The Essentials of Pouch Packaging: Efficient Solutions for Modern Businesses
It’s no surprise that more and more pouches are packing the shelves in retail environments of all kinds - pouch packaging is versatile, reliable, and allows for plenty of creativity and customisation. If you’re considering pouches for your products, we can provide the scoop on how pouches are made and filled, and the benefits they can bring to your business.
Introduction to Pouch Packaging
Packaging is an important part of any product; it can make the difference in whether someone picks it up off the shelf or passes it by. Products such as confectionery, pet food, and household products are switching to pouches – and for good reason.
Opting for pouch packing means:
- You have the option of free-standing, flat and stackable, and hanging storage.
- You can choose between a range of biodegradable or recyclable packaging materials.
- Your products are kept safe in an easily transported, lightweight, airtight and flexible container, which will save you money on both production and transportation.
Pouch Packing Machines: Streamlining the Process
There are several different styles of pouches to choose from, and the different features will inform how they are made. Stand-up pouches need gussets, resealable pouches need pinch or zipper sealing, and spouted pouches need spouts built in to aid the use of the product. The level of automation in these processes is high, making for seamless, uniform pouches with minimal room for human error or kinks in the production line.
Aside from the incorporation of special features, the main difference between pouch packing machines will depend on whether you’ll need your pouches to be filled and sealed in the same step of production, or whether you’ll want your empty pre-formed pouches filled using a filling machine. Either way, you’re left with a securely sealed, tamper-evident pouch, with the perfectly weighted amount of product inside.
Pouch Filling Machines: Ensuring Accurate and Consistent Fills
The machines that fill pouch packages are known as auger filling machines, or liquid filling machines, depending on the product. Auger filling machines work best with powdered or granular products, and achieves accurate measurements by weight and pre-planned discharge settings. This is far more controlled than filling pouches by hand, and means there’s less likely to be variations in product amounts – something that saves you money, and reduces the risk of dissatisfied customers.
Pouch Packing: Best Practices and Techniques
Here are some suggestions for how to get the most out of your pouch packaging:
- Invest in high-quality design and branding, which not only makes a good first impression for your business but also provides customers with all of the information they need.
- Make sure your pouch seals are inspected for quality, either through automation or by hand, to ensure that damaged or weak pouches don’t make it to the shelves.
- Consider the best pouch design for your product, e.g. will it need to be poured? Scooped? Microwaved? Refridgerated? All of these things should be taken into account when picking your pouch material and shape.
Trends and Innovations in Pouch Packaging
Sustainability is an increasingly popular argument in favour of pouches. In fact, many established brands now offer recyclable or biodegradable pouches as ‘refill’ versions of their products, designed to be poured into a pre-purchased container. This is great for eco-conscious consumers who may want to limit the amount of single-use plastic they’re buying.
Pack a Punch with Pouches
If you’re considering using pouches for your product, we can give you all the information you need to make your choice easier. Get in touch today for a free quote, or for more information from the experts at WePack.