Pouches are the go-to packaging method for food and beverage items. Unlike boxes, pouches can extend an item’s shelf life and be resealed after opening. They’re also cheaper to ship and are more likely to stand out along the grocery aisle. It’s a win-win situation for your business and your customers. But to maximize the benefits of this packaging type, you need to get the correct pouch size for your product. Getting accurate dimensions ensures the product is protected in transit, appears presentable on display, and does not damage the items once the pouch is opened or reopened.
Before we discuss measuring pouch size accurately, it’s important to understand the difference between the two most common pouch types: stand-up and flat pouches. Understanding the structure of each is integral to getting the correct size. Stand-up pouches have a gusset at the bottom that keeps the pouch upright once filled with your item and displayed. As its name implies, flat pouches are laid flat and do not have a bottom gusset.
Volume is another important consideration in measuring your pouch’s size,
especially with the stand-up type. A smaller, finer product like ground coffee
will take less volume than coffee beans. When measuring stand-up pouches, you
need to account for the item’s volume.
Here’s a list of the recommended pouch sizes based on their volume in cups and
the weight of coffee beans and flour:
The pouch’s fillable area starts from below the zipper down to the bottom. To
account for the volume, start from the point below the zipper closure, not
from the pouch’s top edge.
Now that you have a complete picture of the pouch’s dimensions, here’s how to
accurately measure its three dimensions:
Use the guide below to account for your item’s volume in a flat pouch:
Note that these listed capacities are only approximations. We recommend measuring your pouch’s actual width and height based on the item type for precise measurements.
An accurate size isn’t the only essential point to consider in selecting your
packaging. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines have specific
rules for flexible food packaging, such as pouches. According to
packaging law, all food packaging, including the flexible kind, is prohibited from
distributing adulterating food. Food adulteration occurs when the packaging
renders the packaged item unfit or unsafe for consumption.
Food additive inclusions are also considered adulterations. The FDA defines a
food additive as any substance that results or is expected to affect the
food’s characteristics. This can include any substance used in packing,
packaging, or holding food.
These exemptions are only valid if the food contact substance has no
carcinogenic ingredients or impurities. If your flexible packaging pouch
complies with the exemptions or clearance, it must also follow the FDA’s good
manufacturing practices (GMP). The material for food contact has to be of a
“purity suitable for its intended use.” Further, the packaging material must
not impart any odor or taste to the food, rendering the contents unfit for
consumption.
Once you have the correct pouch size and have reviewed the packaging material
based on FDA regulations, you can start customizing the design for your
product. UPrinting makes it easy with its upload function or Online Design
tool. You can directly send us your print-ready file or create it from scratch
on your browser. Check out the
available custom pouches
and start designing the best flexible packaging for your business.
For more information flat bottom pouch, please get in touch with us!