Flat Pouch Packaging: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Flat pouch packaging provides a flexible, reliable and convenient packaging solution.

But choosing the best pouch packaging can be an overwhelming task.

That’s why today’s guide will answer all questions you have been asking about flat pouch packaging.

What is a Flat Pouch Packaging?

Flat packaging pouch, as the name suggests, has 2 or more sealing sides with add-on features to make it more convenient.

Flat pouch packaging is also suitable for sample packaging or limited/single size portion servings.

In essence, it can be used to package smaller quantities of products.

Compostable flat pouch packaging

What are the Available Types of Flat Pouch Packaging?

There are quite a number of Flat pouch packaging that one can request for.

The wide range of Flat pouch packaging are different based on factors such as add-on features, lamination process, product preference, and material chosen.

Some of the available types of Flat pouch packaging in the market are:

I. Flat pouch packaging made using Aluminum foil together with additional features

• Aluminum foil flat bottom plastic flat pouch packaging
• Aluminum flat pouch packaging for food with ziplock
• Aluminum flat pouch packaging with tin tie for daily use product
• Aluminum laminated flat bottom plastic flat pouch packaging for dog food

II. Flat pouch packaging combined with add-on features

• Flat pouch packaging with tin tie for coffee
• Flat pouch packaging with printing
• Flat pouch packaging for food
• Flat pouch packaging for food with ziplock
• Matte gold plastic flat pouch packaging
• 3 Side Seal Flat Pouch with Zipper for Food Packaging

III. Flat pouch packaging made through additional lamination process

• Laminated flat pouch packaging for cat food
• Laminated flat pouch packaging for food
• Laminated plastic flat pouch packaging
• Laminated flat pouch packaging
• Laminated flat bottom plastic flat pouch packaging for dog food
• Laminated flat bottom plastic flat pouch packaging

IV. Flat pouch packaging made using recyclable, natural material combined with add-on features

• Recyclable white kraft paper flat pouch packaging with resealableziplock
• Recyclable white kraft paper flat pouch packaging with ziplock
• Recyclable white kraft paper laminated flat pouch packaging with window
• Recyclable white kraft paper laminated flat pouch packaging with ziplock
• Recyclable white kraft paper laminated flat pouch packaging with printing
• Recyclable brown kraft paper laminated flat pouch packaging
• Recyclable brown kraft paper laminated flat pouch packaging with ziplock
• Recyclable brown kraft paper laminated flat pouch packaging with hand hole
• Recyclable brown kraft paper flat pouch packaging bag with printing
• Recyclable brown kraft paper flat pouch packaging with customized window
• Recyclable brown kraft paper flat pouch packaging with window
• Recyclable brown kraft paper flat pouch packaging with printing
• Recyclable brown kraft paper flat pouch packaging with hand hole
• Recyclable brown kraft paper flat pouch packaging

V. Flat pouch packaging made using plastic material, and with additional features

• Plastic flat pouch packaging with ziplock for tea
• Plastic flat pouch packaging with ziplock for food
• Plastic flat pouch packaging with valve for coffee
• Plastic flat pouch packaging with printing
• Plastic flat pouch packaging with printing for seeds
• Plastic flat pouch packaging with ziplock for coffee

What are the Features of a Flat Pouch Packaging?

Metallized flat pouch

Brands often give specific requirements to manufacturing companies about what features their flat pouch packaging should have.

These features improve flat pouch packaging user friendliness as well as make them compatible with their products.

When people make purchases for products, they seek those that are packaged in excellent packaging solutions.

Some of the features of a flat pouch packaging include:

• Flat pouch packaging is an easy packaging option for a variety of products because of its user friendliness.
• It is an economical packaging
• Their design styles make them effortless to customize label placement and valve location.
• Flat pouch packaging is versatile as they can package a wide range of products
• This packaging is reusable
• It is eco-friendly
• It is FDA approved
• It is 100% food safe
• Flat pouch packaging has excellent barrier properties to protect products from the effects of UV light, chemicals, moisture and others.
• Flat pouch packaging is heat sealable to create a tamper evident and air tight environment
• It is convenient as it comes in different formats and sizes
• It is lightweight and can be shipped flat for easy storage
• Some of them have Matt surface which looks more professional and luxurious
• Flat pouch packaging has laminated interior to improve the shelf-life of products

Are Flat Pouch Packaging Safe for Human Food?

Absolutely, yes.

Flat pouch packaging is 100% food safe as they are BPA free.

