Many businesses are turning to stand-up pouches and bags because they are convenient and look good on the shelves. Stand-up pouches can hold a wide variety of products and they come in many shapes and sizes. If you are thinking about using stand-up bags for your products, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the related terminology. This can help you to determine whether you want a zipper pouch or a spout pouch, for example, or to see whether you can use stock sizes or require customization.

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Square or round bottom gusseted bags

Like the name implies, square or round bottom gusseted bags have either a square or round bottom to them. The gussets are used to create a sort of 'wall' around the product, which helps it to stand up.

I recommend: Take a look at square bottom and round bottom gusseted bags at Pouch Mart.

Zipper pouches

Zipper pouches have grooves at the opening of the bag. These grooves fit together to make a closed bag. This is ideal for products that can go bad from exposure to air.

I recommend: Visit Atlapac to see an example of a zipper pouch.

Stock sizes

Bag companies offer a set of stock sizes, which you can then personalize with your company's logo. You simply choose which size best suits your needs. If none of the stock sizes is quite right, you'll have to order custom bags, which can be more costly.

I recommend: Scroll down to the bottom of the page at IDS Packaging to see common stock sizes for stand-up bags and pouches.

Spout pouches

Spout pouches have a plastic spout in them to allow liquid to pour out. Companies that sell liquid products may want to consider packaging them in spout pouches rather than plastic bottles because the pouches are more environmentally-friendly.

I recommend: Global Suppliers shows many pictures of spout pouches from various manufacturers.

Microwavable pouches

Use microwavable pouches to package ready-to-eat food products, such as stews, curries and sauces. Consumers simply microwave the pouch and can then pour the contents onto rice or pasta.

I recommend: Parikh Packaging offers microwavable pouches and shows examples of brand name goods that use them.

Self-heating pouch

Self-heating pouches are a relatively new concept. Food is sold in pouches along with a heating pack, which can heat the food when the consumer is ready to eat it.

I recommend: Heater Meals sells meals in self-heating pouches and answers several questions about the packaging.

Both your marketing strategy and bottom line can improve significantly using different types of stand-up bags and pouches to package your product. You want people to remember your name and what your product looks like, but a customer will likely repackage your food product into another container or resealable plastic bag if they originally bought it packaged in a bag within a box. Stand-up pouches provide a more cost-effective packaging solution that will stand out on store shelves, and customers will appreciate the ease with which they can store products at home. Additionally, high-quality plastic pouches will prevent odors from escaping, provide moisture protection and can include release valves, pour spouts and resealable zippers.

Stand-up pouches work for just about any type of product you manufacture or sell, whether it's food, gifts, fertilizer or dog food. As you shop, you'll notice that manufacturers basically produce 3 types of stand-up bags:

1. Round-bottom gusset stand-up pouches employ a base where the welded edge of the packaging material holds the package upright.

2. K-seal bottom stand-up bags will work when the contents exceed a certain weight.

3. Plow-bottom gusset stand-up pouches and bags have gained in popularity among food manufacturers and those who produce granular items.

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Buy stand-up pouches for packaging gifts

If you want to package or bundle items in your retail store for gifts or as gift displays, you'll find attractive packaging solutions online.

I recommend: Visit Pouch Mart to view their selection of colorful stand-up bagging solutions for your gifts. You might also take a look at the clear stand-up bag that Atlapac manufactures for uses like holiday gifts, potpourri, gourmet foods or party favors.

Purchase stand-up pouches for consumer use

Consumers love to buy anything in a stand-up packaging pouch, because they're generally user friendly, easily stored and very functional.

I recommend: Visit Sorbent Systems to learn more about the many sizes and choices they provide for stand-up pouches to package your product. You should also contact Adart Poly Bag for a free quote on stand-up pouches that fold flat until you're ready to fill them.

Use stand-up bags for industrial applications

A stand-up pouch can hold more than your dried fruit, nuts, drinks and sugar; they also provide convenient and cost-effective solutions (both for yourself and the consumer) for storing larger quantities of items like dog food or outdoor items like fertilizer, weed killer and insect killer.

I recommend: Fill out the request form at IDS Packaging to receive more information on the stand-up bags they manufacture for industrial applications. You can also contact Performance Packaging of Nevada for information on their stand-up bags that can handle industrial applications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In addition to the quality and types of stand-up pouches you must compare when you shop, also ask to see samples of the custom printing and artwork the company will add to the bag. If your name goes on the package, you want it to look professional and catch the eye of customers in the store.
• •  As one of the criteria you'll use to buy stand-up bags, consider the minimum number of bags you're willing to buy -- especially pre-printed bags. Some companies will require you to commit to several thousand pre-printed bags.

