Fusion Flexibles supplies printed bags for Star Wars collector’s editions of Empire Magazine
Fusion Flexibles, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers, converters and printers of flexible packaging products for the publishing, security, food and mailing markets, has recently supplied striking metallised film laminate bags for two exclusive Star Wars: The Last Jedi collector’s editions of Bauer Media’s movie magazine, Empire.
The light and dark themed covers, featuring Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) respectively, hit newsstands on November 30 and are the latest in Empire’s portfolio of Star Wars exclusives.
The two versions of the Empire January 2018 issue reflect the main characters in the current trilogy of Star Wars films. The light side pack with Rey is printed using seven colours with a blue palette, whilst the dark side option with Kylo Ren is printed using eight colours and a red palette.
Fusion Flexibles produced the bags from a three-part laminate comprising metallised and inner sealing layers. The packs, which are reverse printed on an outer clear layer, boast a thickness of 182 microns and incorporate a highly functional flat skirt sidewall seal.
Carl Lawrence, print production controller at Bauer Media, said: “The key requirement was for packaging that utilised superior materials for the production of bags that had striking visual impact along with premium quality to best showcase the Empire brand while on the newsstand.
“The metallised film laminate material was selected from a range of packaging substrates being discussed. In fact, a sample of a previously produced order supplied by Fusion Flexible was the option which most closely matched the criteria.”
Offering its readers an irresistible package, Empire has opened its prized archives for the first time since 1997 to produce a bespoke 40 years of Star Wars supplement focussing on the original trilogy. Also included with the issue is an exclusive LucasFilm double-sided art print.
Bauer Media required the bags to be strong and easy to open ensuring they can be kept by the consumer as part of the collection alongside the magazine and gifts.
“A lot of bags tear when opened but it was essential these packs remained intact so they could be included as part of the whole offering with exclusive artwork printed on to the bags which complements the magazine cover and feature layout,” added Lawrence.
Fusion Flexibles has been working with Bauer Media for several years supplying printed flexible packaging materials for several of its magazine titles, including previously promoted issues of Empire which have required printed polyethylene or foil bags.
This latest issue builds on Empire’s relationship with Star Wars, which has included a whole host of styles of publishing.
Talking about the overall service provided by Fusion Flexibles, Lawrence said: “The service provided by Fusion Flexibles on this project was first class, from supplying a sample for the selection process that provided the wow factor all the way through to delivery into the finishing house. The final bag looked great, which we are confident will translate into positive reviews and sales.
“The team at Fusion Flexibles worked to very tight deadlines and provided a lot of help and advice where required. They went over and above what was required to deliver a final product that fulfilled the original criteria set out at the start of the project.”