This pouch packaging is equally made using high-quality and hygienic material.

Flat pouch packaging is printed using high quality ink which is safe

What is the Best Design for Flat Pouch Packaging?

You can access a flat pouch packaging that meets your requirements and products to be packaged.

However, some of the best design styles for flat pouch packaging include:

· 3-Side Seal Design

The best design style for Flat pouch packaging is 3-side seal design.

It features a one-sided clear panel for showing off your product.

The flat pouch packaging is sealed into three sides.

This design style makes the flat pouch packaging suitable for vacuum sealing.

· Center Seal Design

Center seal design style can be used to make flat pouch packaging.

This design offers flat pouch packaging strong sealing capabilities in the center back.

This design protects the products from:

• Moisture
• Air
• Other external factors

Do Flat Pouch Packaging Companies offer Labelling Services?

 3 side seal metal pouch packaging

Yes, they do.

Flat pouch packaging companies offer labelling services to their clients.

Companies have semi-automatic machines used for adhesive label application.

The machines are equipped to include a wide variety of pouch packaging and label sizes which makes it easy for companies to satisfy client label needs.

Using company technology, the labels are applied with low wastage rates and high precision.

As such, there is limited wastage of flat pouch packaging due to inaccurate label position.

What are the Add-on Features of a Flat Pouch Packaging?

Flat pouch packaging requires add-on features which could improve their ability to store products as well as make them easy to use.

The type of add-on feature included in your flat pouch packaging depends on a client’s requirements.

Some of the add-on features are:

· Hang-hole

This feature makes flat pouch packaging ideal for point-of-sale items.

It is used to hang flat pouch packages on display so customers can easily notice them

· Degassing Valves

This feature is suitable for their coffee products.

Coffee products tend to release natural gases that if left in the package could cause the flat pouch packaging to burst.

The degassing valve helps release these gases as well as prevent entry of oxygen gases into the package.

It helps in ventilating flat pouch packaging when placed in a microwave.

The steam produced when reheating the packaging passes through the vent.

· Tear Notches

Tear notches allow easy and clean tearing of flat pouch packaging

It is suitable for single use flat pouch packaging.

· Laser Perforation

This feature aids in easy tear/easy open controlled tear propagation, while maintaining barrier properties and package strength.

It is a straight-line contour to enable access to zipper as well as for reseal features.

It is helpful in achieving moisture release for fresh products, burst protection during transportation and controlled airflow.

· Windows

This feature provides the packages with a sneak peek of what is in the packaging.

It is often transparent material with a plastic film to protect the products from the effects of UV light.

· Rounded Corners

This feature helps prevent injuries that may arise from using packaging with sharp corners.

· Die-cut Shapes

Die-cut shapes provide structural benefits such as preventing stress cracking or providing additional stability.

It adds further convenience by making a flat pouch packaging easier to use.

It also reinforces a company’s branding

Can you Customize Flat Pouch Packaging?

There are several customizable options for a flat pouch packaging.

You can customize the printing, materials, re-sealable features, additional features, seal styles, and sizes.

Custom flat pouch packaging

· Materials

The chosen materials are according to the customer’s packaging needs.

Flat pouch packaging are made of food grade solvent free packaging materials.

A client can choose from Kraft paper, foil laminations, metallized films or clear films.

· Sizes

The size of the flat pouch packaging depends on the number of products a client wishes to store.

The packaging can be small, medium, large or customized size.

· Additional Features

Flat pouch packaging has add-on features integrated to improve its functionality and user friendliness.

The features could include hang holes, tear notches, valves and others.

· Printing

A client chooses the best printing process as well as ink.

The printing option depends on a client’s requirements and design.

Often, the choice depends on the cost, quality, ink and number of colors.

· Re-sealable Features

A flat pouch packaging can have either a slider or press-to-close zippers.

A slider is easy to open and convenient while a zipper is economical.

· Centre Seal Styles

A flat pouch packaging can have a Center seal or 3-side seal design.

It is up to the client to choose what is best for their products.

These are some of the customization capabilities of a flat pouch packaging.

What is the Cost of Flat Pouch Packaging?

The cost of flat pouch packaging is affordable.

Flat pouch packaging is comparatively lower cost because it is made using lesser material.

The raw materials used to make this pouch packaging are equally low cost and accessible.

The packaging is made in bulk thus economies enjoy economies of scale.

Besides, the overall production of flat pouch packaging is cheaper due to the low labor costs as well as equipment used.

