Case studies
Ultimate Packaging pioneers future print packaging
Ultimate Packaging has recently provided two food manufacturers with high quality retail packaging solutions.
Both brands were provided with a specialised print process known as Flexeye®* which produces superior quality high-definition photographic print for the highest impact on-shelf.
Crisp manufacturer, Pipers Crisps needed proof that Ultimate Packaging could produce the same quality print as the traditional gravure printing technique using Flexeye® and Managing Director Alex Albone was delighted with the result achieved. Packaging is extremely important to Pipers Crisps as it conveys our brand message and sets us apart from the competition. We will certainly look to Ultimate Packaging for future requirements.
Similarly the Flexeye® print process produced a solution for Bill Oddies Bird Food Recipes®, a brand that Haiths® distributes through grocery multiples and high street retailers. A long standing customer of Ultimate Packaging, Haiths® was delighted with the high quality print achieved for its newly-branded range.
National Account Manager, Ann Guest says, From start to finish, the project was completed professionally and the result was superb retail packaging at a reasonable cost. Its all part of a big expansion campaign weve initiated, which includes TV advertising and PR, so having the best packaging to go with it is really important.
Sales and Marketing Director at Ultimate Packaging, Chris Tonge says, Ultimate Packaging has pioneered this new method of printing. Our Flexeye® process uses just four colours to create exceptional designs that would normally have taken eight or ten, meaning that less ink is used in each design. We created this process with Kodak and are proud to be able to introduce this to local food manufacturers. We look forward to rolling it out to other customers on a national basis.
Youngs Seafood champions new flexo packaging
Youngs Seafood has championed a new printing technique for its food packaging which uses an innovative flexographic process instead of the traditional gravure method.
The new flexographic printing process has been developed by Ultimate Packaging, one of the UKs leading independent flexographic print suppliers to the food manufacturing and retail industry, Kodak USA and Miller Graphics in East Yorkshire. The process will generate the same outstanding image quality and consistency as gravure but with the convenience and flexibility of flexo print.
Ultimate Packaging has spent the past twelve months working closely with its partners to develop, test and integrate the new print product, which has been christened Flexeye®.
Many other major UK brand owners are also indicating a move away from gravure print as they seek a more sustainable, commercially-sound alternative, according to Chris Tonge, Sales and Marketing Director at Ultimate Packaging. This is the single most exciting print development in the flexo industry for many years as it ticks all the boxes for printers and brand owners alike.
The introduction of Flexeye® allows us to push the boundaries of flexo print and drive increased revenues through differentiated print, reducing costs through production efficiencies and increasing sustainability through reduction in printed substrate waste. We are absolutely committed to converting brand owners away from the traditional gravure process by demonstrating the ability to produce cost effective, amazing photographic print alongside vibrant solid colours.
The flexo process can produce high-end complex designs on packs using just four colours instead of eight, reducing ink wastage and downtime associated with washing special pantones from printing presses.
We have recently delivered our first commercial range of 30 designs for an existing branded customer and have now launched the concept to our major partners and selected retailers all are incredibly excited about the possibilities of Flexeye®.
Simon Robertson, Graphics Communication Manager at Findus Group added:This new technique gives our products greater on-shelf impact and high-definition image quality that at one time could only be achieved with gravure print. Now we can take advantage of the commercial and economical benefits as well as the flexibility that this new technique offers.
Ultimate Packaging produces new Florette range
Ultimate Packaging and its recent alliance with 10D Creative, has demonstrated its design, photography, project management and printing credentials with the re-launch of the Florette salad brand, for Soleco UK.
As the first significant project undertaken by the new partnership, it was crucial that the process, from concept design to print, was seamless. Chris Tonge, Sales and Marketing Director, Ultimate Packaging says, we needed to demonstrate to a major customer that we are now able to successfully undertake complete brand management.
The packaging needed to convey the superior freshness of the brand, using vibrant colourways, realistic water droplets and large visibility windows, giving the new range of bags and trays maximum impact on shelf. From the first artworks, we were supplied with rotatable 3D models of each pack design, says Niki Webster, Florette Brand Manager.
Because of this technology, we were able to make important decisions regarding the look of our new packaging at a very early stage.
The new partnership resulted in the production of the complete range on schedule and the quality of the designs exceeded expectations. Niki continued, We were delighted with the way that the redesign was handled and it was fantastic to be given full visibility at every stage of the design process.
The 3D packs really brought our new packaging to life. As the UKs number one selling bagged salad brand we were delighted to trial these new innovations and it certainly helped us to produce the right result first time creating a design that reinforced our freshness and quality credentials, in turn to help shoppers make a quicker purchasing decision.
Chris Tonge added, In the current climate, competition is stronger than ever and so in developing our business and adding creative design, photographic and repro to our offering, our customers can now experience complete brand management.
With our high-impact 3D visuals and streamlined production process, we offer a unique and cost-effective solution to our customers design and packaging needs.
Ultimate Packaging reveals flexible potato bags for Marks & Spencer
Karen Rowe, Print and Colour Manager, Marks & Spencer
Ultimate Packaging has produced an outstanding pack concept for our two potato product ranges. Our brief was to reduce the weight of the packs by producing them from flexible plastic instead of paper which was successfully achieved.
The packaging needed to reflect the high-quality produce, convey the Plan A messages, and additionally offer improved convenience and performance for the customer.
With this pack, Ultimate Packaging produced superior quality printed designs maintaining the characteristics of the traditional sack format with clear, high-impact product photography and brand marketing.
An innovative handle was also created in response to the original brief to demonstrate enhanced usability for the customer which in our opinion was a first-class concept. A print free clear strip on the back of pack offered customer visibility of produce inside.
One of the most important elements of our brief was to support Marks and Spencer deliver one of its key Plan A objectives; reduction in packaging weight. Ultimate Packaging was able to create a solution that reduced our annual packaging weight by 11 tonnes.