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How to Understand Pouches Like an Intern
TLDR
Designing Pouches Doesn't Have To Be Complicated.
Designing a pouch really comes down to five simple decisions: material, finish, closure, hang hole, and tear notch. I'll walk you through each step so you can confidently create your pouch.
When I started as an Intern, I quickly realized that not only does packaging have its own language but it is its own world.
Gusset, metallized, tear notch, high barrier film… yeah, I was lost too.
Not everyone has an expert to explain these things in depth, but don’t worry that’s why I’m here. By the end of this blog you’ll understand everything you need to know about ordering your pouches.
Like an intern, of course.
I’ll walk you through the process in the order of how you design your pouch… if it seems overwhelming just follow along with this blog.
We’ll start out with material, since that’s usually the first important decision. Different products need different levels of barrier protection, shelf appeal, and visibilty.
Think about what matters most for your product — do you want customers to see what’s inside, or is protecting freshness from moisture and oxygen the bigger priority?
Step 1: Material
| Materials | Benefits | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | Product Visibility (Window) | Jerky, Trail Mix, Dried Fruit |
| White | Vibrant Color | Supplements, Frozen Food, Powders |
| Metallized | Metallized barrier offer the highest protection against moisture, oxygen and odor control | Coffee, Protein Powder, Sensitive Skin Care Products |
Now that you’ve decided on your material you’ve already completed the bulk of the decisions. (Yes — it’s really that simple)!
Step 2: Finish
After choosing your material the next thing to think about is how you want the pouch to look and feel.
Gloss Lamination: A shiny finish for a polished look.
Matte Lamination: Soft touch, elevated shelf appearance.
Now that you have designed the look and feel let’s talk functionality.
Step 3: Closure
No Closure – For products that are single use or don’t need to be resealed.
Zipper Closure – Best for products that will be reopened, like coffee, pet treats, or granola.
Step 4: Hang Hole
Next is the hang hole. Don’t overthink this one, ask yourself: will the pouch be hanging up in a store, or sitting on a shelf? That answer usually makes the decision pretty easy.
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None Hang Hole Circle Sombrero
And finally tear notch
Step 5: Tear Notch
Tear Notch: A small indent on either side of the pouch for consumer convenience to open.
No Tear Noth: Not as common, but used in situations where opening convenience isn’t a priority
And that’s it — you’re officially a pro (intern) at pouch design.
Packaging can seem overwhelming when you are first introduced to it, especially when there are so many options, features, and technical terms.
The good news? You don’t need to be an expert, knowing the fundamentals is enough to get started.
Welcome to the packaging world.
