Direct-to-Packaging Labels
Direct Label Printing – Smarter Labelling for Fresh Produce Packaging
Multisteps offers two label solutions to suit your fresh food packaging needs: traditional pressure-sensitive labels and our latest innovation—Direct-to-Packaging digital printing.
Our Direct-to-Packaging process eliminates the label altogether by printing directly onto your PET punnets, clamshells and trays using food-grade, high-resolution inks. It’s a cleaner, simpler solution designed for today’s operational pressures and tomorrow’s recycling standards.
Compare: Traditional vs Direct-to-Packaging Labels
| Traditional Labels | Direct-to-Packaging Labels | |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Manual or machine-applied adhesive labels | Printed directly onto PET punnets or trays |
| Materials | Paper or film with adhesive backing | Food-grade inks only—no backing or adhesives |
| Workflow | Label rolls, setup time, storage, reorders & freight | Eliminates label ordering, logistics and warehousing |
| Recyclability | Can cause contamination in PET recycling wash process | Clean mono-material PET, PREP-aligned |
| Best For | High-volume SKUs, broad applications | Supports variable data—change artwork or barcodes (e.g., QR) per SKU without switching label stock. Ideal for automated or short-run fresh produce packaging applications. |
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FAQs
Our print system is currently optimised for PET punnets and trays.
Max pack size: 320 mm wide × 75 mm high
Max print area: 250 x 250 mm
Print positions: Top and/or bottom
Yes. Our high-resolution digital print supports precise barcodes and QR codes.
Yes. UV-cured inks are scuff-resistant, smudge-proof, and transit-ready.
Yes. All trays are RIC 1 (PET) and comply with the APCO PREP tool.
We use a process colour system (CMYK-based) capable of rendering 16.7 million colours. Exact PANTONE matching is not supported.
MOQ depends on tray type, SKU frequency, and run length. Speak to our team for tailored recommendations.
