M&S are the first retailer to use digital print to produce confectionery packaging to package their Summer of Flavour Fruit Jellies, which are available in M&S stores across the UK.

The digitally printed, flexible packaging has been printed and laminated by Ultimate, a UK supplier of all the major UK retailers. As an M&S Hero Printer, Ultimate has supported it with the development of design and print standards for a number of key ranges.

Andrew Speck, M&S Commercial and Environmental Packaging Manager commented:

‘M&S and Ultimate have worked closely to develop food-approved digitally printed flexible packaging. Digital print allows small volumes of printed packaging to be produced, which enables new products to be trialled in-store. With no need for printing plates and a reduced artwork process, this has opened the door to on-demand print, something that conventional print techniques cannot deliver.’

Ultimate has reverse printed the M&S Fruit Jellies design using only four process colours, plus white, to match the existing eight colour flexo specification. Laminating digitally printed film requires specialist adhesives. Ultimate is leading the industry in the digital print and lamination of digitally print flexible films. The business is fully accredited to produce food standard flexo and digitally printed food packaging.

J&K Confectionery packed the M&S Fruit Jellies using its standard packing line to process and pack the digitally printed film.

Mark Trevethan, J&K Confectionery Projects and Development Executive commented:

‘The digitally printed film laminate supplied by Ultimate was excellent quality, and the packing process ran very smoothly. M&S confectionery products are premium and require premium packaging. The rich colour and fine detail achieved using digital print means the packs will look fantastic on-shelf.’