Pouch Packaging Sizes

Choosing the right pouch sizes for your products is critical. The correct size will protect your goods and impact how your brand is perceived, its shelf presence, customer convenience, and manufacturing costs.

Pouch packaging is a type of flexible packaging made from a thin, pliable material that's sealed on all sides to form a container. Many businesses choose standard pouch sizes, while others benefit from custom sizing and design.

A Guide to Standard Pouch Sizes

Many packaging companies offer a range of standard pouch sizes to fit your needs. The table below is a useful starting point to understand what sizes of pouch packaging you’ll find on the market.

Standard Stand-Up Pouch Sizes

Standard Lay-Flat Pouch Sizes

Stand-up pouches and flat pouches are two of the most common types of pouches. However, there are many more pouch packaging types to suit a range of applications.

Key Factors in Choosing the Right Pouch Size

Several factors will influence which size pouch is right for your product. Consider the following when choosing a pouch.

1. Product Specifications

Your product's unique characteristics will be key in deciding what size your pouch packaging should be. The most important considerations are:

• Your product's volume and weight: Your product's volume will determine the pouch size you need. For example, 500 g of protein powder or spices takes up less space than 500 g of roasted coffee beans.
• Product integrity: Your packaging must comfortably hold your product without crushing it. This is especially important for fragile foodstuffs like crackers. Your pouch must be big enough to protect your product without giving the impression you're underfilling your packaging.

2. Marketing & Branding

Your packaging is one of the most powerful tools you have to attract new customers. The choice of pouch size and design will be essential in ensuring your product stands out. The size of your pouch will determine factors like:

• Shelf presence: Pouch dimensions impact visibility and display in a retail environment. Bigger isn't always better. However, you don't want your pouch to go unnoticed on the shelf.
• Labeling and design space: Your packaging is a canvas for your brand. Ensure you have enough room for your branding, labeling, and other text or visuals you want to include.

Pro Tip: Consider how each aspect of your packaging reflects your brand values and improves customer appeal. Research shows that sustainability must be a top consideration. For example, a study into the impact of excessive packaging on consumer perception of the retailer found that consumers have a worse perception of companies that use excessive packaging than those that use minimal packaging (page 16 of the PDF). Find a way to balance the aesthetics you want with sustainable packaging practices.

3. Consumer Convenience

Think about your target audience and how you envision them using your product. Your pouch size will impact:

• Portability & storage: Visualize how consumers will carry and store the product. Prioritize space efficiency for "on-the-go" SKUs like candies or trail mix.
• Ease of use: Packaging for products like chips should be wide enough to fit your hand into. Features like easy-open tear notches and resealable zippers contribute to excellent usability.

4. Legal Considerations

Ensure your packaging company has up-to-date knowledge of the relevant laws and regulations, including child-resistant packaging requirements for restricted products. This is crucial, as non-compliance can lead to bottlenecks and legal problems. Choosing child-resistant pouches is a great way to protect children from hazardous products while meeting legal obligations.

Custom vs. Standard Sizing

Standard sizes are a great fit for many businesses. They tend to fit well on store shelves, pack efficiently for shipping, and align with typical product volumes. Standard-size pouches are also the most cost-effective to produce in bulk.

However, some businesses choose bespoke dimensions. This is often to better align their packaging with their branding strategies. Other times, it's to fit specific product volumes. Choosing custom-sized pouches is a value-added detail that's instrumental to standing out on the shelves. This is particularly important in sectors like organic, natural products, or luxury cosmetics in which customers expect a premium product experience to justify the higher price point.

Why Getting the Right Pouch Size Is Key

Choosing the right size pouch is important for the following reasons:

Planet-Friendly

Many modern pouch packaging materials are lightweight, reusable, recycled, recyclable, or compostable. These materials are good for your brand image and for maintaining sustainable practices. However, these benefits are cancelled out by using excessive packaging. The right size pouch will ensure you’re using only the necessary materials and will use less fuel for transportation.

Creative Freedom With Branding

Your pouches are the canvas your creative team has to work with. The size will influence the impact of your brand name, logo, and graphics. Larger packages will also increase the scope you have for custom printing, like full-surface printing, added textures, premium embellishments like metallic finishes, and raised effects. Unique shapes offer a fresh take on the standard pouch and make your packaging stand out from the crows.

Personalized Service

Working with a custom packaging company is the best way to get expert advice on the best size pouch for your product, alongside other practical and design considerations. This can even be a cost-effective strategy for some companies. At Vert, for example, we don’t lock you into large MOQs, in order to keep your cash flowing. Our process also integrates seamlessly into the supply chain to keep your packaging needs covered without burning through excessive capital.

Make Your Product Shine With the Right Size Pouch 

Choosing the right pouch size is essential for protecting your product, projecting your brand image, and meeting customer expectations. Standard-size pouches are ideal for some businesses. Others will benefit from exploring custom sizes and designs.

Your pouch size should reflect your product’s needs, offer convenience for your customers, and align with your marketing goals. After all, the right-sized pouch doesn’t just hold your product; it ensures optimal shelf presence, reinforces your brand identity, and helps your product stand out to achieve widespread appeal.