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  • Pouch Type Terms
  • Material & Barrier Terms
  • Printing & Process Terms
  • Trade & Procurement Terms

Pouch Type Terms

Four groups cover the terms you will meet in quotations, artwork files and specifications.

Term Definition
Pouch / Bag A flexible container made from film and sealed on the edges; pouch usually refers to a pre-formed bag, bag to any flexible container.
Stand-up pouch A pouch with a gusseted bottom that stands upright on the shelf, often with a zipper.
Flat bottom pouch A pouch with a square, block-shaped bottom that stands very stably; also called block-bottom pouch.
Side gusset pouch A bag with folded side panels that expands as it is filled; common for large pet food and coffee bags.
Spout pouch A stand-up pouch with a plastic screw-cap spout for liquids, gels and refill packs.
Retort pouch A heat-resistant pouch that survives retort sterilization (high temperature and pressure) for shelf-stable wet food.
Vacuum pouch A high-barrier pouch that holds a vacuum; the film clings tightly to the contents.
Pillow pouch The classic snack bag: a tube sealed flat at both ends with crimped seals.
Eight-side seal pouch A box-shaped pouch with reinforced corner seals, offering a rigid retail look.
Window pouch A pouch with a transparent panel so customers can see the product inside.

Material & Barrier Terms

Four groups cover the terms you will meet in quotations, artwork files and specifications.

Term Definition
PE (Polyethylene) The most common heat-seal layer; soft, flexible and moisture-resistant.
PET (Polyester) A strong, clear outer film that gives stiffness and print surface.
Aluminum foil The strongest barrier layer against oxygen, light and moisture.
VMPET PET film coated with a thin metal layer; a metallic look with good barrier at lower cost than foil.
EVOH A high oxygen-barrier resin, often buried inside laminates to protect it from moisture.
Lamination Bonding two or more film layers together with adhesive to combine their properties.
Coextrusion Extruding several polymer layers at once in one process, without adhesive.
Barrier The ability of a structure to block gases, moisture, light or aroma.
MVTR Moisture vapor transmission rate — how much water vapor passes through a film per day.
OTR Oxygen transmission rate — how much oxygen passes through a film per day; key for freshness.

Printing & Process Terms

Four groups cover the terms you will meet in quotations, artwork files and specifications.

Term Definition
Gravure printing Rotogravure: engraved cylinders carry ink; best for long runs, fine gradients and metallic inks.
Flexo printing Flexography: flexible raised plates print with water or solvent inks; good for medium runs and quick changes.
CMYK Four process colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) printed together to build full-color images.
Spot color A pre-mixed ink matched to a Pantone reference for a brand color.
White ink Printed on transparent or metallic film to create opacity and brighten colors.
Dieline The 2D layout drawing of the pouch structure with dimensions, seals and fold lines.
Seal strength The force a heat seal resists before opening; critical for shipping and handling.
Shelf life How long the product stays acceptable inside the packaging under stated conditions.

Trade & Procurement Terms

Four groups cover the terms you will meet in quotations, artwork files and specifications.

Term Definition
RFQ Request for quotation — the document that starts a sourcing conversation.
MOQ Minimum order quantity; differs by pouch type, structure and printing.
Sample / Sampling A physical pre-production sample to approve color, structure and print.
Lead time Production time: Ecopak samples 3-5 working days, mass production 15-25 working days.
FOB / CIF / DDP Incoterms defining who pays freight and insurance: Free On Board, Cost Insurance Freight, Delivered Duty Paid.
COA Certificate of Analysis — batch-level test results shipped with the goods.
Trade Assurance Alibaba.com buyer protection covering quality and shipping commitments.
Customs clearance The process of declaring goods to customs in the destination country.

Lamination & Surface Films

Choose lamination when your pouch needs surface protection or a specific gloss, matte or soft-touch feel. On flexible packaging the outer film layer is part of the structure, so the choice affects protection, printing contrast and sealing behaviour together.

Three-side seal sachet

Best for: Powders, strips, single portions

Key point: Lowest cost flat format

Lamination & Surface Films

Stand-up pouch

Best for: Snacks, coffee, pet treats

Key point: Shelf presence with resealable zipper option

Lamination & Surface Films

Flat bottom pouch

Best for: Premium coffee, large portions

Key point: Stable block bottom, strong shelf stand

Lamination & Surface Films

Side gusset pouch

Best for: Pet food, heavy fills

Key point: Expands with volume, efficient storage

Lamination & Surface Films

Spout pouch

Best for: Liquids, gels, refill packs

Key point: Clean pouring with screw cap

Lamination & Surface Films

Retort pouch

Best for: Wet food, ready meals

Key point: Withstands high-temperature sterilization

Lamination & Surface Films

Vacuum pouch

Best for: Meat, cheese, dried goods

Key point: Tight vacuum cling protects freshness

Lamination & Surface Films

Pillow pouch

Best for: Chips, snacks, lightweight fills

Key point: Classic crimped-end snack format

Lamination & Surface Films

Eight-side seal pouch

Best for: Retail premium products

Key point: Boxy rigid look with strong corners

Lamination & Surface Films

Window pouch

Best for: Foods sold on visibility

Key point: Transparent panel shows the product

Lamination & Surface Films

Zipper side-gusset pouch

Best for: Resealable bulk products

Key point: Side gussets plus zipper for reuse

Lamination & Surface Films

Block-bottom brick pouch

Best for: Compact retail packs

Key point: Boxy shape, space-efficient

Specification Quick Reference

Typical size ranges and thickness concepts to help you read a quotation.

