Why Small Brands Keep Switching to Pillow Pouches This Year

Packaging does not necessarily have to be complicated to be effective. Many brands believe they have to have a pouch that stands up or a hard box to look professional, but a simple well done shape often will do a better job and be cheaper to manufacture. It's the gentle magic of Pillow Pouches. The rounded, cushion shape is very good at securing a product, provides a clean print and doesn't require an additional element such as a zipper or spout to make it look finished.

What Exactly Is a Pillow Pouch?

A pillow pouch is a flat, closed container, shaped slightly like a small pillow, but with two straight edges near the top. Simple production and low per-unit cost due to being sealed back and sealed at both ends. Due to less film, the shape is widely used for snacks, candy, small hardware products and any other product offered in single-serve or trial size.

Why Do Brands Keep Switching to This Shape?

It's typically cost that is the initial reason. A production run for pillow pouch production will have lower costs at scale and when compared with the stand up pouch, which also requires less material, this is also important for brands that are still working towards volume growth. Presentation is the second reason. The soft, rounded pack is much more pleasing to read and is much better suited for food, beauty products and gift items than stiff, boxy packs. When brands make the switch to Printed Pillow Pouches, they can also see a difference in how their packaging appears in the photos as the pillows are curved and reflect light differently than a flat rectangular bag would.

What Should You Look for Before Ordering?

Not all pillow pouches are created equal and some details determine whether or not they last after they're packed and mailed.

Film and Barrier Quality

If you're ordering a film, make sure you see what it's really made of. A single-layer thin film may seem adequate on paper but will not adequately protect a product from moisture or air as a good laminate will.

Seal Strength

Inquire with the manufacturer on how they perform a seal strength test, rather than the appearance of the pouch when empty. Custom Printed Pillow Pouches require a seal that could withstand the filling, shipping and handling process and not just for a photo shoot.

Print and Finish

Ensure the printing technique is the one you are after. The different finishes, matte, gloss or foil behave differently when printed and some printers are unable to provide all of these finishes at a reasonable price point.

Where Do Custom Pillow Packaging Bags Work Best?

Some products are shaped that way naturally and it is helpful to understand where it will work best before purchasing it.

• Individual items of food and candy
• Sample-size skincare or beauty products
• Small items of hardware, craft items or promotional goods
• Something light, dry, like a tea bag, coffee samples, etc.

The key to Good Pillow Pouch Packaging is "matching" the product to the format rather than forcing a shape into a package where it doesn't belong. Generally a heavy or bulky item will require a stronger constructed container, while anything light and small will fit nicely in this format.

Which US Manufacturers Stand Out Right Now?

Some American manufacturers have made a reputation for themselves just with flexible packages like these and they all offer a different sort of value. Other manufacturers, such as Display Packaging Boxes, begin with film selection and seal testing and then proceed to print, resulting in more uniformity of finished product appearance.

Display Packaging Boxes

This manufacturer does not involve various vendors when it comes to the production of anything, but distributes the work internally from the sourcing of materials to the printing of the final product. One advantage to that is that there is no handoff between different outside suppliers throughout the process, which helps to keep the timelines shorter and quality more consistent.

OXO Packaging

OXO Packaging has established its reputation based on quick turnaround on smaller-size orders, particularly for brands testing a new product line before committing to a larger run. They offer a variety of different pouch designs that are not solely pillow-shaped.

Packlane

Packlane's well-known online ordering system enables brands to create and preview packaging without the requirement of a design crew. This is a convenience that works well for smaller businesses, but if your barrier needs to be very technical, this may not be as much back-and-forth as you need.

What Mistakes Slow Brands Down?

Some common packaging errors can be avoided with this type.

• Purchasing a complete production lot before sampling a sample lot
• Choosing a film that is not thick enough for the film's intended shelf life
• Selecting finishes which are not durable on a curved surface.
• Conducting seal strength tests in the same manner for all manufacturers

Final Thoughts:

Pillow Pouch is not a showy sign of success; it's just right. They present an affordable, clean and easy-to-use packaging solution for small and mid-sized brands that wouldn't have to pay for a more intricate format. As long as there are basic things done right from the get-go, Pouches with a good barrier film and a well-tested seal can go head to head on the shelf with much more costly packaging. From snack packaging to beauty samples to small promotional items, a package designed around the product itself not the design is typically what makes the difference between packaging that works and packaging that looks good in a mock-up.