Flat Pouch Packaging is Suitable for What Products?

Flat pouch packaging is suitable for products with quicker turnarounds.

Some of the products packaged in flat pouch packaging are:

• Coffee Products
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Teas
• Grains
• Snack foods
• Powdered mixes
• Smoked meats
• Dried meats
• Chips
• Beef jerky
• Bath salts
• Seafood and fish
• Frozen food
• Spices
• Sauces and soups
• Pet treats and food

What are the Factors to Consider before Purchasing a Flat Pouch Packaging?

When you decide to purchase a flat pouch packaging for your products, you have to ensure that it is the right one.

Some of the factors to consider before making a purchase of flat pouch packaging are:

· Cost

The type of flat pouch packaging that you choose should reflect the amount you are willing to pay.

A customized flat pouch packaging costs more than a standard flat pouch packaging because of its add-on features.

The add-on features could include more material or features, and this translates into the higher costs.

· Materials

Flat pouch packaging can be made using a wide range of materials.

These materials vary from natural and compostable material such as Kraft paper to recyclable material such as plastic polymers and metal foils.

The different materials also provide various properties that improve the functionality of flat pouch packaging as well as make them suitable for packaging products.

· Design

The design of flat pouch packaging has to be one that fits the products to be packaged.

It also has to provide adequate space for branding purposes.

The design can be 3-side seal or center seal design style.

· Purpose

One should determine if a flat pouch packaging solution is suitable for packaging their intended products or not.

Flat pouch packaging can be used to package a wide range of products as they are versatile.

· Size

A flat pouch packaging comes in different sizes; the pouch can be small, medium, large or customized size.

The amount of a product a client intends to package in their flat pouch packaging determines the size of the packaging.

If a client intends to package a small amount of product, they will purchase a small size flat pouch packaging and vice versa.

What are the Available Sealing options for Flat Pouch Packaging?

You can seal the surfaces and sides of a flat pouch packaging using different sealing options.

Some of the available sealing options are:

· Heat Sealing

Heat sealing is needed to seal a flat pouch packaging.

It involves the use of a heat sealer which produces heat needed to seal the package.

The heat sealer is pressed onto the surface of the material film using adequate pressure.

· Vacuum Sealing

Although vacuum sealing is not often used as a sealing option for flat pouch packaging, it can be used.

Vacuum sealing entails introducing nitrogen gas into the pouch to remove any oxygen.

Vacuum sealing is done using Chamber style Vacuum Seal Machine

Are Flat Pouch Packaging Suitable for Pet Foods?

Yes, they are.

Flat pouch packaging has excellent barrier properties to protect pet food from pests.

They package fish food, bird food, as well as dog and cat treat and food respectively.

Besides, they meet the FDA requirements for packaging suitable for edibles.

What are the Materials used to make Flat Pouch Packaging?

Matte flat pouch packaging

The materials used to make flat pouch packaging must meet food contact regulation requirements in Europe and America.

They also comply with EN13432 and ASTM D6400.

The materials provide excellent oxygen and moisture barrier, freezer safe, heat/vacuum sealable, superior strength, and others.

They depend on the products to be packaged as well as a client’s preference.

Some of the materials used to manufacture flat pouch packaging are:

· Kraft Paper

This a 100% compostable material.

It can be recycled hence environmentally friendly

It meets FDA requirements for direct food contact

Kraft paper provides good barrier offering protection to the products against the effects of oxygen, UV light, moisture, and chemicals among others.

Since Kraft paper is tasteless, when used to package products, it does not impair the taste of edible products.

· Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)

This material is highly recyclable material.

It is responsible for the flat pouch packaging lightweight property.

It is rigid with high tensile strength giving the pouch its stability.

· Aluminum Foil

This material provides total barrier to oxygen, moisture, pests, and puncture.

It protects products from very extreme temperatures hence it can be used to package products that are microwavable.

It helps extend the shelf-life of products, that is, in regards to the taste and smell of products

· Vacuum Metallized Polyester Film (VMPET)

VMPET has high barrier property at lower costs than Aluminum foil.

It has bright metallic effect

It also has excellent aroma, light and moisture barrier

· Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

PET has moderate oxygen and high moisture barrier

PET is used to make the surface and laminated layer of flat pouch packaging.

· Nylon

Nylon material is suitable for flat pouch packaging because it has high temperature end-use.

It has good vacuum retention and sealability.

Nylon is suitable for the barrier and printing layer of flat pouch packaging.

