Memory isn't a timesheet
End-of-day estimates miss the quick fixes, the five-minute amends and the files you reopened twice.
Plugin for Adobe Illustrator
TimeSyncComing soon
Every minute on the job. None of the minutes off it.
Built for packaging artwork. TimeSync times each job automatically while you work in Illustrator. It pauses when you step away, groups every amend round under one job, and gives you timesheets you can trust.
For Adobe Illustrator 2024 or later on macOS. TimeSync is launching soon. A free 7-day trial will be available at launch. Email info@48k.solutions for early access.
TimeSyncTrackingTEAM
4467890-001-A2.ai
Group: 4467890-001 · this round 3h 35m
TODAY
1h 25m
ALL ROUNDS
5h 50m
JOBS
JOB10 DAYSTOTAL
4467890-001-A23h 35m3h 35m
4467890-001-A12h 15m2h 15m
Fri, 16 Oct 09:15–10:05 0h 50m
Timesheets shouldn't be guesswork
Amend rounds get lost
A pack goes through brand, retailer and legal rounds: _A1, _A2, _A3. Unless you add them up by hand, the true cost of the job never shows.
Timers forget you've left
Start-stop timers keep running through lunch, calls and coffee. Then you're editing your own timesheet.
Open a file. Work. That's it.
01
Open your artwork
TimeSync reads the job from the file name (or a job ID you set once, saved inside the file).
02
Work as normal
Time only counts when Illustrator is in front, that job's document is active, and you've used the keyboard or mouse recently.
03
Step away and it stops
After a few minutes idle, TimeSync pauses and backdates the stop to your last input. When you're back, it asks whether the break should count towards the job.
Away 32 mins on 4467890-001 – add to job?
Built for packaging artworkers, not accountants
Idle-aware tracking
Counts only active work. Stops are backdated to your last keyboard or mouse input, so idle time never creeps in.
Break prompts
Away longer than you set? On return, choose to add the time to the job (a call, a think) or discard it.
Knows when you've switched off
Locked screen or another Mac user logged in? That time is ignored automatically.
Jobs from file names
The job comes straight from the file. Set a job ID once and it's stored inside the file, so it follows Save As and renames.
Amend rounds, grouped
_A1, _R2, -v3, Rev4: every round rolls up under one job. Set your own round markers, or a custom pattern to group by job number.
Job history and search
Scroll every job from the last 7, 10, 30 or 90 days (or all time). Expand a job to see each round and every session's date, start and finish. Type any part of a job number to filter.
Today and all-rounds totals
See today's time and the job's full total at a glance, plus the current round on its own.
Exports in your format
CSV summaries and detail, XML or JSON, saved to the folder you choose. Ready for invoicing, payroll or your own reports.
Webhook for other systems
Send every logged block as JSON to your own endpoint, Zapier, Make or a database. Anything that fails to send is queued and retried.
Private by design
Your time records, job names and file paths stay on your Mac. Only licence checks go to our server.
Works offline
Keeps tracking without a connection and re-checks your licence when you're back online (up to 24 hours).
Fits Illustrator
A compact dark panel that sits in your workspace and gets out of the way.
One job, however many rounds
Artwork rarely goes out in one round. TimeSync logs each file as its own round, then adds them up under the job, so you can see exactly what a job cost across every amend.
4467890-001-A1.ai2h 15m
4467890-001-A2.ai3h 35m
4467890-001-A3.ai0h 40m
→ 4467890-0016h 30m
Round markers are set by you. Defaults: A, R, V, Rev.
Clean data out, wherever you need it
For people
CSV summary (job, day, hours, rounds) and full detail (every session and break). Opens straight in Excel or Numbers.
For systems
XML and JSON with the same structure: a daily summary, then job → round → session.
Live
Webhook posts each block as it's logged, so your project or finance tools stay current.
{
"records": [
{
"type": "work",
"group": "4467890-001",
"job": "4467890-001-A2",
"file": "/Volumes/Jobs/4467890-001/Artwork_File/4467890-001-A2.ai",
"start": "2026-10-16T09:15:00Z",
"end": "2026-10-16T10:05:00Z",
"minutes": 50,
"source": "timesync"
}
]
}Made for packaging artwork teams
Packaging artwork studios
See what every SKU and job really costs across retailer and brand amend rounds.
Pre-press and repro houses
Track high volumes of short amends that are easy to lose, job by job.
Brand and retailer packaging teams
Understand where artwork time goes across ranges and relaunches.
Freelance packaging artworkers
Bill accurately by the hour without keeping a timesheet.
