Successful pouch design is not just about bold graphics. Instead, consider combining shelf appeal with practical production considerations to improve manufacturing efficiency. We’ll focus on the strategies to boost your product success and get your packaging sooner to go to market on time.
Proper design of your stand up pouches or flat/sachet bags can create a better customer experience. Brands often discover that the most effective pouch designs are the ones that balance creativity with functionality.
Here are some design guidelines to get you started.
Design for Visibility First
Consumers make split-second decisions while shopping. Your packaging must quickly communicate:
- What the product is
- Why it matters
- Why it’s different from the competition
Keep Critical Areas Free From Important Graphics
One of the most overlooked flexible packaging design mistakes is placing logos, text, or key imagery too close to functional pouch features like zippers or tear strips. Artwork placed too close to these areas may become distorted, difficult to read, or entirely hidden.
Consider these best practices:
- Keep logos and art below zipper and tear lines
- Maintain safe margins around seals
- Avoid placing barcodes near edges
- Leave adequate bleed areas for trimming accuracy
Use Dieline Templates Early in the Design Process
A strong pouch design starts with the correct dieline template. A dieline template is used to ensure the correct design and layout of your final packaging. Its diagram shows cut lines and production boundaries. A dieline helps create packaging that is visually appealing while also being easy to manufacture and fill.
Without a proper dieline, artwork placement issues can lead to production delays, wasted materials, or inconsistent final results.
Why Use NBi FlexPack Dielines?
Our dielines are specifically designed for a range of common packaging sizes and applications, including dietary supplements, candies, cookies, granola, dog and cat snacks, as well as dispensary pouches and bags.
Using our standardized dielines can help:
- Streamline manufacturing
- Reduce production costs
- Simplify future reorders
- Improve production consistency
- Shorten delivery time
How to Create Artwork Using a Dieline Template
Dieline templates are typically completed by a graphic designer using software such as Adobe Illustrator.
Designers use the template layers to:
- Position artwork correctly
- Account for seals
- Maintain bleed and safety areas
- Ensure print-ready file accuracy
Understand Quantity Yields Before Ordering
Another important consideration in flexible packaging production is quantity yield. NBi FlexPack maintains a +/- 10% quantity tolerance on all pouch orders. Production yields can vary slightly from run to run based on manufacturing conditions.
What quantity yields mean to you:
- Final shipped quantities may be slightly above or below the original order quantity.
- Final billing reflects actual shipped quantities.
- Additional shipped quantities increase remaining balance.
- Lower shipped quantities reduce remaining amount on invoice.
What if a Standard Dieline Doesn’t Fit Your Product?
Not every product fits a standard pouch structure. If an NBi FlexPack dieline does not meet your application requirements, contact us in the form below for a custom quote.
Custom packaging help brands:
- Create unique shelf presence
- Improve product protection
- Differentiate from competitors
For brands looking to improve both packaging performance and visual impact, thoughtful flexible packaging design is one of the smartest investments they can make.
Have questions, or want a free quote? Submit the form below for personal assistance.