity and long-haul courier handling all change which items should be duplicated.
Include clear site photos that show corners, sockets, bulkheads and any joins across panels. Store one note with the artwork file that identifies the spare quantity, intended wall, and any crop differences from the installed set. That record helps when a replacement is needed after fitment damage or a late branding change.
What to prepare as spares
Most spare sets include one full replacement for hero panels, plus smaller extras for edge-prone or high-contact sections. Record the exact media, laminate, panel code and final size so a replacement does not drift from the approved run. Keep packing labels distinct for installed stock and held-back stock.
Before adding extras, match the spare plan to the approved file set, the chosen substrate, and the delivery labels. Note where the backup pieces will be stored, who signs them off, and which panels are priority if damage happens first. Share a photo of the space and the print finish you like, and the studio will plan the piece.
- Extra prints for vulnerable panel positions
- Photo record of each replaceable section
- Related: Software for reprints, Substrates held back, Design notes for replacements
- Replacement pieces logged against one campaign
SA handling points for spare stock
Spare sets often move through Johannesburg distribution points before reaching stores, offices or hospitality sites in other provinces. Mark cartons for hold-back stock so they are not opened during the first install. On larger programmes, separate emergency replacements from routine overage to avoid losing track at receiving.
Durban and Cape Town coastal conditions can affect how wrapped prints, adhesive products and unsealed edges should be stored. Inland sites pick up dust during fit-out, which matters when spare acrylics or framed pieces are unpacked months later. Load-shedding also affects print scheduling, so backup pieces should be planned early rather than added after dispatch.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Notes to include with spares
Brief Spares Ready with photos, extra quantities needed, storage notes, and which panels may need replacement. State the spare set or campaign name in the subject line.
Write the spare note while the artwork approval, pack count and site photos are still easy to verify. List the replacement candidates, storage location, and any panels that differ from the main installation because of trim, cut-outs or phased branding updates. This keeps the backup set useful when the original install team is no longer on site.
What our Wall Art Design customers say
Verified Google reviews