a packaging method and apparatus wherein each product is packaged by capturing the product in flexible packaging material . the packing apparatus includes a product detector for detecting the presence or absence of a product to be packaged . the detection of the product may cause the advancement of packaging material and the product through a nipping station to form a package . the failure to detect a product may cause the advancement of the packaging material to stop and conserve packaging material until a product is detected . the product detector may be a color sensor trained to detect a color of the first web , a luminescence sensor trained to detect a luminance of the first web , or a light - sensitive sensor trained to detect a difference in light passing through the first web . also , a luminescence additive may be joined with the lower web to provide a distinct luminance .