My Stand Up Bag Supplier Is A Manufacturer

Folks, I wish this were true, but it is not.  Many stand up pouch suppliers in the US and Canada are not manufacturers but are telling people they are.  This, in my opinion, is the absolute worst thing a company can do.  Stand up pouches are made from multiple layers of barrier film that must be designed based upon what a product needs for barrier properties and protection, not something that is one-size fits all.  If a product has an oil coating or residue, the film structure must be able to withstand it or the stand up bag could delaminate and basically fall apart.  If a product is susceptible to picking up odors, this must be taken into account.  If your product is going to have to withstand big temperature swings from a freezer to a warm warehouse and back to a freezer, wouldn't you want to use material that could withstand that?

Forget all the babble about the product and the proper protection, lying is unacceptable, tell the freaking truth.  Integrity matters everywhere.  By all means, visit your manufacturer, go and watch your stand up pouches being run, ask for a plant tour, you may be surprised.  Hey, there are plenty of actual suppliers of custom printed stand up pouches in the US, but very few who can run high quality at low minimum runs.  Further, there are few (if any) who can Rotogravure print (the highest quality available) for low minimums.  If they say they can do these things, great, plan a visit to be sure, that's all I'm saying.

As I mentioned above, the material selection is critical based upon the product being packaged.  Just as important are all the steps taken for custom printing and color matching.  If your supplier isn't showing you at least a picture of a film proof from your printing cylinder once your artwork is approved, consider finding a new supplier.  If you are concerned about a certain color on your printed stand up bag matching something you already have in place, like a box or metal tin or other type of packaging, send that "something" to your manufacturer to take to the production line while your printed stand bag is being run to adjust the color accordingly.  Oh, if they won't do that for you (or they make it seem like it is a BIG deal) consider finding another supplier.

Custom printed stand up pouches are not "off the shelf" and simple to make, there are many pieces to the process.  Finding the right supplier should not be based completely on price.  If you have the cheapest price yet your printed stand up pouch looks like crap, was it worth it? If you plunk down $3500 for a custom printed stand up bag with a company that says it is a manufacturer and your pouches are made "right here at our factory" yet won't allow you to visit...BE AWARE!  Are you willing to gamble with $3500?

Look, we are passionate about this business, we would love to help you and your company, however, if you have another supplier, awesome, hold them accountable like you would any other supplier.  Oh, and if they screw up or you need something they aren't willing to do, Contact Us, we'll take good care of you.

Here is a video on custom printing colors you may find helpful