Packaging is more than just a container—it’s a direct extension of your brand.
Over the past decade, standup pouches have gained widespread adoption across nearly every industry—from food and beverage to supplements, pet products, cannabis, and beyond. Why? Because they strike the perfect balance between form, function, and efficiency. They protect your product, extend shelf life, reduce shipping and storage costs, and most importantly, they grab customer attention at the point of sale.
Whether you’re launching a new product or upgrading your existing packaging, understanding the potential of custom standup pouches is key to staying competitive and sustainable. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make an informed, confident decision.
2. What Are Custom Standup Pouches?
Custom standup pouches are flexible packaging solutions designed to hold their shape and stand upright on shelves thanks to a gusseted bottom. This self-standing feature not only improves visibility and presentation but also enhances storage efficiency both for retailers and consumers.
Definition and Key Characteristics
Standup pouches are made from multiple layers of barrier film laminated together to provide structure, durability, and protection. The bottom gusset expands when filled, allowing the pouch to stand tall, while the top can be sealed or outfitted with closures such as zippers, spouts, or tear notches for ease of use.
Key traits include:
- Self-standing structure
- Flexible, lightweight construction
- Heat sealable for tamper evidence
- Compatible with resealable closures
- Large printable surface for branding
Overview of Pouch Structure and Materials
Typically composed of 2 to 4 layers, each material in a standup pouch serves a specific purpose:
- Outer Layer: Provides visual appeal and scuff resistance (often made of PET, kraft paper, or matte/gloss finishes).
- Middle Layer(s): Offer barrier protection (e.g., MET-PET, foil, EVOH, nylon) to block moisture, oxygen, and light.
- Inner Layer: Food-safe and heat sealable, usually polyethylene (PE) or CPP.
These layers can be customized for specific product needs—from moisture-sensitive powders to oily snacks or liquids.
Benefits Over Traditional Packaging Formats
Compared to rigid containers like jars, tins, or boxes, custom standup pouches offer a wide range of advantages:
- Lightweight & Compact: Reduces shipping costs and storage space.
- Eco-Friendly: Uses significantly less material than rigid alternatives.
- Customizable: Easily tailored in shape, size, closure type, and print finish.
- Shelf Impact: Upright design and 360° print area grab attention at the point of sale.
- Resealability: Extends product freshness and enhances user convenience.
In short, custom standup pouches deliver premium performance, a high-end look, and flexible functionality—all at a competitive cost.
Advantages of Using Custom Standup Pouches
As brands look to differentiate their products while improving efficiency, custom standup pouches offer a smart, forward-thinking solution. Their popularity stems from the way they combine marketing appeal with practical benefits throughout the supply chain.
Space-Saving and Shipping Efficiency
Unlike rigid containers, standup pouches are lightweight and compressible when empty, significantly reducing shipping volume and cost. They also take up less space on pallets and retail shelves, enabling you to move and store more units with less overhead. This leads to:
- Lower transportation costs
- Improved warehouse storage efficiency
- Reduced environmental impact due to lower fuel and material use
Increased Shelf Visibility and Brand Appeal
The self-standing design elevates your product at the point of sale, keeping it upright and front-facing. Combined with full-surface, high-resolution printing, custom standup pouches offer unmatched shelf presence. Bold visuals, vibrant colors, and specialty finishes like matte, gloss, or holographic effects help brands:
- Catch consumers’ attention instantly
- Build visual brand recognition
- Communicate quality and innovation
Versatility Across Products and Industries
Custom standup pouches are highly adaptable. Whether you’re packaging organic snacks, pet treats, liquid soaps, cannabis edibles, or protein powders, these pouches can be tailored to meet specific needs. They’re used across a wide range of industries, including:
- Food & beverage
- Health & wellness
- Beauty & personal care
- Pharmaceuticals & cannabis
- Pet care
- Lawn & garden, and industrial products
They’re available in formats for solids, powders, or liquids—with options for spouts, degassing valves, child-resistant zippers, and more.
Customization and Barrier Protection
From the choice of material to closure systems and finish, every aspect of a standup pouch can be customized. Red Dot’s pouches can be engineered with multi-layer barrier films that protect against oxygen, moisture, UV light, and odor—helping extend shelf life and maintain product quality.
Customization options include:
- Sizes and shapes to fit your product
- Resealable zippers, hang holes, and tear notches for functionality
- High-barrier materials like foil, MET-PET, EVOH, and earth-friendly films
- Finishes such as soft touch matte, metallic, or dual finish for added impact
These features allow you to deliver both form and function, ensuring your packaging not only looks good but performs exceptionally in real-world conditions.
