The Complete Guide to Custom Flexible Packaging Bags

If you're looking for something to elevate the appearance of your product and packaging, then what do you think? Would you believe us if we told you there is a type of packaging that elevates your brand's presence on shelves, is functional for your products, and is environmentally friendly? We're talking about custom pouches.

The rising demand for packaged food has led to businesses adopting Custom Flexible Packaging Bags that caters to cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal for their products. In recent years, pouches have become increasingly popular as a flexible packaging option, and there's good reason for that.

With MarketsandMarkets forecasting stand-up pouches to dominate the pouch market between 2019 and 2024, pouches are versatile for a wide range of industries, including food and beverage, medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and personal care. The food and beverage industry has seen a spike in demand for stand-up pouches because of their inherent synergies with the products and their abundance of benefits. This guide will cover everything you need to know before starting your pouch packaging project!

1. Why Use Flexible Pouches? Understanding Their Benefits

The Flexible Packaging Association states that flexible packaging is one of the fastest-growing packaging industries. Businesses that switched to stand-up pouches had a 25% increase in shelf impact and a 30% reduction in packaging costs, according to a 2023 industry report by GlobalData.

By combining the best protective qualities of plastic, film, paper, and aluminum foil, flexible packaging and pouches add value to food and non-food products. Pouches offer:

Pouch production is more cost-effective because less material is used than traditional packaging.

Enhanced Visibility and Aesthetic Appeal - Pouches have a strong shelf presence due to their ability to stand upright.

Portability and Convenience – Having a lightweight and slim profile that takes up less space when filled or unfilled, it reduces shipping costs and allows efficient storage and distribution. According to the Flexible Packaging Association, one truckload of empty flexible pouches is equal to 26 truckloads of empty glass jars.

Pouches are designed with barriers and special films that prevent external factors such as odours, oxygen, light, and bacteria from contaminating products and extending their shelf life.

During production, flexible pouches produce 75% less CO2 emissions and use 75% less energy than metal containers of equivalent products, according to the Flexible Packaging Association.

2. Custom or Premade Pouches - Which Fits Your Needs?

Custom pouches offer so much more than stock pouches. Though premade pouches are cheaper, customization is almost non-existent, a significant disadvantage in today's marketplace.

The custom stand up pouches, on the other hand, are designed from scratch to fit your product and branding requirements. PakFactory offers unlimited customization options, from pouch type to materials to coatings to layers. When you create a unique design that is attractive, convenient, and functional for your customers, you help distinguish your brand from the competition and create a positive image.

3. Types of Pouches

When designing custom pouches, the first thing you need to decide is which type you want. Different pouches have their own set of benefits, but choosing the one that works best for your product is another benefit.

4. Materials to choose for your pouch

When you have decided on the type of flexible pouch that will suit your product, you need to decide on the materials you will use to create it as well. Choosing the right pouch is just as important as choosing the right pouch, so it's important to consider all your options before making a choice. There are several types of pouches used, including plastic, metal foil, paper, and bioplastics.

5. Pouches that can be customized

The optional customization has been briefly mentioned in this guide, but it is necessary to go over it in greater depth in order to illustrate the breadth of options. There are many ways to customize pouches, including fitments, closures, merchandising features, layers, and shapes.

6. Filling and treatment of pouches

Now that you have your packaging tailored to your needs, you should consider one of the most crucial aspects of your pouch packaging endeavor: how to fill those pouches.

It is important to note that different treatment and packaging techniques contribute not only to your product's ability to maintain its freshness and taste while maintaining an optimal shelf life, but are also crucial to ensuring it meets FDA safety, compliance, and quality standards. Get more info about custom flexible packaging manufacturers.

7. The Best Techniques for Printing Custom Pouches

Depending on your pouch's purpose, budget, and type of finish, one technique may be better suited to your needs than another.

Nevertheless, before we discuss the various printing techniques available to you, it is important to note that color matching with packages containing multiple components of different materials can be challenging. With this in mind, let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of each printing technique.

8. Need help with custom pouch packaging?

There are a lot of factors to consider in this guide, which may seem overwhelming, but they are all equally important to a successful pouch project. Regardless of whether you're looking for more help, looking for a pouch packaging manufacturer, or looking for a pouch packaging partner, PakFactory is the right choice for you.