Stand-up bags and pouches are a smart choice for many business owners. They represent a style of bag that consumers find attractive. However, business owners are understandably concerned about stand-up bags and pouches pricing and costs. Will the cost of these bags be prohibitively expensive?

Before purchasing bags, a business owner should research all of the available bagging solutions. This will help to determine whether stand-up bags are really the right choice.

Some of the ways that you can use stand-up pouches and bags for your business are:

1. To sell your products. Many types of stand-up bags look great sitting on store shelves. It's a good way to package your product.

2. To give gifts for clients. If you want to make a good impression, use high-quality plastic pouches for client gifts. A good idea is to fill it with small edible items.

3. To offer self-serve products. If you offer a self-serve section in your store, you should consider the types of stand-up pouches and bags that are available. Because the bag stands up by itself, it's easier for customers to place the items inside.

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Consider decorative stand-up bags for your business

You may save money with plain bags, but a decorative stand up bag makes a bigger statement. Research the cost of decorative bags to see if they fit into your budget.

I recommend: North Atlantic Specialty Bag offers both plain bags and ones with a gold stripe. Plain bags start at $94 per 1000 bags, while striped bags cost $184 per 1000. Prices decrease when you purchase more bags. Altapac offers gold and iridescent stand up bags. You must speak with a sales rep for pricing information.

Personalize stand-up pouches and bags for an added touch

When you purchase stand-up bags to use for your business, inquire about personalization. A retailer may be able to print your logo right on the bag.

I recommend: Pacific Bag offers custom printed bags. They state that your company is ready for custom printed bags if you use more than 15,000 bags per year and have a budget of at least $10,000 for bags. PromoPeddler offers custom bags for less than $4 each with a $50 setup fee.

Save money by purchasing stand-up bags and pouches wholesale

If your company uses many stand-up bags throughout the year, it's a good idea to purchase them in bulk. Stores often offer discounts to customers that are purchasing many items at one time. This also allows you to save on shipping costs.

I recommend: Packaging Center sells wholesale stand-up pouches that can hold liquids or dry goods. Prices start at $80 per 1000 bags for a small bag and go up to $170 per 1000 for a larger bag. Nu-Era offers a wide range of stand up bags for shopping, with plain paper bags starting at $35.50 per 250 bags and glossy and metallic bags starting at $110.50 per 250 bags.

Stand-up pouches are great for a wide variety of industries including pet food, cereal makers, snack food companies, candy makers, dried fruit companies, lawn and garden businesses and more. They are also now used for products such as coffee, fruit juice as well as soup mixes just to name a few other items.

Stand-up bags and pouches use materials such as foil laminations, barrier films and metalized films to help stand them up. They are made to look appealing, but also to be functional as well. Many now offer re-sealable zip-top enclosures, and some even come with release valves or pour spouts. You can purchase them as stock items, or your can take advantage of them and use them as a marketing and branding opportunity. Their broad face gives you ample room to add your logo and marketing material. They also give you a cost savings because they eliminate the older method of the bag-in-a-box packaging, like what you would traditionally see in a cereal box.

To find out more about stand-up bags and pouches types and styles:

1. Discover types of stand-up bags.

2. Save money on stock types of stand-up pouches.

3. Make a statement with printed stand-up pouches.

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Learn about types of stand-up bags

Compare differences in types of stand-up bags by looking at types and applicational uses.

I recommend: Improve your knowledge of differences in stand up pouches by reading the Sorbent Systems review of three fundamental types of stand pouches. Take a look at the in-depth review of applications of the stand-up pouch and the different types and styles from Profit Through Innovation.

Save money on unbranded stock stand-up bags and pouches

Choosing stock, plain stand-up bags will save you printing cost set-up and run fees. Take advantage of what stand-up bags companies already have available and in stock.

I recommend: Take a look at the clear Whirl-Pak Stand-Up Bags from Nasco. They come in a variety of sizes and can be frozen to any temperature. Pacific Bag offers packaging in their foil series, their metalized series as well as their natural kraft series.

Purchase printed stand-up bags

Buy stand-up bags that have your company logo, information and/or product nutritional or other ingredient information posted on your packaging. Take advantage of the broad face of the packaging to make a branding statement by making use of every square inch of the available facing of the packaging.

I recommend: StandUpPouches.net not only offers stock types of stand-up pouches, but they also offer Printed Stand Up Pouches that you can customize to your business's needs. Their minimum order is 10,000 pieces, and they use Flexographic or Rotogravure printing processes. Printpack also offers businesses the option to have their company information printed on their types of stand-up bags.