The verdict in three sentences
Print shops in Dakar (Mermoz, Industrial Zone, Plateau) waste 35% of their sales time in WhatsApp back-and-forth approving proofs. A client portal with file upload (PDF/X-4, min 300 dpi), PDF preview, online approval and milestone Wave payment brings the cycle from 5 to 2 days. For 65,000 FCFA/month, the shop collects 50% on order and 50% on delivery, without chasing the client.
Online proofs instead of WhatsApp back-and-forth
The print proof is the bottleneck. Sent over WhatsApp, it gets lost in chats, is poorly approved and triggers reprints. The portal centralizes upload, preview and timestamped approval.
| Step | WhatsApp (before) | Client portal (after) |
|---|---|---|
| File upload | compressed attachment | PDF/X-4 300 dpi upload |
| Proof preview | screenshot | faithful PDF preview |
| Client approval | ambiguous message | enforceable timestamped click |
| Average cycle | 5 days | 2 days |
| Reprints/month | 8-12 | 2-3 |
| Sales time lost | 35% | 10% |
Timestamped approval protects the shop: if the client approved, the reprint is on them.
2026 pricing and milestone Wave payment
The portal shows prices, computes the quote and collects in milestones via Wave, securing cash flow on large orders.
| Product | Quantity | 2026 price (FCFA) | Wave milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| A5 4-color flyers | 5,000 ex | 35,000 | 50% / 50% |
| Roll-up banner | 1 unit | 18,000 | 100% order |
| A4 full-color brochures | 500 ex | 75,000 | 50% / 50% |
| Business cards | 1,000 ex | 12,000 | 100% order |
| Tarpaulin banner | 3 m² | 21,000 | 50% / 50% |
| A2 posters | 200 ex | 45,000 | 50% / 50% |
*Dakar 2026 order of magnitude, excluding special finishes.*
The 50% on-order payment covers material cost and commits the client, the remaining 50% releases on delivery.
Mini case study
Cheikh, manager of a print shop in the Industrial Zone, handles ~120 orders/month. His salesperson spent 35% of his time on WhatsApp over proofs, i.e. ~14h/week. Reprints from poorly approved proofs cost ~9 reprints/month at ~25,000 FCFA of material, i.e. 225,000 FCFA wasted. With the portal, the cycle dropped to 2 days, reprints to 3/month (75,000 FCFA), and his salesperson recovered ~10h/week for prospecting. Combined monthly gain (material + time): well above the portal's 65,000 FCFA/month.
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FAQ
What file formats does the portal accept?
The portal recommends PDF/X-4 at 300 dpi minimum and automatically checks resolution and bleed margins, reducing rejected proofs.
How does milestone Wave payment work?
The client pays 50% on order to cover material and commit production, then 50% on delivery. Both milestones go through Wave, traced in the portal.
Does the portal really cut the cycle from 5 to 2 days?
Yes, by removing WhatsApp back-and-forth and timestamping proof approval, the average cycle drops from about 5 to 2 days, with fewer reprints.
How much does the portal cost per month?
The plan is 65,000 FCFA/month, including file upload, PDF preview, online approval, automatic quoting and milestone Wave payment.
Is proof approval enforceable in case of dispute?
Yes, every approval is timestamped and kept. If the client approved a proof containing an error, the reprint is on them, which protects the shop.
Let's talk about your project. Send us your price list and we'll set up the portal and Wave milestones. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