Thickness & Tolerance

01

Film thickness is measured in microns (μm); a common laminate is 70-120 μm total

02

Size tolerance on pouch dimensions is typically ±2-3 mm depending on format

03

Size tolerance on pouch dimensions is typically ±2-3 mm depending on format

04

Weight tolerance on fills is set by your filling equipment, not the pouch

Format Typical size range Typical fill
Three-side seal sachet 60 × 90 mm – 120 × 200 mm 5 – 100 g
Stand-up pouch 100 × 150 mm – 250 × 350 mm 100 g – 2 kg
Flat bottom pouch 120 × 200 mm – 260 × 380 mm 250 g – 5 kg
Side gusset pouch 150 × 250 mm – 400 × 700 mm 500 g – 15 kg
Spout pouch 100 × 150 mm – 200 × 300 mm 100 ml – 2 L
Retort pouch 120 × 170 mm – 220 × 320 mm 100 g – 1 kg
Vacuum pouch 150 × 200 mm – 300 × 450 mm 250 g – 5 kg
Pillow pouch 100 × 160 mm – 250 × 400 mm 25 – 250 g

Barrier Fundamentals

Freshness is a race against four enemies: oxygen, moisture, light and aroma loss. Barrier packaging slows all four down.

  • Oxygen

    Oxygen oxidizes fats, oils, vitamins and colors — the main cause of rancidity and browning. Aluminum foil blocks nearly all oxygen; high-barrier films like EVOH and coated VMPET block most of it.

  • Moisture

    Moisture exchange goes both ways: dry products absorb humidity and clump, frozen products lose moisture as ice crystal sublimation. The inner PE layer and overall structure control moisture vapor transmission.

  • Light

    UV and visible light degrade vitamins, flavors and colors. Foil and metallized layers block light; white ink layers also reduce light transmission on transparent films.

  • Aroma

    Aroma molecules are small and escape easily through poor barriers. A coffee bag that smells like coffee on the shelf is a bag losing aroma. Barrier layers keep the smell inside.

Printing Basics

Three processes print on film. Each has a strength, and the right choice depends on quantity, artwork and budget.

Process How it works Best for Consider
Gravure Engraved chrome cylinders carry ink onto film Long runs, fine gradients, metallic inks, high saturation Cylinder engraving cost, longer setup
Flexo Flexible raised plates transfer ink via anilox roller Medium runs, quick changeovers, water-based inks Ink coverage limits on large solids
Digital Inkjet prints directly without cylinders or plates Short runs, variable data, prototypes Higher per-unit cost at scale, limited special inks

Ecopak runs 12-color gravure and 8-color flexo lines, so the process is matched to your job — not forced onto one line.

From RFQ to Delivery

From RFQ to Delivery, we streamline every procedure to deliver reliable products with efficient response and strict quality control.

What to Prepare for an RFQ

  • Product: what is inside, weight, portion size
  • Structure or material preference (if any)
  • Printing: number of colors, artwork files (AI/PDF, 300 dpi)
  • Finish: gloss, matte, spot UV, foil, window
  • Quantity and target unit price
  • Destination market and required certifications

Seven Common Mistakes

  • Judging color from a screenshot instead of a Pantone reference or sample
  • Submitting artwork below 300 dpi and expecting sharp print
  • Ignoring the difference between sample and mass-run color tolerance
  • Choosing a structure by price before confirming shelf life
  • Forgetting destination compliance docs until shipment ready
  • Assuming MOQ is the same across all pouch types
  • Approving a finish without handling the physical sample

The Five Steps

  1. 01

    RFQ & review

    We confirm structure, ink coverage and feasibility

    Within 24 hours

  2. 02

    Sampling

    Pantone-matched sample with your artwork

    3–5 Working days

  3. 03

    Approval

    Approve color, structure and finish via physical sample

    1–3 Days

  4. 04

    Mass production

    Cylinders/plates, printing, laminating, slitting, bagmaking

    15–25 Working days

  5. 05

    QC & shipment

    Batch inspection, documents, loading

    Per schedule

Pouch vs Bottle vs Carton

Not every product needs a rigid package. The decision changes with weight, protection needs, logistics and shelf presence.

Consideration Flexible pouch Rigid bottle Carton box
Empty weight & shipping Lightest, lowest freight Heaviest Heavy
Space when empty Flat, compact Bulky Bulky
Barrier options Tunable layers, foil, metallized Bottle wall, cap seal Needs inner liner
Shelf presence Stand-up formats available Strong shape Strong shape
Cost per unit (high volume) Low Medium Medium
Resealability Zipper or spout Cap Folding closure

Flexible packaging wins on logistics & design flexibility; rigid on perceived strength. Many brands combine them: pouch in carton, refill pouch for bottle.

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