Your work stays on your Mac
- Time records, job names and file paths are stored locally on your computer.
- 48K LTD only receives what's needed to check your licence: licence key, machine ID, plugin version, IP address and time of check.
- If you set up a webhook, data goes only to the address you enter.
- No screenshots, no keystroke logging, no content of your files.
Features on their way
We're building TimeSync with the people who use it. Here's what's on its way. Plans may change.
Time in other apps
Count time in Photoshop, Acrobat, InDesign, Finder or Mail towards the job you're on, or detect the job number from the window title.
Photoshop and InDesign panels
The same tracking inside Adobe's other apps, all logging to one place.
Team dashboard
Every job across your team in one place: search, filter by client, job or date, and export for invoicing.
Add time manually
Log meetings, calls and off-screen work against a job in a couple of clicks.
Edit and tidy entries
Adjust, split or remove logged blocks, with a record of changes.
Clients and budgets
Group jobs by client, set an hours budget per job, and get a heads-up before it runs over.
Estimate vs actual
Compare quoted hours with real time per job to sharpen future quotes.
Accounting exports
Ready-made exports for Xero and QuickBooks.
Windows support
TimeSync for Illustrator on Windows.
Works with CopySync
Time per SKU when applying nutrition data with CopySync.
Something you need? Tell us: info@48k.solutions
Plans for one artworker or a whole team
Solo
1 seat. For freelancers.
Contact us for pricing
- Idle-aware tracking
- Break prompts
- Knows when you've switched off
- Jobs from file names
- Amend rounds, grouped
- Job history and search
- Today and all-rounds totals
- Exports in your format
- Webhook for other systems
- Private by design
- Works offline
- Fits Illustrator
Studio
Up to 3 seats. For small studios.
Contact us for pricing
- Idle-aware tracking
- Break prompts
- Knows when you've switched off
- Jobs from file names
- Amend rounds, grouped
- Job history and search
- Today and all-rounds totals
- Exports in your format
- Webhook for other systems
- Private by design
- Works offline
- Fits Illustrator
Team
Up to 10 seats. For agencies and in-house teams.
Contact us for pricing
- Idle-aware tracking
- Break prompts
- Knows when you've switched off
- Jobs from file names
- Amend rounds, grouped
- Job history and search
- Today and all-rounds totals
- Exports in your format
- Webhook for other systems
- Private by design
- Works offline
- Fits Illustrator
Need more than 10 seats? Enterprise licences are available – contact us.
Annual and perpetual licences available. TimeSync is launching soon. A free 7-day trial will be available at launch. Email info@48k.solutions for early access.
All prices exclude VAT.
System requirements
- macOS 12 Monterey or later
- Adobe Illustrator 2024 (v28) or later
- Internet connection for licence checks (works offline for up to 24 hours)
- Installs as an Illustrator panel: Window › Extensions › TimeSync
Questions
How does TimeSync know I'm working?
+
It counts time only when Illustrator is the app in front, a document is active, and you've used the keyboard or mouse within your idle limit (3 minutes by default, adjustable).
What happens if I walk away?
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Once you pass the idle limit, TimeSync stops the clock at your last input, so none of the idle time is counted. When you come back after a longer break, it asks whether to add that time to the job or discard it.
How does it know which job I'm on?
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From the file name by default. You can also set a job ID in the panel, which is saved inside the file so it stays with it through Save As and renames.
Our files go A1, A2, A3. Will that split the job?
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No. Each file is logged as a round and grouped under one job. The default round markers are A, R, V and Rev, and you can set your own, or a custom pattern for your naming.
Does it record my screen or keystrokes?
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No. It only checks whether there has been any keyboard or mouse activity, not what it was. It never captures screenshots or file contents.
Where is my data stored?
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On your Mac. Only licence information is sent to 48K LTD. Exports go to the folder you choose, and webhook data only to the address you set.
Can I get the data into our own systems?
+
Yes. Export CSV, XML or JSON, or use the webhook to send each logged block as JSON as it happens.
What if I lock my screen or switch Mac user?
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That time is ignored automatically.
Does it work offline?
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Yes. Tracking carries on, and your licence is re-checked when you're next online (within 24 hours).
Is there a free trial?
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TimeSync is launching soon. A free 7-day trial will be available at launch. Email info@48k.solutions for early access.
Does it work with CopySync?
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They're separate plugins and run happily side by side. Closer integration is on the roadmap.
How much does it cost?
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Pricing depends on plan and licence type. Contact info@48k.solutions and we'll come back to you quickly.
Stop guessing your hours
TimeSync is launching soon. Email info@48k.solutions for early access.