Customization Options
One of the biggest advantages of custom standup pouches is their flexibility—both literally and in terms of design. Whether you’re focused on shelf appeal, product protection, user convenience, or sustainability, Red Dot Packaging offers a wide range of customization options to meet your specific goals.
a. Sizes and Shapes
Custom standup pouches can be tailored to suit virtually any product volume—from compact single-serve packets to family-sized or bulk formats. The right size not only ensures a better fit for your product but also reduces material waste and enhances the customer experience.
Additionally, you can explore custom die-cut shapes that break away from the standard rectangle. Unique contours and silhouettes help your brand stand out and create a memorable unboxing moment.
Popular size ranges include:
- Sample packs (1–3 oz)
- Standard shelf units (4–16 oz)
- Bulk formats (1–5 lbs or more)
- Portion-controlled or travel-ready formats
b. Materials & Laminations
Red Dot offers a wide selection of high-performance films and laminates, each selected for your product’s barrier needs, sustainability goals, and packaging machinery compatibility.
Material options include:
- PET (polyester): Durable, printable, and resistant to moisture and chemicals
- MET-PET: Metallized PET for superior light and oxygen barrier
- Foil: Excellent for light and moisture-sensitive items
- EVOH: Clear high-barrier layer for food and liquid applications
- Nylon: Adds puncture resistance for heavier or sharp-edged contents
- Compostable films (PLA, kraft-paper-based): For brands emphasizing earth-friendly packaging
- Post-consumer recycled (PCR): Environmentally conscious alternative without sacrificing performance
Multilayer laminations are engineered to preserve aroma, texture, and shelf life—especially critical for food, supplements, and organic goods.
c. Closures & Features
Closures and functional enhancements are where usability meets innovation. Red Dot can integrate a wide array of resealable and user-friendly features that add convenience, freshness, and regulatory compliance.
Popular options include:
- Standard zippers: Reliable, easy-to-use resealability
- Child-resistant zippers: Compliant with industry standards for cannabis and pharmaceuticals
- Powder-proof and dual-track zippers: Ideal for fine or granulated products
- Slider and press-to-close options: For premium usability
- Tear notches and laser scoring: Easy, controlled opening
- Hang holes (round or sombrero): For retail peg display
- Spouts and fitments: For liquids, gels, and squeezable items
- Degassing valves: One-way vents used in coffee packaging
- Micro-perforations and tin-ties: Specialty features for airflow or resealing
These features not only elevate customer experience but also enhance safety, shelf life, and accessibility.
d. Finishes
Finishes transform your pouch into a visual statement that supports your brand’s identity and market positioning. Red Dot provides advanced print and surface effects that create tactile and aesthetic appeal.
Finish options include:
- Gloss: Bright, vibrant, and eye-catching
- Matte: Smooth and subtle, ideal for a natural or premium look
- Soft touch matte: Luxurious, velvet-like feel that adds perceived value
- Dual finish (spot matte & gloss): Contrasting textures for a sophisticated, high-end effect
- Holographic and metallic: Bold, futuristic, and attention-grabbing, great for limited editions or youth markets
Finishes also help communicate product attributes at a glance—organic, indulgent, eco-friendly, bold, etc.—making your packaging as strategic as it is stylish.
Printing Options
Custom standup pouches aren’t just about structure—they’re a powerful canvas for your brand story. At Red Dot Packaging, we offer three premium printing technologies to match your volume, budget, timeline, and design goals. Each method delivers professional-grade results, with varying strengths depending on your needs.
Digital Printing
Best for: Short to medium print runs, brands with multiple SKUs, and fast market launches.
Digital printing uses advanced inkjet or electrophotographic systems to produce high-resolution images directly from a digital file—no printing plates or setup fees required. It’s perfect for:
- Startups or emerging brands
- Promotions or seasonal runs
- Products with frequent design changes
- Multiple SKUs needing individual designs
Benefits:
- Fastest turnaround times
- Photo-quality, full-color printing
- Ideal for small to moderate volumes
- Cost-effective for low MOQs
- Consistent color across runs
- Great for prototyping and split tests
This technology allows you to test the market quickly without overcommitting on inventory.
Flexographic Printing
Best for: Medium to high volumes, stable artwork, and brands needing Pantone precision.
Flexo printing uses custom photopolymer plates to transfer ink onto packaging films with speed and efficiency. It’s a versatile and cost-effective choice for brands scaling up production without sacrificing quality.
Benefits:
- Economical for larger runs
- Compatible with a wide range of substrates
- Fast production speeds
- Supports PMS (Pantone) color matching for brand consistency
- Variety of ink options: water-based, UV-cured, metallic, fluorescent
Flexographic printing hits the sweet spot between quality and scalability, making it ideal for growing CPG brands.
Rotogravure (Roto) Printing
Best for: Large-scale production runs requiring unmatched detail, consistency, and sophistication.