Are Flat Pouch Packaging Leakage Proof?

Of course, yes.

Flat pouch packaging is sealed at different sides using heat and pressure.

The reinforcement helps prevent the packaging from bursting or leaking.

To ensure that the packaging is leakage proof, a leakage test is done during the manufacture process.

The focus of the leakage test is on whether the chosen material can prevent leakage.

Similarly, you can use a water bath test to establish the leakage potential of a flat pouch packaging.

This test entails placing the pouch packaging under water and applying pressure to it until it leaks.

What are the Available Color Options of Flat Pouch Packaging?

Flat pouch packaging comes in different colors so clients can choose from the variety for what is suitable for their products.

Some of the available color options for flat pouch packaging are:

• Matt White
• Matt Black
• Matt Gold
• Black Gloss

Are Flat Pouch Packaging Reusable?

Yes, flat pouch packaging is reusable.

After the first use, the pouch packaging is cleaned using hot water and left to dry.

Once dry, the pouch packaging is used to package other products and closed using a zipper.

A dry flat pouch packaging guarantees that the products will be protected from the effects of moisture or water.

However, if the flat pouch packaging is torn using tear notch it cannot be used to package other products.

What are the differences between a Stand-up Pouch and Flat Pouch Packaging?

Flat bottom pouch packaging

Even though Stand-up pouch and Flat pouch packaging are all flexible packaging solutions, there are differences which sets them apart.

Some of the differences between the two packaging are:

· Benefits

Flat pouch packaging provides an excellent solution for cost-effective and efficient packaging.

As compared to Stand-up pouches, Flat pouch packaging has relative simplicity of design and manufacture.

The design and manufacture of Stand-up pouches although not complex in nature, is involving than that of flat pouch packaging.

Flat pouch packaging is available in different sizes and materials and can be customized to suit any type of application or product.

This package is often sealed providing a protected environment for the product being packaged, and to show tamper evidence.

· Positioning in Retail Environment

It is suitable for Fast moving commodity goods due to its simplicity.

While Stand-up pouches are simple and easy to make, Flat pouch packaging are the simplest packaging solution.

Due to this ability, it is suitable for quick turn around products and can be hanged on display using a hang hole add-on feature.

Stand-up pouch can be used for retail products but it is not as effective for quick turn around products as the latter.

The differences between the two packaging solutions are limited, and this is because they are flexible types of packaging.

They also have add-on features which improve their functionality and user friendliness.

Are Flat Pouch Packaging FDA Approved?

Flat pouch packaging is FDA approved.

The FDA approved grade material make the packaging solutions trust-worthily safe.

They also allow graphics to appear exceptionally vibrant

With the FDA approval mark, consumers are assured of the safety and quality of their products in the flat pouch packaging.

What are the Sizes of Flat Pouch Packaging?

Flat pouch packaging come in a wide range of sizes for packaging large and small portions for storing purposes.

Flat pouch packaging can be small, medium, large or customized sizes.

A flat pouch packaging can be 6-5/8 wide x 10-5/8 tall

Are Flat pouch Packaging Eco-friendly?

Yes, they are.

The ink used to print on Flat pouch packaging is eco-friendly and safe

Since flat pouch packaging is reusable, there is limited wastage released into the environment.

Flat pouch packaging is made into small sizes hence they require fewer tracks to transport and store.

The use fewer trucks result in the burning of less fossil fuel and limited greenhouse gas emissions into the environment.

The use compostable and recyclable material to manufacture flat pouch packaging reduces overall carbon footprint.

What is the Minimum Order of Flat Pouch Packaging?

The MOQ of flat pouch packaging is 10,000 pieces.

How do Flat Pouch Packaging Manufacturers Control Quality?

Flat pouch packaging manufacturers conduct quality inspection and control of their packaging solution to ensure that they are safe and high quality.

Each flat pouch packaging has to meet the international safety standards for packaging.

Manufacturers conduct inspection of the design, material, and overall quality of the flat pouch packaging.

Some of the tests done by the manufacturers to control quality are:

• Water bath test
• Drop test
• Burst test
• Compression test
• Puncture resistance test
• Product compatibility test
• Tensile strength test
• Seal strength test
• Barrier test

As you can see, there are many aspects you need to consider before importing flat pouch packaging from China.

However, with this information, you can easily choose a suitable flat pouch for all your packaging requirements.

For more information on packaging pouches and bags, talk to our sales team now.