Is stand up pouch packaging right for you?

Choosing packaging for your product can be complex due to the many choices available and the various combinations you can use to achieve your final packaging solution. Stand up pouches can help remove the complexity of this process due to how versatile they are. They offer protection to your products and can be customised to represent your brand in many different ways, as well as being a more sustainable alternative to other packaging options. We’ve outlined everything you need to know to help you understand whether stand up pouch flexible packaging is suitable for you and how to get started with using it.

What is a stand up pouch?

A stand up pouch is a type of packaging that securely contains products within a sealed pouch-like space. Sometimes referred to as doy packs, stand up bags, or standing pouches, they're used for products in just about every industry. They’re a flexible solution made up of one or several layers of high-quality materials that keep the products within fresh and safe from the outside elements. Some doy packs can stand up, others lie flat or have spouts, and some have characteristics such as bottom gussets, folded bottoms, flat, square or box bottoms or side gussets.

Stand up pouches come in various materials, sizes and finishes, meaning they can be fully customised to match the product and brand they’re representing. As they’re so easy to customise, they can help your product stand out against the competition, and they won’t restrict your creative visions. There’s a different type of pouch for every use and case, which is why it’s important to match your product with the right pouch.

How customisable are stand up pouches?

Stand up pouches can be customised in many ways and in even more variations than we advertise on our website. To help keep things simple, we’ve chosen to show some of the most common customisation options, but when speaking to customers, we’ll quickly understand if a  niche type of customisation would be beneficial and we’d advise accordingly. To help you understand the different options you have, here are some of the different ways you can customise your stand up pouch:

  1. Material - such as aluminium pouches, Kraft pouches or clear material
  2. Finish - from matte to shiny, and everything in between
  3. Features - windowed sections, punched handles, euro slots, , seals, valves and more
  4. Size - anything from small pouches  to heavy-duty square bottom pouches
  5. Style - classic stand up pouches, spout pouches and square bottom pouches 
  6. Print - customised branding printed onto the pouch to match your brand’s vision
  7. Other - from tear notches to caps, and resealable grip-seal/zipper openings

The versatility of stand up pouches

Stand up pouches can be adapted to just about anything. Whether you produce award-winning cocktails, create the most irresistible dog treats on the market or manufacture fishing boilies, a stand up pouch should always be considered for a product’s packaging. We have experience working with many industries and product types that have benefited from using stand up pouches for their products and can supply the following printed stand up pouches: 

  1. Stand up pouches with spouts
  2. Stand up pouches with valves 
  3. Stand up pouches with punched handles
  4. Stand up pouches with square bottoms
  5. Stand up pouches with tear notches
  6. Stand up pouches with zipper/grip seals
  7. Stand up pouches with windows
  8. Stand up pouches with glossy finishes
  9. Stand up pouches with matte finishes
  10. Aluminium stand up pouches
  11. Kraft stand up pouches
  12. Clear stand up pouches
  13. Recyclable stand up pouches
  14. Mono-material stand up pouches

Your stand up pouch can be adapted to the type of product you’re storing within, with considerations for other factors such as your branding, where the item will be sold, and how your consumer will interact with them. Some of the most common products suitable for stand up pouches  are:

Stand up pouches for food & perishables

Stand up pouches help to keep food items fresh, secure and free of moisture. This can help extend their shelf life, and our customisation options such as resealable openings make them ideal for customers. Some examples include:

  • Fresh food
  • Dried food and fruit
  • Cereals
  • Nuts
  • Spices
  • Rice
  • Popcorn
  • Sauces

Stand up pouches for soft & alcoholic drinks

Stand up pouches, specifically spouted pouches, offer a modern alternative to traditional drinks packaging, helping your product stand out amongst the competition. Due to the flexibility of pouches, they’re easy to fill with liquids as well as empty or squeeze the contents for your customers to consume what’s within.

  • Cocktails
  • Spirits
  • Wine
  • Smoothies
  • Energy drinks
  • Juices
  • Soda
  • Water

Printed stand up pouches for hot drinks & beverages

Whether it’s ready made drinks, tea leaves or bags, ground coffee or coffee beans in raw form - stand-up pouches' customisation options make them a perfect partner for hot drinks and beverages. Due to the options with printing, it’s easy to showcase your brand and provide all of the information you need to show your customers about your product.