Rotogravure printing uses engraved copper cylinders to deliver ultra-precise, high-density prints. Known as the gold standard for premium packaging, it’s the go-to for brands that demand the best in both performance and visual impact.
Benefits:
- Ultra-sharp image clarity and color depth
- Consistent quality across millions of units
- Supports high-end effects like metallics, holographics, and dual finishes
- Ideal for global brands or high-velocity SKUs
- Long-term cost savings on high-volume runs
If you’re building a flagship product line or need a polished, luxury feel, rotogravure is the top-tier choice.
Choosing the Right Pouch for Your Product
With so many options available, selecting the ideal custom standup pouch may feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. The right packaging isn’t just about looks; it plays a crucial role in protecting your product, preserving its shelf life, and enhancing the customer experience. At Red Dot Packaging, we help you zero in on the best pouch design by evaluating key factors that align with your product’s specific needs.
Factors to Consider
To ensure your packaging performs well across the entire supply chain, consider the following:
- Product Type & Physical Properties: Liquids, powders, solids, granules, or oily products each have different packaging requirements. Liquids may benefit from spouted pouches, while fine powders need powder-proof zippers and anti-static materials.
- Barrier Requirements: What does your product need protection from? Moisture, oxygen, UV light, and odors are common threats to shelf life and quality. Barrier layers like MET-PET, foil, and EVOH can be customized to deliver the exact protection level required.
- Shelf Life Goals: Does your product need to stay fresh for weeks, months, or years? Longer shelf life demands higher barrier properties and possibly resealable closures to maintain integrity after opening.
- User Experience: Who is using your product, and how? For food and snack items, easy-open tear notches and resealable zippers add convenience. For cannabis or pharmaceuticals, child-resistant zippers may be required. Spouts and sliders help with dosing or pouring.
- Retail Display and Storage: Consider whether your product will hang, stand, or stack. Hang holes, clear windows, and dual finishes can improve retail visibility and interaction.
- Sustainability and Compliance Goals: Eco-conscious consumers are looking for recyclable, compostable, or PCR-based options. We can recommend the right materials to align with your sustainability values and industry regulations.
Working with Red Dot’s Experts for Tailored Solutions
At Red Dot Packaging, we don’t just sell pouches—we engineer solutions that help your product succeed.
Our team of experts brings over 40 years of combined experience in flexible packaging design, materials science, and print technology. When you partner with us, you’ll get:
- Hands-on guidance through every step, from concept to finished pouch
- Rapid prototyping and mockups to visualize your design
- Smart material pairings that balance performance, cost, and sustainability
- Compliance support for regulated industries (e.g., cannabis, food, pharma)
- Fast quotes and responsive communication to keep your project moving
We’ll ask the right questions, identify potential risks, and recommend options that align with your goals—whether you’re launching a new product or optimizing an existing line.
How Red Dot Packaging Can Help
At Red Dot Packaging, we understand that great packaging is more than just a wrapper—it’s a vital tool that protects your product, elevates your brand, and drives customer engagement. With decades of hands-on experience and a passion for precision, we’re here to make your packaging process smooth, stress-free, and highly effective.
40+ Years of Combined Technical Experience
Our team brings together over 40 years of combined expertise in flexible packaging, materials engineering, printing technology, and packaging machinery compatibility. That deep knowledge translates into thoughtful recommendations, smarter material choices, and pouches that perform beautifully in the real world.
From food and supplements to cannabis and personal care, we’ve worked across industries to solve packaging challenges of all types.
In-House Design, Rapid Prototyping, and Full-Service Support
We offer in-house packaging design to ensure your vision comes to life with clarity and consistency. Our rapid prototyping services allow you to see and feel your pouch before going to full production—reducing risk and speeding up time to market.
Our full-service support means we handle everything from initial concept to production, including:
- Material and finish recommendations
- Print file preparation and artwork guidance
- Regulatory and labeling support
- Trial runs and multi-SKU strategies
- Custom pouch feature integration
We become an extension of your team—providing strategic insight, creative collaboration, and real-world solutions.
Fast Quotes, Premium Quality, and Responsive Service
Speed matters in today’s market, and so does quality. Red Dot delivers both.
We pride ourselves on providing fast, accurate quotes with no runaround, along with clear timelines and updates you can trust. Once your order moves into production, we maintain the highest standards for consistency, durability, and print excellence.
And if you have a question or a change mid-project? You’ll hear from us—fast. Our team is known for its responsiveness, transparency, and customer-first attitude.
Whether you’re scaling up, rebranding, or launching a new line, Red Dot Packaging is your trusted partner for standout, high-performance flexible packaging.
Contact us today to explore your options and see how our expert team can transform your packaging into a powerful brand asset.