Packaging Guides
Stand Up Pouches: The Complete Guide to Flexible Packaging (2026)
Cubit Team
April 9, 2026
Stand up pouches have become the fastest-growing packaging format in the world. With 14,800+ monthly searches and adoption across food, supplements, coffee, cannabis, and pet care, they've replaced rigid containers for thousands of brands. This guide covers everything you need to know about choosing, customizing, and ordering stand up pouches.
Quick Answer: Stand up pouches (also called standup pouches or SUPs) are flexible bags with a bottom gusset that allows them to stand upright on shelves. They typically feature resealable zippers, custom printing, and barrier layers that protect contents from moisture, oxygen, and UV light. Custom stand up pouches start at around $0.15-$0.85 per unit depending on size, material, and order quantity.
What Are Stand Up Pouches?
A stand up pouch is a flexible packaging bag with a wide bottom gusset that expands when filled, allowing the package to stand upright on retail shelves or countertops. Unlike flat bags or pillow pouches, stand up pouches provide:
- Shelf presence — They stand upright like a box, maximizing retail visibility
- 360-degree branding — Front, back, and side panels for full print coverage
- Resealability — Most include press-to-close zippers or slider closures
- Barrier protection — Multi-layer films block moisture, oxygen, and light
- Lightweight shipping — 60-75% lighter than rigid containers, cutting freight costs
Stand up pouches are essentially the same product as mylar bags — the terms overlap significantly. "Mylar bags" emphasizes the material, while "stand up pouches" describes the form factor.
Stand Up Pouch Materials
The material you choose determines shelf life, barrier properties, and how your pouch looks and feels. Here are the most common options:
| Material | Best For | Barrier Level | Look and Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| PET/PE Laminate | Snacks, coffee, dried goods | High | Glossy, vibrant print quality |
| Kraft Paper/PE | Organic, natural brands | Medium-High | Natural, earthy, premium feel |
| Matte Film | Supplements, cosmetics, premium foods | High | Soft-touch, modern aesthetic |
| Clear/Window | Trail mix, candy, visible products | Medium | Product visibility from shelf |
| Metalized Film | Coffee, tea, long-shelf-life products | Very High | Reflective, premium appearance |
| Holographic Film | Cannabis, luxury, novelty | High | Eye-catching, rainbow effect |
| Aluminum Foil | Maximum barrier needs | Highest | Complete light/gas block |
Types of Stand Up Pouches
1. Standard Stand Up Pouches
The classic format: bottom gusset, heat-sealed edges, and optional zipper. Ideal for dry goods, snacks, and supplements. Available in sizes from 1oz sample packs to 5lb bulk bags.
2. Kraft Stand Up Pouches
Kraft paper laminated to an inner PE barrier. Gives a natural, artisanal look that organic and farm-to-table brands love. Often paired with a clear window to showcase the product inside.
3. Clear Window Stand Up Pouches
Feature a transparent panel (front, back, or both) so consumers can see the actual product — trail mix, granola, dried fruit, or candy. The window is made from food-safe clear PET while the rest provides full barrier protection.
4. Spouted Stand Up Pouches
Include a built-in spout and cap for liquids and semi-liquids: sauces, baby food, smoothies, and cleaning products. The spout allows controlled pouring and resealing.
5. Flat Bottom (Box) Pouches
Feature a flat rectangular bottom instead of a rounded gusset. They stand more rigidly, look like a mini box, and create maximum shelf presence. Common for premium coffee and specialty foods.
6. Retort Stand Up Pouches
Engineered to withstand high-temperature sterilization (retort processing). Used for ready-to-eat meals, soups, and pet food that need extended shelf life without refrigeration.
7. Child-Resistant Stand Up Pouches
Include ASTM-certified child-resistant zipper mechanisms. Required by law in most states for cannabis packaging and certain pharmaceutical products.
Custom Printing Options
Stand up pouches support multiple printing methods, each suited to different order quantities and design complexity:
| Method | Best For | MOQ | Colors | Cost Per Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Printing | Short runs, prototyping | 250-500 | Full CMYK | $0.50-$1.20 |
| Flexographic | Medium to large runs | 5,000+ | Up to 10 spot | $0.15-$0.45 |
| Rotogravure | High-volume, premium | 25,000+ | Up to 12 | $0.08-$0.25 |
Popular Finishing Options
- Matte lamination — Soft-touch premium feel, reduces glare
- Gloss lamination — Vibrant colors, high-shine appearance
- Spot UV — Selective glossy highlights on specific design elements
- Foil stamping — Metallic gold, silver, or rose gold accents
- Embossing/debossing — Raised or recessed texture for tactile effect
- Matte varnish with gloss elements — Contrast finish for luxury feel
Stand Up Pouches vs Other Packaging Formats
| Feature | Stand Up Pouches | Rigid Boxes | Glass Jars | Flat Bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelf presence | Excellent | Best | Good | Poor |
| Shipping weight | Lightest | Heavy | Heaviest | Light |
| Barrier protection | High | Medium | High | Varies |
| Custom printing | Full wrap | Full wrap | Label only | Full |
| Resealable | Zipper | No | Lid | No |
| Cost per unit | $0.15-$0.85 | $2-$15 | $1-$5 | $0.08-$0.40 |
Industries Using Stand Up Pouches
Food and Beverage
The largest segment: coffee, tea, snacks, dried fruits, nuts, granola, spices, protein powder, and pet food. Stand up pouches extend shelf life while reducing packaging waste by up to 75% compared to rigid alternatives.
