"What are the different types of snack packaging?" you might ask. Well, before we delve into that, let's first understand the importance of snack packaging. Packaging plays an undeniably crucial role in the success of your snack business. Snack packaging doesn’t just protect your products from external factors—it also serves as a standalone marketing tool. Your final custom snack packaging, depending on how you execute this, will entice customers with its design and educate with the information printed on it, whether it be textual or graphic information. Over the years, snack packaging has evolved significantly. From simple paper wrappings to sophisticated, multi-layered structures, the snack packaging journey has been marked by innovation and sustainability. The evolution has been driven by factors such as: This transformation has led to the development of a variety of snack packaging types, which we will explore in the next section. Snack packaging, essential for product protection and marketing, comes in various types: flexible, rigid, sustainable, and specialized. Each offers unique benefits, addressing needs for protection, sustainability, and functionality. The future trends lean towards eco-friendly materials and innovative technology. Flexible packaging is a popular choice in the snack industry due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness. This is our forte at Pouch Me, and we print, finish, assemble, and ship these on a daily basis for our own customers. This type of custom snack packaging includes a variety of options such as: custom flexible pouches (like stand up pouches, which is an extremely popular packaging type for snacks), poly bags, standard plastic bags, and lidding films. Let’s get into the different types of flexible snack packaging. Pouches, bags, and sachets have become a go-to option for many snack manufacturers. Seeing that our business is called, “Pouch Me,” we may appear biased, but just by looking at the shelves in groceries and supermarkets, and according to this study, you will deduce that this is true. Pouches are lightweight, easy to handle, and offer excellent product visibility. We produce them as individual custom snack pouches, but our customers also order them as roll film for vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) packaging. Stand-up pouches, in particular, are popular due to their ability to stand upright on shelves, making them an attractive option for retailers. Plastic bags are not protective at all, and we recommend you don’t skimp on your budget by using these to package your snacks.What Are The Different Types of Snack Packaging?
The Rewarding Journey of Custom Snack Packaging
What Are The Different Types of Snack Packaging
Packaging Type #1: Flexible Packaging Is Still The Most Versatile Option
Premade Pouches to Package Most Snacks = Convenience At Its Best
Use Plastic Bags Only to Bundle Snacks
You can use them to bundle different SKUs for promotions; think five sample flavor packs and one family sharing pack, for example.
Plastic bags are not the same as poly bags, which we will discuss next.
The main thing to remember is that plastic bags can be as thin as 0.002 inches—50x thinner than poly bags!
On the other hand, you can purchase poly bags that are between 0.0005 inches and 0.0025 inches thick, which give more flexibility, making them less brittle than plastic bags.
Poly Bags Are The Classic Choice
Poly bags are a classic choice in snack packaging. These are durable, lightweight, and offer excellent barrier properties.
Like pouches, we can add reclosable zippers so we can seal and reseal the bags, ensuring the freshness of your snacks.
Seal the Deal With Lidding Films
We use lidding films to seal containers—these provide an additional layer of protection.
They are typically used in conjunction with other packaging types, such as plastic containers or paperboard boxes.
Packaging Type #2: Count on Rigid Packaging for Strength and Durability
Rigid snack packaging offers strength and durability, making it an ideal choice for snacks that require extra protection. Like other snack packaging types, there are pros and cons to this.
In this category, we have included: paperboard boxes, plastic containers, and metal cans.
Paperboard Boxes Are A Sustainable Choice
Boxes are a sustainable choice in snack packaging, since these are paper-based.
Manufacturers make these from renewable resources and are easily recyclable.
They offer excellent printability, making them an attractive option if you are looking to make a statement with your packaging.
Plastic Containers Offer Versatility and Visibility
Plastic containers are always a go-to for snack businesses who want versatility and product visibility.
They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them suitable for a wide range of snacks.
Plastic containers are also lightweight, making them easy to handle and transport. If you pursue this option, make sure to check the quality, since a lot of plastic containers can be flimsy and fracture during transport.
Metal Cans Ensure Long-lasting Freshness
Metal cans are known for their ability to preserve the freshness of snacks for a long period.
Being made of metal, they are tough and offer excellent barrier properties. A big downside is that they are cumbersome and cost a lot more to transport.
Metal-based snack packaging gives you the advantage of great mechanical strength, protecting your snacks from moisture, light, and air.
Packaging Type #3: Sustainable Packaging Works Toward a Greener Future
Sustainable packaging is gaining momentum in the snack industry.
Brands are increasingly opting for green packaging solutions such as plant-based packaging, and recyclable packaging.
Plant-Based Snack Packaging is Nature's Solution
Plant-based packaging is made from plant materials such as cornstarch and sugarcane. It is biodegradable and compostable, making it an eco-friendly choice.
At Pouch Me, we can provide bags made of Kraft PLA, which is a bioactive thermoplastic derived from renewable resources such as cornstarch, sugarcane, or other agricultural crops.
