To make a pouch, the first things to decide are the style and dimensions.

When you visit any manufacturer's website, they will show you several pouch types — and most look quite similar. Some manufacturers support a wider variety of styles. For example, Tianyuan Packaging offers up to eight different flat or stand-up pouch shapes, including custom shapes and windows. Others may only offer stand-up pouches and lay-flat pouches. But there is a reason for this: those two types are simply the most common on the market.

Below is a general overview of the common pouch types you will find in the market.

1. Lay Flat Pouch (3-Side Seal Pouch)

This is the simplest pouch type. The manufacturer seals three sides of two films (or one sheet folded in half). After the customer receives the pouch, they fill it with their product (e.g., nuts or face masks) and then seal the fourth side themselves. In China, it is often called 3-Side Seal.

A lay flat pouch pouch can be fitted with a ziplock, or one side can be extended to allow holes for hanging. The unsealed fourth side can face any direction.

2. Pillow Pouch (Back Seal Pouch)

Commonly seen for instant noodles, snacks, and ice cream. The seal is at the back, and the top or bottom is then sealed. The shape resembles a pillow, hence the name. In China, it is also called Back Seal Pouch — named after the manufacturing process.

Advantage: The front design remains completely unaffected by the seal.

3. Stand-up Pouch (SUP)

This is the most common three-dimensional pouch type on the market. Based on the lay flat pouch, a bottom gusset is added to increase capacity. The pouch can also stand — although not always perfectly stable.

The stand-up pouch offers an excellent balance between cost and appearance. It can be fitted with a ziplock or made into a shaped pouch, but the opening is always at the top.

4.Gusseted Back Seal Pouch (Gusseted Pouch)

An evolution of the pillow pouch, with gussets added on both sides, greatly increasing capacity. Because of its shape, it is also called a Gusset Pouch.

5. Side Gusseted Pouch

A variation of gusseted pouch. It looks cleaner and simpler, but the downside is that the seal makes it slightly asymmetrical.

Tianyuan Packaging also offers a melt-edge technology that makes the side seal less visible. However, this is currently available only for specific materials. Please contact us for more details.

6. Quad Seal Pouch (4-Side Seal Pouch)

A further development of the side gusseted pouch — all four sides (rather than just one) are sealed. This is very necessary for heavy products such as rice.

A quad seal pouch with a sealed bottom can stand on its own. The remaining open side can be at the top or bottom. For rice bags, the opening is usually at the bottom, while the top is fitted with a handle for easy carrying.

7. Flat Bottom Pouch (8-Side Seal Pouch)

The strongest and sturdiest pouch type among all flexible packaging. Built on the 4-side seal design, the bottom is also sealed — which gives it the name "8-Side Seal."

No matter what you put inside, the flat bottom pouch is a reliable choice. The opening is only at the top.

8. Film Roll

This is a special form. For many manufacturers, they do not need ready-made pouches — only roll film produced to their specifications. Their machines can then automatically fold, seal the sides, seal the bottom, fill, and close.

As a result, roll film is an important product category for flexible packaging suppliers. The earlier types — lay flat pouch, pillow pouch, and small sachets — can all be produced directly from film roll.

For more detail of the pouches, pictures for example, please jump here for more information.