A stand up pouch is the flexible package you see holding coffee, pet treats, powders and snacks: a laminated film bag with a gusset at the bottom that opens out into a base when filled, so the pack stands on a shelf instead of slumping.
Anatomy
- The web. Laminated film, usually two or more layers bonded together, because no single film does everything.
- Side seals. Heat sealed edges that form the body.
- Bottom gusset. A folded panel that opens into a base. The deeper the gusset, the wider the footprint and the more stable the pouch.
- Top seal. Sealed by you after filling, often above a zipper.
- Features. Zipper, tear notch, hang hole, spout, window or a one way degassing valve for freshly roasted coffee.
How pouches are sized
The convention is width x height + bottom gusset. A pouch written as 5 x 8 + 3 in is 5 in wide, 8 in tall and has a 3 in gusset. Two things follow from that:
- The stated height includes the seal area, so the usable fill height is less than the number suggests.
- Capacity is a volume question, and volume depends on how your product packs. Ground coffee, whole beans, protein powder and freeze dried treats at the same weight take very different volumes. Always confirm with a physical test fill before committing to a run.
Film structures and what they are for
| Structure | Character | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Clear laminate (polyester and polyethylene) | Product visible, moderate barrier | Snacks, confectionery, anything sold on appearance |
| Metallised film | Reflective, better light and moisture barrier | Coffee, powders, longer shelf life |
| Foil laminate | The strongest barrier of the three, opaque | Oxygen and moisture sensitive products |
| Kraft paper outer with an inner barrier | Natural look, printable, barrier from the liner | Speciality food and craft brands |
| Recycle ready mono material | Designed for a single material stream | Brands with a recyclability target |
Film thickness is quoted in mil or in microns and is part of the specification. A thicker web resists punctures and feels more substantial, at a higher cost per unit.
Where a pouch beats a box, and where it does not
Pouches win on shipping weight, on shelf presence for a printed graphic, and on resealability. They lose where the product needs rigid protection, where you want a stackable cube for a pallet, or where the brand needs the structure of a carton. Plenty of products use both: a pouch inside a printed carton gives you barrier and shelf structure together, at the cost of two components.
Print and artwork
Pouch printing is done on the film before conversion, so the artwork must account for the fold at the gusset and for the seal areas where art will be distorted or hidden. Supply vector art, and mark the gusset and the seal zones clearly. Our page on packaging artwork file formats covers the file requirements in detail.
Ordering, minimum and turnaround
Minimum order is 100 units, from about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes, confirmed on your written quote. Film structure, size, features and print coverage all move the price. Plates, design support, US shipping and a digital proof before print are included.
Turnaround runs in three lanes: rush (expedited production with air freight), standard (air) and cost saver (sea), from about 7 business days plus 2 to 5 for delivery, and specialty imported flexible work can run up to about 12 weeks, so plan a first pouch order with room. Rush adds about 7 to 25% depending on the job. We produce in West Chicago and in Guangzhou. To order, see custom stand up pouches.
Tell us the fill weight, the product type and whether you need a zipper or a valve, then request a quote. If your product is unusual in density, send a sample so the capacity is proven rather than estimated.
