The Pouch Works

Pouch type

Stand-Up Pouches

A stand-up pouch is a flexible bag with a folded bottom gusset that opens out so the pouch stands unaided on a shelf. It is the format most retail food and supplement brands reach for, because it gives you a flat printable front panel, a stable base, and the option of a resealable zip along the top seal.

  • Zip closure
  • 180 × 260mm
  • Kraft / recyclable
  • Bottom gusset
Stand-Up Pouches — example pack

About stand-up pouches

Sizes typically run from around 100 × 150mm for sample packs up to 250 × 350mm for 1kg retail fills, with the gusset depth scaled to the fill volume. You can specify a hang hole for peg display, a one-way degassing valve for freshly roasted coffee, or a tear notch above the zip so the pouch opens cleanly without scissors. Every finish is printed before conversion, so artwork can run edge to edge across the front, back and gusset.

Stand-Up Pouches at a glance

Minimum order quantity100 units per design
Turnaround2–4 weeks from artwork approval
Quote turnaroundWithin one business day
Print methodDigital print, printed in the United Kingdom
Typical specZip closure · 180 × 260mm · Kraft / recyclable · Bottom gusset
Materials availableKraft Paper Pouches, Matte White Pouches, Metallic Foil Pouches
Artwork formatPrint-ready PDF or AI, CMYK, 3mm bleed

Best for

  • Retail shelf display where the pack has to stand up on its own
  • Resealable formats — coffee, granola, protein powder, dog treats
  • Fill weights from 50g up to around 2kg
  • Brands that want the whole pack surface printed, gusset included

Materials that suit this format

Who packs in this format

Related guides

Stand-Up Pouches — common questions

What is the smallest stand-up pouch you can print?

Around 80 × 130mm with a shallow gusset is the practical floor for a stand-up pouch — below that the base is too small to hold the pack upright when filled. For anything smaller, a flat pouch or sachet is the better format.

Can I add a zip and a valve to the same pouch?

Yes. A zip on the top seal and a one-way degassing valve on the front or back panel are applied at different points in conversion, so they do not conflict. This combination is standard for retail coffee.

How much does a stand-up pouch hold?

Fill volume depends on width, height and gusset depth together, not height alone. As a rough guide, 180 × 260mm with a 60mm gusset holds about 500g of ground coffee or 250g of granola. Tell us the product and target fill weight and we will size it for you.

Do stand-up pouches need a minimum order?

Yes — 100 units per design. That is low for printed pouches, and it is deliberate: it lets a new brand launch a format without committing to pallets of stock. Larger quantities bring the unit price down, and the spec builder returns a quote within one business day.

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