Custom printed

Side Gusset Bag

Side gusset pouches have expandable panels on each side and a vertical back seal. They are supplied flat and expand as they are filled. As contents settle, the bottom can fold to create a standing footprint. This format is well suited to products that benefit from a higher-capacity pouch and a wide filling opening. Coffee is a popular application, but suitability should be confirmed against the chosen material structure, product characteristics and filling process. Side gusset pouches are available as ready-made stock and as bespoke printed packaging. Depending on the selected specification, they can be considered for dry, moist, aqueous, acidic and fatty foodstuffs.

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Key features

Ready-made stock and bespoke printed options
Expanding side gussets for increased capacity
Back seal construction
Wide top opening for filling
Heat-sealable subject to validation on your equipment
No standard resealable zip
Tin tie, clip or peg reclosure option
Optional degassing valve for suitable coffee applications
Stock pouches can be branded with labels, toppers, belly bands and suitable closure options
Suitable for food contact applications, subject to suitability checks
Bespoke print across front, back and gusset panels
Bespoke size, material, barrier and finish options

Typical applications

Typical uses

Coffee beans and ground coffee
Tea, cereal, granola and baking ingredients
Pet food and pet treats
Confectionery, snacks and nuts
Moist or wet food products where the pouch material, seals and filling process have been specified and approved
Non-food products where compatible with the selected packaging structure

Custom printing or branded stock?

Consideration	Custom printed Side Gusset Bag	Ready-made Side Gusset Bag with added branding
Branding	A coordinated design across front, back and side gussets.	Labels, header cards, bag toppers or belly bands added to a stock bag.
Product information	Use gussets for instructions, product information or a brand story, alongside the main front/back design.	Applied labels or cards provide the information; positioning should allow the gussets to expand.
Size and capacity	Specify bag height, width and gusset depth around the product and intended fill.	Select an available stock size and confirm the filled shape and capacity.
Coffee features	Agree a suitable valve and available tin-tie options during specification.	Choose a stock bag with the required existing valve and suitable closure arrangement.
Opening and reclosure	Wide filling opening, heat-seal closure and optional tin-tie reclosure; not a zipped format.	The same construction principle applies; clips, pegs or suitable tin ties can provide reclosure.
Packing workflow	Printed artwork removes the need to apply the main branding individually.	Add labels or components separately, allowing more flexibility between products.
Best suited to	Defined coffee ranges, repeat larger-volume packs and coordinated gusset artwork.	Trials, smaller runs and ranges using a shared standard bag with changing labels.

Side Gusset FAQs

Are side gusset pouches available from stock?

Yes. Ready-made Side Gusset Pouches are available, along with bespoke printed options. The pouch is supplied flat, with expandable side gussets that open as it is filled.

Stock Side Gusset Pouches can be branded using labels, bag toppers, header cards or belly bands. Bespoke printed options can be developed around your selected dimensions, material structure, finish and available features.

Can a side gusset pouch stand upright?

When filled, the bottom of a side gusset pouch can fold out to create a standing footprint. Its stability depends on the pouch size, fill weight, product characteristics and how evenly the product settles.

For a more structured, consistently flat shelf base, consider a Flat Bottom Pouch.

Why does a Side Gusset Pouch not usually have a resealable zip?

A Side Gusset Pouch is formed from folded film with a single centre back seal running vertically from top to bottom. It does not have the separate side-seal construction normally used to incorporate a resealable zip.

Stand Up Pouches and Flat Bottom Pouches are formed with side seals that can accommodate a resealable zip. Side Gusset Pouches are therefore usually filled and heat sealed closed, then reclosed by the customer using a tin tie, clip or peg where appropriate

Is a Side Gusset bag the same as a flat bottom or box bottom pouch?

No. Although both formats can stand upright when filled, they are constructed differently.

A Side Gusset Pouch is made from folded film with one centre back seal. Its side gussets expand when filled and the base folds out to create a standing footprint. It does not normally have the side-seal construction needed to incorporate a resealable zip.

A Flat Bottom Pouch, also known as a block bottom or box bottom pouch, has an expanding flat base and side gussets. Its construction uses sealed edges around the pouch panels, creating a more structured, box-like shape and allowing a resealable zip to be included where required.

Can I use a tin tie to reclose the pouch?

Yes. A tin tie can be used to fold and reclose the top of a suitable Side Gusset Pouch after opening. Colour-matched tin ties may be available for bespoke packaging, subject to the final specification.

Can I brand stock side gusset pouches with labels, toppers or belly bands?

Yes. Ready-made Side Gusset bags can be branded by applying labels, header cards, bag toppers or belly bands. This can be a useful option for smaller runs, market testing, seasonal ranges, product variants or information that may change regularly.

Can these pouches be printed on?

Ready-made pouches are not overprinted or printed onto after manufacture. If you want to brand ready-made stock, suitable pouches can be personalised using labels, header cards, bag toppers or belly bands.

For bespoke printed packaging, the pouch is made to order. Your approved artwork is printed onto the selected packaging film before the film is converted into the finished pouch. This allows the pouch size, material structure, finish and available features to be developed around your product and brand.

Get In Touch with us discuss custom printed pouches or Get a Quote.

Is this pouch suitable for food packaging?

Side gusset pouches are suitable for food-contact packaging, subject to the chosen material and intended use. Please confirm compatibility with your product, filling process, storage conditions and required shelf life before use.

Can pouches be heat sealed?

Yes. Side gusset pouches can be heat sealed after filling. Seal settings and results depend on your equipment, product, temperature, dwell time, pressure and production conditions. Please test the pouch with your product before commercial use.

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