Types of Flexible Pouches
The food packaging industry has fully embraced the use of flexible pouches in the past few years. And why not? These single-use bags made from plastic and/or metal foil are more affordable than other types of packaging such as glass, metal, and cardboard. Flexible pouches also don't take up a lot of space whether they are displayed on the shelves or in storage. On top of that, they are resealable, making them ideal for packaging snacks, coffee or tea, grains, and even liquids.
You are probably familiar with stand-up pouches and have seen them on grocery shelves. They are among the most popular types of flexible packaging pouches today. If you are looking to get these pouches for your products, we suggest taking a few minutes to learn more about the other types of packaging pouches. There might be something more suitable for your packaging needs.
6 Popular Types of Pouches
Stand-Up Pouches
As the name implies, stand-up pouches can stand on store shelves because of their wide base and bottom gusset. They are often resealable, which makes them great for products that can be used and stored as needed including spices, cereals, chips, cookies, baking powders, coffee, and more. Aside from the resealable zipper, other features such as tear notches, gas valves, and hang holes are available for stand-up pouches. In terms of printing, there’s more than enough space on a stand-up pouch where you can insert your logo, artwork, and other important details.
Three-Side Seal Pouches
Three-side seal pouches are made from a variety of materials. They are typically composed of metal foil, a combination of metal foil and plastic, or paper. To make three-side seal pouches, two sheets of any of these materials are layered on top of each other and then heat-sealed on three sides. Three-side seal pouches often come with tear-away lids for easy access to the products and hang holes that make them convenient to display near checkout counters. They are great for storing products such as spices and pet food.
Pouches
Pouches can contain liquid, powder, or dry cosmetic products. They come with resealable openings that allow for easy use and longer shelf life, protecting your item from oxygen and moisture. Print stand-up pouches with wide bottom gussets that expand when filled or flat pouches for your smaller freebies and samples. There are also child-resistant pouches to prevent children from tampering and ingesting the item inside.
No need for additional packaging to complete your design. Have the design printed on the pouch, from your visual branding to the information customers look for before choosing your product. Stand-up pouches come in a clear barrier film if you want to offer a preview of the product on the shelves.
Side Gusseted Pouches or Flat Bottom Bags
Similar to stand-up pouches, side-gusseted pouches have a wide base that allows them to stand up on their own. The bottom is usually flat while both sides are gusseted. The front and back of these pouches have enough room for printing or application of custom labels. The top part of side-gusseted pouches is either sealed or folded down and glued. Some side-gusseted pouches have package valves to ensure that the product inside stays fresh while preventing oxygen from getting inside. This feature also allows customers to smell the scent of the product – which is advantageous for products like coffee.?
Pillow Pouches
Probably the most widely used type of flexible packaging is the pillow pouch. Products such as chips, instant coffee, crackers, candies, chocolates, and other single-serve food items use pillow pouches. These pouches come with a heat-sealed top and bottom and may feature a sombrero-style hang hole so they can be displayed on metal pegs. Most pillow pouches you can see today are non-resealable, but we can easily add a plastic zipper for easy resealing and opening.
Spouted Stand-Up Pouches
Stand-up pouches and spouted stand-up pouches are practically the same. The only difference is that the latter has a spout and cap that can be found at the center or in one corner of the pouches. The spouted stand-up pouches are convenient storage for various liquid products such as juice, alcohol, water, dishwashing soap, and other fluids. Compared to the traditional packaging of liquids like bottles and jars, these pouches are easier to manufacture, more affordable and need less space for storage and shipping.