Packaging Bag Styles: Pillow, Gusset, Stand-Up, Zipper, Spout
Pillow, gusset, 3-side seal, 4-side seal, stick and linked bags are made from roll film on a VFFS or sachet machine; stand-up, zipper, spout, handle and shaped pouches are bought ready-made and filled on a premade pouch machine. Flow-wrapped packs are pillow bags made on a horizontal machine around a solid product.
Which bags can a VFFS machine make?
- Pillow bag (back or centre seal) — the standard snack bag
- Gusset bag — side folds give more volume and a flatter base
- Linked bags — strips of bags cut in groups
- Bags with hole punch or euro hole for hanging
- 3-side, 4-side and back-seal sachets and stick packs on the 160 series
Which pouches need a premade pouch machine?
- Stand-up pouch (doypack)
- Zipper (re-closable) pouch
- Spout pouch for liquids and jelly
- Handle bag
- Flat 3-side and 4-side seal pouches
- Shaped pouches
Which bag looks best on a shelf?
Stand-up zipper pouches stand upright and show a full printed front, which is why coffee, nuts and pet food brands use them. Pillow bags are cheaper and lie flat or hang. Gusset bags sit between the two.
What film thickness do roll-film machines run?
Our VFFS machines run heat-sealable laminated or PE film from 0.04 to 0.08 mm, with separate temperature control (±1 °C) for the vertical and horizontal seals.
Frequently asked questions
Can one machine make both pillow and gusset bags?
Yes, a VFFS machine with a gusset device can switch between the two by enabling or disabling the gusset forming.