VFFS vs Premade Pouch Machine: Which Should You Buy?
Choose a VFFS machine if pack cost and speed matter most: it forms bags from roll film, which is the cheapest packaging material, and our frames run up to 60 bags per minute. Choose a premade pouch machine if the pack must stand on a shelf, re-close with a zipper or have a spout: it fills ready-made pouches at 10–60 per minute, and the pouches cost more per pack.
How do the two machines work?
A vertical form fill seal (VFFS) machine pulls film from a reel over a forming tube, seals the back seam, fills product through the tube and seals and cuts the top — all in one vertical motion. A premade pouch machine picks a finished pouch from a magazine, opens it with suction cups and jaws, fills it, then heat-seals the top as it indexes around a rotary table (8 stations on our HY-X8).
Which costs less per pack?
VFFS, usually by a wide margin, because roll film is cheaper than premade pouches. The difference grows with volume, which is why high-volume products like rice, sugar and snacks are mostly packed on VFFS machines.
Which is faster?
| VFFS (our range) | Premade pouch (our range) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical speed | 5–60 bags/min (sachets up to 70) | 10–60 pouches/min (40 on large pouches) |
| Pack types | Pillow, gusset, sachet, stick, linked bags | Stand-up, zipper, spout, flat, shaped |
| Size change | New former for each bag width | Width set from the screen with one button |
| Footprint | Smaller; tall if a weigher sits above | Larger rotary table |
| Best for | High volume, low pack cost | Premium shelf look, re-closable packs |
Which changes over faster?
A premade pouch machine. On our HY-X8 the width of all eight grippers is adjusted with one button, so changing pouch size is mostly loading new pouches. A VFFS needs a different forming tube for each bag width, although bag length is set on the screen.
Can I start with one and add the other later?
Yes. The dosing unit (auger, multihead weigher or pump) is the most expensive part of many lines and can often be moved between a VFFS and a pouch machine with a new mounting frame. Tell us both plans and we will specify a filler that fits both.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for coffee?
Instant coffee sticks run on VFFS sachet machines; roasted beans and premium ground coffee are usually in stand-up zipper pouches on a premade pouch line.