Today's manufacturers are raving about the endless benefits of stand up pouches, as they have revolutionized how products can be displayed and merchandised at retail. They use much less material than other traditional packaging methods like cartons or boxes, and can be completely customized to fit any need. But understanding why this flexible packaging can be so beneficial to your business really requires an understanding of how they are made, as they can be made much cheaper and more efficiently than you'd probably think.
The first thing to remember about stand up pouches is that they are a laminated film bag, typically made of plastics or a blend of plastic film and aluminum foil. They can be printed with any color, logo, or design, so the potential to really make an impact on retail shelves is very high.
Made from a continuous web of material, the first step in the manufacturing process of a stand up pouch happens when the material is passed through a set of plows that fold a W-shape gusset into the bottom so it can stand up. If a zipper is to be part of the package, it is sealed on the inside faces of the web near the top edge. Zippers, also known as zip locks, are the most common access method, but spouts, perforations and other recloseable openings are also available.
Once the gusset is formed, vertical seals are then made along the pouch's sides, and the zipper is pressed into the same area to seal its ends and reduce its thickness. The bottom folds of the pouch are then sealed, as are seals that hold the gusset together at the ends. The pouch is then cut apart vertically through the center of the side seals to create the container part of the bag, and it is then carried to the station that will fill the pouch with the final product or packaged in cartons for shipment to the end user.
After the product is dispensed into the pouch, it travels to another manufacturing station where the zipper is closed and the pouch is sealed again, above the zipper. A notch is usually cut into the sides of the pouch between the top seal and the zipper, so it is easy for end users to open.
Stand up pouches are excellent options for both dry and liquid products, such as pet food, liquid household cleaners, personal care items, chemical products, and granular products like salt or sugar. Once complete, the stand up pouch is extremely durable and user-friendly - both for consumers and for your profits!
