The Complete Guide to Buying Stand-Up Pouches for Your Business

Explore everything you need to know about buying stand-up pouches: materials, sizes, printing, and sourcing tips.

1. What Are Stand-Up Pouches?

Stand-up pouches are flexible packaging bags designed with a bottom gusset that allows them to “stand up” on shelves. Made from high-barrier films, they preserve freshness, offer visibility, and are used across nearly every product category—from coffee to cleaning supplies.

2. Why Businesses Choose Stand-Up Pouches

Whether you're a small brand or a global player, stand-up pouches offer unbeatable benefits:

Lightweight and compact (reduce shipping costs)
Eye-catching shelf presence
Custom printing options (matte, gloss, metallic)
Recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable options
Excellent product protection and resealability

Cross-section diagram showing 3-layer pouch structure with barrier materials labeled.

3. Materials & Barrier Options

Barrier performance is everything in packaging. We offer:

PET / PE / MetPET / Nylon Laminates
Clear & Opaque Films
Aluminum Foil Layers for extended shelf life
Compostable & Eco-Friendly Films for sustainability-driven brands

Popular Applications:

Dried snacks
Coffee and tea
Pet food
Liquids and powders
Supplements

Ready to get started with your own custom pouches?

Try our easy price calculator or grab a free artwork template below.

Use Price Calculator Download Template

4. Sizes, Shapes & Closures

From 1 oz sample sizes to 10 lb bulk pouches—we’ve got you covered. Available options include:

Standard bottom-gusset stand-up pouches
Side-gusseted bags
Flat-bottom bags
Spouted pouches for liquids
Child-resistant pouches

Closures available:

Press-to-close zippers
Tear notches
Spouts
Velcro® and hook-to-hook zips

Split-screen graphic comparing domestic vs overseas pouch sourcing

Close-up of digitally printed stand-up pouches with vibrant branding.

5. Custom Printing & Branding

Make your packaging the sales rep that works 24/7.

Digital Printing (short runs, fast turnaround)
Rotogravure (premium quality for large volumes)
Matte, Gloss, or Soft-Touch Finishes
Metallic & Window Features

Artwork Templates Available On Request

Request a Free Pouch Template

6. Sourcing: Domestic vs Overseas

Aspect	Domestic	Overseas (Asia, vetted by us)
Lead Time	Faster	Longer
Cost	Higher	More competitive
Quality	Consistent	Excellent (with proper QC)
Customization	Easier revisions	More flexibility on price

We handle sourcing, communication, and logistics—so you don’t have to.

Need help deciding between domestic or overseas production?

Our team can walk you through lead times, costs, and quality control—no pressure.

Contact Our Sourcing Experts

Collage of product photos in stand-up pouches: snack bags, pet food bags, cleaning solution pouches—arranged on a wooden table.

7. Who Should Use Stand-Up Pouches?

If you sell anything that goes into a bag, chances are this format will outperform your current packaging:

CPG brands launching new SKUs
Food startups needing short-run custom options
Cleaning products and home goods companies
Private label brands looking to stand out
Co-packers who need versatility and fast turnaround

8. A Special Note to Packaging Distributors

If you’ve primarily sold boxes, tape, or bubble wrap—now is the time to evolve. Stand-up pouches are the fastest-growing segment in retail packaging. Yet many distributors avoid them due to complexity, minimums, or supplier concerns. That’s where we come in.