Flat Bottom Pouches and Stand-Up Pouches in direct comparison

Stand-up pouches or flat bottom pouches – which packaging is the better choice? Both variants are popular and offer clear advantages. While flat bottom pouches score particularly highly thanks to their stability and elegant design, stand-up pouches impress with their flexible handling, lower costs and rapid availability.

So why this comparison? At Labelisten, we have been successfully producing Stand-Up Pouches for years – our machinery is designed for this purpose and has grown accordingly. With the addition of our Flat Bottom Pouch production, our range has now been specifically expanded. The new machine has been installed, tested and is an integral part of our production, so that Flat Bottom Pouches can now also be ordered directly from us.

That's why we would like to show you what makes Stand-Up Pouches and Flat Bottom Pouches different and in which cases which type of pouch may be better suited to your product. You can now configure and order our Flat Bottom Pouches directly from us – you can find all the information you need on the relevant product page.

Structure & Design – The Differences

The most important difference between stand-up pouches and flat bottom pouches lies in the bottom:

• Stand-up pouches have an oval bottom, which gives them stability and ensures that they stand securely.
• Flat bottom pouches, on the other hand, have a flat bottom with side folds, which allows them to be displayed in a particularly space-saving manner on the shelf.

When is which pouch suitable?

Basically, there is no big difference between stand-up pouches and flat bottom pouches when it comes to functionality. Anything you can put in a flat bottom pouch can also be easily packed in a stand-up pouch. Both variants protect your product reliably and offer you a lot of flexibility in design and size.

The difference lies more in the appearance and personal taste. Those who prefer a more angular, box-like shape may prefer flat bottom pouches, while stand-up pouches impress with their simple, modern shape.

Zipper variants – Which bags offer which options?

There are a few important differences between the zipper options, depending on whether you choose stand-up pouches or flat bottom pouches. Our stand-up pouches come with either the classic zipper or the hook-to-hook zipper – both tried and tested, both reliable, but different in terms of handling. The flat bottom pouches also offer you the hook-to-hook zipper, but in addition also the so-called pocket zipper, which looks particularly elegant.

Standard zipper
The classic zipper is the closure that most people are familiar with: it sits at the top of the bag, is easy to open and closes securely. Robust, functional and reliable – perfect for products that are opened and closed frequently. A solid all-rounder that is standard in many industries.

Hook-to-Hook zipper
The hook-to-hook zipper works differently: it does not slide, but "sticks" – similar to a soft Velcro fastener. This makes it feel more premium and allows it to be closed particularly intuitively. Its big advantage is particularly evident with protein powders or granules: no residue settles in the zipper, as can happen with standard zippers. The closure remains clean, smooth-running and reliable – even after frequent opening.

Pocket zipper
The pocket zipper is the most elegant version. It is not located at the top of the bag, but at the front in an integrated "pocket" of the flat bottom pouch. This keeps the upper edge sealed and the bag looks like it is made from a single piece until it is opened. Visually, the pocket zipper brings a sense of calm to the design, as the closure is not visible at first glance. This makes it ideal for premium products, clean designs or brands that value particularly high-quality packaging.

Costs & availability – what is the cheaper alternative?

When it comes to costs and availability, stand-up pouches clearly have the edge. They are significantly cheaper than flat bottom pouches and are also available without a minimum order quantity. This makes them particularly attractive for smaller order quantities, limited editions or test phases.

Delivery times:
Stand-up pouches are produced in a short time, as usual. Flat bottom pouches require a little more production time due to their more complex structure – but here too, we remain fast and reliable, as is typical for Labelisten. You can expect delivery in around 20 working days.

Our tip:
If you are looking for a flexible, fast and economical solution, our stand-up pouches are currently the perfect choice.

The advantages of our pouches

Whether stand-up pouches or flat bottom pouches – both packaging solutions have their strengths:

Advantages of stand-up pouches:

• Flexibility and versatility: Suitable for snacks, powders, food supplements and many other products.
• Cost-effective: More cost-effective than flat bottom pouches.
• Space efficiency: Saves space during transport and storage.
• Design variety: Customisable design with viewing windows, matt or metallic surfaces.
• Practical extras: Zippers, aroma valves and other custom extras.

Advantages of flat bottom pouches:

• Stable shape: Stand securely and are easy to stack.
• 5 printable surfaces: Offer maximum opportunities for branding and product information.
• High-quality appearance: Perfect for products such as coffee beans or pet food.
• Compact presentation: Their shape means they take up less shelf space in the supermarket.
• Professional shelf impact: Particularly appealing and structured on the sales shelf.

Conclusion

Both packaging solutions – stand-up pouches and flat bottom pouches – have their own strengths. Stand-up pouches are the optimal choice when flexibility, cost efficiency and rapid availability are priorities. They are suitable for a wide range of products and offer extensive design and customisation options.

Flat bottom pouches, on the other hand, score points with their stable shape and elegant appearance, which is particularly attractive for products such as coffee beans and pet food. Their compact presentation on the shelf can also be a decisive advantage.

If you are still unsure which packaging is right for your product, simply test it yourself. Our free sample pack gives you a realistic impression of the structure, feel and workmanship – ideal for initial filling tests. This will quickly give you a feel for which type of bag works best for your product. Just give it a try!