Custom stand up pouches have revolutionized the packaging industry. Product manufacturers adore them because they can stand on a shelf or hang on a peg in a display, providing a plethora of fresh marketing choices. Standup pouches can also be printed with any number of colors, graphics, or logos because they are normally constructed of plastic or plastic/aluminum laminates. This helps them stand out even more in the retail environment.
All of this is to say that the word “custom pouches” in “custom printed” can be perplexing to customers, marketers, and even packaging specialists. Nothing is more aggravating than obtaining a final product that does not like what you expected. If you're not a graphics expert, take the following checklist to ensure that the custom stand up pouches you order are exactly what you want.
For stand up pouches, there are two sorts of printing procedures.
The first is rotogravure printing, which works similarly to a classic rotary printing press by engraving the image to be printed onto a copper cylinder before pressing it onto the item. Each color, which is usually a combination of CMYK hues, has its own printing unit on the press (cyan, magenta, yellow and key, which is printing terminology for black).
Flexographic printing is the second printing method, in which the stand-up pouch is fed into a printing machine from a roll. It's then sent through a series of print units, each of which prints a separate CMYK color.
For custom stand up pouches, make sure to include multiple copies of your artwork.
Two physical color copies, one hard black-and-white copy, and one digital copy, all kept on a compact disc, is a good rule of thumb. Many organizations will accept graphical files by email, but due to their huge size, a CD is usually advised. Most e-mail services should be able to handle your artwork if it is under 60MB.
Make sure to include a copy of your genuine color standards
(PMS numbers or color samples) together with copies of your artwork so that the colors of your artwork may be matched exactly.
The artwork for your stand-up bag should be created in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.
Although Adobe is the industry standard, most providers will also take Macromedia Freehand or CorelDraw. Most printers prefer that you offer them with three versions of your artwork on a CD: two EPS copies (one converted to outline, the other unconverted) and one PDF version.
In your custom stand up pouch design, draw outlines around all of the text.
Outlines convert text into little graphic designs, ensuring that your typefaces are not deformed during translation. Make sure you provide the printer with the fonts you used in your artwork as a precaution. You'll want the typefaces to match your design if they need to make alterations.
Any photographic photos you use must have a resolution of at least 350 dpi.
Lower resolution can cause pixilation and distortion in your image, which can harm your professional image.
Copies of the individual photos you utilized in your design should also be on hand at our printer.
Include these on the CD that you send in.
Never flatten the image layers of a stand-up bag.
All layers of an image or design should be kept distinct in case the printer has to change or revise one. All of the images you used should be provided to your printer in their original layered form.
Don't forget to give your supplier the UPC number.
Most providers can turn these numbers into a bar code that may be printed on your artwork.
Request a “print proof” of your stand up pouch artwork from your supplier.
complete with all of the PMS colors and information you've provided for your custom stand up pouches, to sign off on.
Finally, when the artwork and the film structure come together properly, few packaging items can rival with printed custom pouches. Your product will be remembered by customers, and stores will gladly display it. This checklist will assist you in communicating with your supplier and ensuring that your stand up pouch packaging stands out on store shelves.