Recyclable Snack Packaging Means Closing the Loop
Recyclable packaging is designed to be collected, processed, and reused, reducing waste and conserving resources.
You can count materials such as paper, cardboard, and certain types of plastic under this type of snack packaging.
Packaging Type #4: Specialized Packaging Meets Specific Needs
What are the different types of snack packaging? We can alternatively group based on needs.
Specialized packaging is designed to meet particular needs, such as extended shelf life, tamper evidence, and easy opening.
This custom snack packaging category includes multi-layer structures, spiral-wound packaging, and barrier polymer packaging.
Multi-Layer Structures Guarantee Enhanced Protection
Multi-layer structures are a type of flexible film packaging that consists of multiple layers of different materials. Our flexible barrier pouches at Pouch Me fall under this type of snack packaging.
Each layer serves a specific function, such as barrier protection, heat sealability, and printability. Learn more about barrier packaging to see if it's something you want for your snacks.
This combination of materials provides enhanced protection, ensuring the freshness and quality of your snacks.
Spiral-Wound Snack Packaging Deliver Strength and Rigidity
When answering the question, "What are the different types of snack packaging," this next one isn't a common recommendation as it is not as popular.
Spiral-wound packaging is a type of rigid packaging that is made by spirally winding and bonding together multiple layers of material.
This kind of snack packaging offers strength and rigidity, making it an ideal choice for snacks that require extra protection.
Barrier Polymer Snack Packaging Keeps Snacks Fresh
Barrier polymer packaging is designed to keep snacks fresh by providing an excellent barrier against moisture, oxygen, and light.
We typically use these for snacks that are sensitive to these factors, such as chips and cookies.
Future Trends in Snack Packaging
The future of snack packaging is likely to be driven by sustainability and innovation.
What are the different types of snack packaging we are yet to see? We can expect to see more eco-friendly and sustainable packaging options, such as biodegradable and compostable materials.
Innovation will also play a key role, with advancements in technology leading to the development of smarter, more functional packaging.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, snack packaging plays a crucial role in the snack industry. It not only protects the product but also serves as a marketing tool.
With a variety of packaging types available, you can choose the one that best suits your product and sustainability goals.
What Are The Different Types Of Snack Packaging FAQs
+ What are the 4 types of packaging?
The four main types of packaging are primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary packaging.
- Primary packaging is the material that first envelops the product and holds it.
- Secondary packaging groups primary packages together.
- Tertiary packaging groups secondary packages together for handling and transportation.
- Quaternary packaging is an additional layer for handling and transportation.
+ What are the 4 types of food packaging?
The four types of food packaging are flexible, rigid, semi-rigid, and vacuum packaging.
- Flexible packaging includes materials like plastic bags and pouches.
- Rigid packaging includes materials like glass jars and metal cans.
- Semi-rigid packaging includes materials like aluminum trays.
- Vacuum packaging involves removing air from the package before sealing it.
+ What is the packaging for snacks?
Snack packaging can be of various types, depending on the type of snack, its shelf life, and the brand's sustainability goals.
It can range from flexible packaging options like pouches and poly bags to rigid packaging options like paperboard boxes and plastic containers.
Sustainable packaging options like plant-based and recyclable packaging are also gaining popularity.
+ What are the 10 different types of packaging?
The ten different types of packaging include flexible packaging, rigid packaging, semi-rigid packaging, vacuum packaging, active packaging, intelligent packaging, sustainable packaging, protective packaging, convenience packaging, and portion control packaging.
+ What is the most common food packaging?
The most common food packaging is flexible packaging, particularly plastic. Plastic packaging, including bags, pouches, and films, is widely used due to its versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. It offers excellent barrier properties, protecting food from moisture, air, and light.
+ What are the most popular types of packaging?
The most popular types of packaging include flexible packaging (like plastic bags and pouches), rigid packaging (like glass jars and metal cans), and corrugated boxes. People prefer these for their versatility, protective qualities, and ease of transport.
+ What are the trends in food packaging?
Current trends in food packaging include sustainability, smart packaging, and convenience.
Sustainability involves using eco-friendly materials like biodegradable plastics and plant-based materials.
Smart packaging incorporates technology to improve functionality, such as freshness indicators and QR codes.
Convenience packaging focuses on easy-open, resealable, and portable designs.
+ What is the best packaging for ready to eat food?
The best packaging for ready-to-eat food is often a combination of flexible and rigid packaging. This could include a rigid plastic container with a flexible lidding film. Such packaging is sturdy, provides a good barrier against contaminants, and is often microwave-safe for easy reheating.
+ What is the most efficient packaging?
The most efficient packaging depends on the specific needs of the product. However, flexible packaging is often considered efficient due to its lightweight nature, which reduces transportation costs. It also requires less material to produce compared to rigid packaging, reducing resource consumption.
