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Custom kraft stand-up pouches

Pouches are the lightest way to ship a given volume of product, which is why coffee and supplements moved to them. The honest complication is end-of-life: a kraft face does not make a pouch recyclable on its own.

Indicative price
$0.30/unit
Construction
Kraft paper laminate, bottom-gusseted
Minimum order
50 units

Indicative only. Final price depends on dieline, board grade, print count and volume. See volume tiers

A kraft stand-up pouch is a flexible package with a kraft paper outer layer and a functional inner barrier, gusseted at the base so it stands on a shelf. Structure choice determines whether the finished pouch is recyclable, compostable, or neither.

The recyclability question, answered properly

A conventional kraft pouch is a laminate: kraft paper bonded to PET and a foil or metallised layer, sealed with polyethylene. That combination gives excellent barrier and effectively zero recyclability, because no municipal stream can separate the layers.

There are two honest alternatives. A mono-material recyclable structure uses polyethylene throughout with a kraft-look print, and goes into store drop-off film recycling. A certified compostable structure uses kraft paper with a PLA and cellulose barrier and breaks down in a commercial composting facility.

Barrier and shelf life

Both sustainable structures trade some barrier for their end-of-life story. Compostable pouches typically give a shorter shelf life than a foil laminate, which matters for coffee and anything oxygen-sensitive.

We will tell you the realistic shelf life for each structure against your product rather than quoting the best-case number. For roasted coffee that difference is usually the deciding factor.

Specification

What we can build, and the numbers you will be asked for by anyone comparing quotes.

Structure
Kraft / PET / foil laminate, mono-material PE, or certified compostable
Capacity
2oz to 5lb, bottom-gusseted
Closure
Press-to-close zipper, child-resistant zipper, tin tie, heat seal
Valve
One-way degassing valve for coffee
Window
Clear or matte oval, round, or full-panel
Minimum order
50 units
Print
Rotogravure and digital, up to 8 colours
Production
14 to 21 business days

What brands use these for

Roasted coffee

Degassing valve, tin tie or zipper, and a barrier chosen against your actual roast-to-shelf window.

Loose leaf tea

Lower barrier requirement than coffee, so compostable structures work well without a shelf-life penalty.

Snacks and dry goods

Resealable zipper formats for granola, nuts and dried fruit at retail shelf sizes.

Powdered supplements

Larger capacity pouches with a wide gusset, often with a child-resistant closure.

Print and finishing

Available on this format. Each addition changes unit price, and we quote them line by line rather than as a bundle.

  • Matte or gloss finish
  • Spot gloss on matte
  • Soft-touch coating
  • Clear or frosted windows
  • One-way degassing valve
  • Press-to-close and child-resistant zippers
  • Tin tie closure
  • Hang hole and euro slot

Stand-up pouches questions

Are kraft stand-up pouches recyclable?

A standard kraft pouch is a multi-layer laminate and is not recyclable. A mono-material polyethylene pouch with kraft-look print is recyclable through store drop-off film streams. A certified compostable pouch breaks down in commercial composting. Choose the structure, and we will be straight about the trade-off.

Do I need a degassing valve for coffee?

For freshly roasted whole bean, yes. Coffee releases CO2 for days after roasting and a sealed pouch without a valve will swell and can burst. Ground coffee that rests before packing needs it less.

How much shelf life do compostable pouches give up?

It depends on the product and the barrier, so we test against your specification rather than quoting a general figure. For oxygen-sensitive products such as coffee the reduction is real and worth planning around.

Get pricing on stand-up pouches

Send your dimensions and volume. Pricing and a free structural dieline back within one business day.