Driven by consumption upgrades and evolving aesthetics, young people are becoming a major force in the food and beverage market. Compared to previous generations, they demand packaging that is not only practical but also portable, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally friendly. Whether it's a quick drink on the way to work or small snacks to stock up on at home, stand-up pouches are increasingly gaining popularity due to their lightweight, space-saving, and attractive display.

For this reason, more and more food and beverage brands are exploring the potential of stand-up pouch packaging, hoping to meet the preferences of young consumers through optimal bag design and material design. MTPAK is one such brand. We have long specialized in flexible packaging, providing a variety of customized stand-up pouch solutions for coffee, food, and beverage brands.

This guide will explain why stand-up pouches are so popular among young people and how, through professional customization, they can become a key tool for brand development.

Why do young people prefer this kind of packaging?

Stand-up pouches are an innovative and efficient packaging solution currently in widespread use. Unlike traditional lightweight plastic bags, stand-up pouches easily stand on the shelf, making them an excellent alternative to cartons.

Stand-up pouches are a flexible packaging format with a doyen or rounded bottom. They are lightweight and stand firmly when filled, balancing portability with shelf appeal.

Young people prefer this type of food or beverage packaging because, compared to glass and rigid plastic bottles, stand-up pouches are lighter, making them more suitable for on-the-go use, especially for camping and short trips. They also offer convenient functionality, with some styles featuring tear-off tabs, zippers, and spouts, allowing snacks, juices, and instant drinks to be enjoyed on the go.

Furthermore, recent advances in printing technology have enabled high-quality printing on stand-up pouches. For example, artist collaborations and unique designs are highly appealing to young people, appealing to their desire for social sharing and their consumer philosophy of "appearance is everything."

Meanwhile, for those who are environmentally conscious, stand-up pouches are made from environmentally friendly materials and are recyclable.

These factors combined have made stand-up pouches a popular packaging format for young people.

What are the core advantages of stand up pouches? 

1. Convenience 

Convenience is one of the key advantages of stand-up pouches. They are easy to store and transport, making them convenient for consumers. They can be squeezed or shaped to fit into tight spaces or carry-on luggage. For businesses seeking convenient packaging to enhance brand appeal, stand-up pouches are highly valuable. After all, brands that inspire consumer trust tend to attract more buyers. 

2. Flexibility 

Stand-up pouches come in a variety of structures and configurations, with a wide variety of shapes to accommodate both liquids and solids. Their flexibility, thanks to their expandable gussets, further enhances space efficiency. From small snack packages weighing a few grams to kilograms of pet food or nutritional supplements, stand-up pouches can accommodate a wide range of needs. 

3. Space Saving

Designed to stand upright, stand-up pouches take up less space on store shelves or in pantries. This makes them a highly efficient packaging option for retailers and consumers. Unlike rigid cartons, the lightweight design of stand-up pouches allows for efficient packaging, allowing more bags to fit into vehicles and storage spaces, reducing shipping and storage time and effort.

4. Product Safety

These bags also offer inherent safety features: they easily preserve food by enhancing freshness and providing a protective barrier against contamination. Furthermore, the durable film is puncture-resistant, protecting products during transport. Manufacturers also utilize specialized films for moisture and UV protection.

However, the quality of stand-up pouches depends largely on material selection and structural design.

What are the common materials used to make stand up pouches? 

1.LLDPE 

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is one of the most common lining materials used in food-grade stand-up pouches. Its excellent moisture and puncture resistance effectively prevents water vapor penetration, thereby extending product freshness. Due to its inherent oil resistance, LLDPE is widely used in packaging for a variety of products, including snacks, pet food, and detergents. When used as a heat-sealing layer, LLDPE provides a uniform and secure seal across various temperature ranges, ensuring safety during transportation and stacking. 

2.PET 

The biggest advantage of this material is that it is recyclable and environmentally friendly. It also saves costs in production and transportation, making it very economical. In addition, it can be provided with an attractive surface treatment, such as matte or glossy.

3.Aluminum foil film

This is a laminate of different materials. Unlike other types of packaging, it blocks light, moisture, and oxygen. The main benefits of using aluminum foil are affordability and convenience. With it, you can add various openings, such as hanging holes, tear notches, zipper locks, and more.