  • Loose leaf tea
  • Matcha
  • Coffee
  • Hot chocolate
  • Mushroom tea

Custom stand up pouches for pet food & treats

From dried food to wet treats, stand up pouches have been used for pet products for a long time due to their flexibility, durability, and ability to keep the contents inside fresh for everyone’s favourite pets. From square bottom pouches which are great for heavier loads, to smaller pouches for special treats, there’s a stand up pouch suitable for every kind of pet food product. Here are some examples:

  • Cat food
  • Dog food
  • Horse feed
  • Bird food
  • Fish food
  • Rabbit & Guinea Pig food
  • Chinchilla food

Resealable stand up pouches for gardening supplies

Garden products need to be kept safe from the outside elements to ensure they stay in the perfect shape needed to do their job. The layer(s) that make up a stand up pouch ensure the elements can’t get to the contents within.

  • Garden seeds
  • Pesticide
  • Soil & fertiliser

Recyclable stand up pouches for beauty & cosmetics

Beauty and cosmetics products need a packaging solution that keeps them fresh before they’re used, as well as the right branding and information to convince customers to try their product. Stand-up pouches will help keep these products at the optimum freshness, and they can be easily customised to stand out from the competition.

  • Face masks
  • Skin creams
  • Sea salts
  • Makeup
  • Soaps, gels & sanitisers
  • Toiletries
  • Sanitary products

Eco friendly stand up pouches for health & fitness

Health and fitness products often need to be resealed after each use so they can be accessed again and again. Resealable pouches help to keep the products safe from moisture and other residues between each use, and their strong material means they’ll be able to withstand the weight of what's packaged within.

  • Protein powder
  • Vitamins
  • Supplements
  • Swim accessories
  • Sports equipment
  • Fitness accessories

Clear stand up pouches for home DIY & electronics

Traditionally, these products would be kept within packaging which is harder on the environment and difficult to customise with your branding. Pouches offer a more sustainable solution, and the flexibility of each pouch means they can handle objects of all different shapes and sizes.

  • Nuts & bolts
  • Screws & nails
  • Computer equipment
  • Mobile accessories
  • Cables & chargers
  • Gadgets & batteries

Stand up pouches for fishing & outdoors

Let customers know everything they need to know about your fishing and outdoor products by printing them directly onto your pouch. It’ll be easy for them to transport your product during their trips, and the option for resealable openings means the pouch will keep the contents fresh between uses.

  • Fishing bait & boilies
  • Fishing lines
  • Hooks & tackle
  • Fishing nets
  • Dehydrated foods
  • Camping equipment

Stand up pouches for jewellery & clothing

Fashion items need to stand out, and pouches offer a different way to present your product compared to the competition. You can make sure customers know all about your brand by customising the pouch the items are delivered in.

  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Jewellery
  • Hats, scarves & gloves
  • Ties
  • Handkerchiefs
We’re here to help

We offer free expert advice and support for anyone who needs product packaging, and we’d love to hear about your project and help find the right pouch for you.

The sustainability of stand up pouches

Sustainability is a key focus for many individuals and businesses, so considering how pouches can help you and your consumers make positive environmental steps should be a key factor when choosing your packaging. Through our initiatives and processes, we ensure that we do everything we can to improve the sustainability of our pouch packaging solution, and here’s how our eco friendly stand up pouches can help:

  1. Easy to transport - Stand up pouches are made from lightweight materials, and their flexibility means they’re easy to pack and transport without taking up too much space.
  2. Reduces waste - Pouches help to keep the contents within them fresh and safe from moisture, sunlight and other contaminants. Reducing product wastage is one of the key focuses towards a more sustainable future.
  3. Feeds into the circular economy - Our standing pouches feed into the circular economy, and can be designed to be recycled, meaning that the material can be  repurposed time and time again.
  4. Recyclability - There is a lot of confusion for consumers on whether packaging can be recycled and which parts aren’t. Stand up pouches can be produced so they can be recycled..
  5. Reduces your environmental footprint - Compared to other packaging options, a stand up pouch can help reduce your product's impact on the environment. From transportability to wastage and how your consumers deal with the packaging after using them, it all adds up and goes a long way.
  6. Product to space ratio - Pouches are available in varying sizes and are very flexible, meaning they can be completely filled with the product within rather than leaving empty space. This is resource efficient and can help to reduce the weight and space required to transport your goods.

Working with a stand up pouch packaging specialist

Teaming up with a stand up pouch provider can help you achieve the best possible result for your product’s packaging. We offer our expertise and advice so that you’re aware of every decision you’ll need to make along the way, as well as helping you to understand the various options available in the world of stand up pouches. We consider sustainability at the heart of every action we take, which means that when you partner with someone like us, you can pass on that value to the customers who will be using and consuming your products. We’d love to hear more about your project and help you find out more about why stand up pouches might be the perfect partner for your product.

Contact SPS Pouches

If you have any enquiries concerning our pouch packaging, or would simply like to get in touch with our team, you can use the contact form or details below.

5 Yeomans Way, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 0BL
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