Health and Supplements
Protein powders, vitamins, superfood blends, and nutraceuticals. Multi-layer barrier films protect sensitive compounds from degradation. Child-resistant options available for regulated products.
Cannabis
State-compliant mylar stand up pouches with child-resistant zippers, smell-proof barriers, and tamper-evident seals. Custom printing for brand differentiation in a competitive market.
Cosmetics and Personal Care
Bath salts, face masks, hair treatments, and refill pouches for lotions and serums. Matte finishes and foil accents create a luxury feel at a fraction of the cost of rigid packaging.
Pet Care
Treats, supplements, and small-batch pet food. Resealable pouches keep products fresh and allow brands to compete with established players on shelf presence.
How to Order Custom Stand Up Pouches
The 5-Step Process:
- Choose your size — From 1oz sample pouches to 5lb bulk bags
- Select material — Kraft, matte, metallic, clear window, or custom laminate
- Pick features — Zipper type, hang hole, tear notch, valve, spout
- Submit artwork — Or use free design assistance for print-ready files
- Approve proof and produce — Digital proof review, then 10-15 day production
Minimum Order Quantities
- Stock/plain pouches: As low as 100 units
- Digital printing: 250-500 units minimum
- Flexographic printing: 5,000+ units
- Rotogravure printing: 25,000+ units
Lead Times
- Stock pouches: Ships in 3-5 business days
- Custom digitally printed: 10-15 business days
- Custom flexo/gravure: 15-25 business days
Size Guide
| Size | Dimensions (W x H + Gusset) | Capacity | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample | 3.5 x 5.5 + 2 inches | 1-2 oz | Samples, single-serve, trial packs |
| Small | 5 x 8 + 3 inches | 2-4 oz | Snacks, small supplements, candy |
| Medium | 6 x 9.5 + 3.5 inches | 6-8 oz | Coffee (half pound), dried fruit, treats |
| Large | 7 x 11 + 4 inches | 12-16 oz | Coffee (one pound), granola, protein |
| Extra Large | 9 x 13 + 4.5 inches | 2-5 lb | Bulk foods, pet food, large supplements |
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Options
Modern stand up pouches are increasingly sustainable:
- Mono-material PE pouches — Fully recyclable through store drop-off programs
- Kraft paper laminates — Renewable outer layer with minimal plastic
- PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) content — 30-50% recycled material layers
- Compostable films — PLA and cellulose-based pouches that break down in industrial composting
- Reduced material use — 75% less packaging material than rigid alternatives
Learn more: Eco-Friendly Mylar Bag Alternatives for 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between stand up pouches and mylar bags?
They are essentially the same product. "Mylar bag" refers to the metalized polyester material, while "stand up pouch" describes the form factor (a bag with a bottom gusset that stands upright). Most mylar bags are stand up pouches, and most stand up pouches use mylar or similar barrier films.
Are stand up pouches food safe?
Yes. Food-grade stand up pouches are made with FDA-approved materials and comply with food contact regulations. They use food-safe inks, adhesives, and films. Always request FDA compliance documentation from your supplier.
How much do custom stand up pouches cost?
Custom printed stand up pouches typically cost $0.15-$0.85 per unit depending on size, material, and quantity. Digital printing (250-500 MOQ) is more expensive per unit than flexographic (5,000+ MOQ) or rotogravure (25,000+ MOQ) runs.
What is the shelf life of products in stand up pouches?
With proper barrier films, stand up pouches can preserve products for 1-5+ years depending on the material and contents. Aluminum foil layers provide the longest shelf life. See our shelf life guide for details.
Can I get stand up pouches with a window?
Yes. Clear window stand up pouches use food-safe transparent PET for the window area while maintaining barrier protection on the rest of the pouch. Windows can be placed on the front, back, or as a full clear panel.
What is the minimum order for custom stand up pouches?
At Cubit, the minimum order for digitally printed custom stand up pouches is 250-500 units. For flexographic printing, the MOQ is typically 5,000 units. Stock/plain pouches are available from as low as 100 units.