4.Composite Film

Composite film can be made from a variety of materials, including plastic, nylon, polyethylene, and polyester, to achieve complementary performance. It combines high barrier properties with durability, effectively preventing oxygen and moisture from entering the package, protecting the contents from the external environment. Composite film is both flexible and strong, making it ideal for packaging food, beverages, and fragile items that require a high level of protection.

What makes good stand-up pouch packaging? 

A high-quality stand-up pouch must first and foremost fulfill its core mission — preserving product freshness. This requires scientifically tested barrier properties, such as the commonly used OTR (oxygen transmission rate) and WVTR (water vapor transmission rate) metrics. A well-designed multi-layer structure can effectively delay oxidation, moisture absorption, and flavor loss, ensuring that products remain at their peak quality throughout their shelf life. 

However, a barrier layer alone is not enough. A weak seal can lead to air leaks or bag breakage during transportation or stacking. High-quality stand-up pouches must undergo rigorous heat-seal strength tests to ensure a uniform and tight seal under appropriate temperature and pressure. This is also a crucial criterion for evaluating the manufacturer's professionalism.     

Secondly, it's crucial to consider whether the detailed design meets consumers' real needs. The usability of the packaging directly determines repurchase rates. For example, does the zipper operate smoothly? Is there a tear notch? Is the bag easy to handle with one hand? These details all impact the consumer's daily experience. 

At the same time, sustainable packaging has become an industry trend. A growing number of young consumers are opting for eco-friendly packaging, requiring brands to consider recyclable and biodegradable materials when designing stand-up pouches. Of course, there are also some exaggerated environmental claims in the market, such as the vague statement of "100% biodegradable." Therefore, brands need to find a realistic and balanced solution between environmental protection and functionality.     

Finally, the texture and visual presentation of packaging and printing cannot be ignored. High-definition printing and a high-quality appearance can help a brand stand out. For consumers, packaging is often the first impression of a product's value. For companies, properly allocating packaging costs and market positioning is also part of ensuring product competitiveness. 

About MTPAK's stand-up bag solutions           

As a supplier specializing in flexible packaging, MTPAK provides brands with full-process stand-up pouch customization services:   

Highly customized solutions 

Our standard flexible packaging portfolio offers proven quality and a wide range of customization options for diverse industries. Whether in shape, size, number of layers, coatings, or materials, we offer flexible combinations to create the ideal packaging that aligns with your brand's positioning. From flat-bottom and rounded-corner pouches to designs with valves or transparent windows, we can tailor bag designs to meet product requirements. Our team of experts can also provide professional consultation to ensure your solution is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. 

Providing high-standard printing and mass production

In addition to being a global supplier of flexible packaging, MTPAK also possesses specialized printing capabilities. We offer a variety of printing processes, including flexographic, digital, and gravure printing, enabling the creation of high-definition graphics and complex designs on both the interior and exterior of packaging. Furthermore, our complementary coating and lamination technologies enable the application of wear-resistant varnishes, cold-seal adhesives, or PVC coatings to enhance the packaging's durability and visual appeal.

In terms of production capacity, MTPAK is able to accommodate both small-batch customization and large-scale production. The current FOB price for stand-up pouches is approximately US$0.08–0.50, with a minimum order quantity of 15,000 pieces and a monthly supply capacity of up to 1 million pieces. Production lead times are 30–45 days.

Supporting enterprises' transformation to environmentally friendly packaging

To comply with the trend of sustainable development, MTPAK has launched an environmentally friendly packaging series that includes recyclable and compostable solutions. These solutions prioritize environmental protection while maintaining the same high performance as the standard series. With advanced material research and market insights, we help brands smoothly achieve green transformation. At present, this series of products has passed the MBP sustainable development certification, providing strong support for the brand's environmental compliance and consumer reputation.

Conclusion

Young consumers prioritize experience, aesthetics, and value, driving strong growth in the food and beverage market for stand-up pouches. Judging a stand-up pouch's success isn't just about appearance; it should comprehensively consider its freshness barrier, seal reliability, user experience, and sustainability practices.

If you're planning new product packaging for young people or looking to upgrade existing packaging to stand-up pouches more suitable for retail and e-commerce, MTPAK can provide full support, from concept design and technical proofing to regulatory and transportation testing. Contact us for sample bags or a customized quote.

Email：account@mtpak.com 

Contact us：https://mtpak.com/contact-mtpak