Why Box-Style Pouches are the Becoming the Packaging of Choice for Premium Brands

Today’s premium aisles are crowded with brands angling for improved positioning and impact. There’s one packaging style that delivers on all three: the box-style pouch (sometimes called “flat-bottom” or “box-bottom” bags). 

Over the years you may have seen this packaging used in pet food applications, but as consumers grow more sophisticated it’s become popular in many premium markets. Walk through any upscale grocery store and you’ll see it’s gaining traction among gourmet snack, artisanal coffee, and wellness supplement brands in addition to the specialty pet treats offerings. With its modern lines, upright structure, and expansive branding canvas, it’s easy to understand why. 

Get creative with your brand story.

One of the key strengths of the box-style pouch is real estate. More than real estate — versatile real estate. With five printable panels, you can create a 360-degree brand experience that works on the physical or virtual shelf. 

• Front and back panels showcase your primary brand narrative and hero imagery.

• Side gussets provide ample space for nutrition information, ingredient details, and extended brand storytelling. 

• Bottom panel offers a surprise and delight brand moment when packaging is stacked or handled. 

Plus, a range of materials and finishes like soft-touch matte, high-gloss, or foil embellishments mean there are countless ways to express and elevate your brand experience. Clear side panels can showcase product texture and quality, dual-material constructions provide contrast and differentiation, and standardized panels across flavors and product lines can deliver efficiency while maintaining brand impact. 

This flexibility and room for customization gives you plenty of options to position your products even when competing against other box-style pouches on the shelf. 

Function that favors your product. 

Functionality, of course, is just as critical as the look and feel. The box-style pouch literally stands up to the challenge. The flat bottom keeps the package upright in the store and at home — even better than a traditional gusseted stand-up pouch. Retailers love this feature for its shelf efficiency and clean presentation while brands love that their product experience never falls flat. 

Versatility is also a consideration when it comes to functionality. It’s one of the reasons this style of packaging is making inroads across a multitude of premium markets. It can be equipped with powder-proof zippers, valves, tear notches, resealable closures, and a number of other special features designed to protect the integrity and usability of your product. 

These pouches also function well in manufacturing processes. They can typically run on standard rotary bag fillers and don’t require specialized equipment. 

From commodity to coveted.

One surprising advantage of the format is its ability to premiumize commodity products. Salt, flour, kibble, coffee — can all stand out and command a higher price when presented in a sleek, well-printed box-style pouch. Even for consumers who have long reached for the lower-priced items as they stock their standards, the right packaging can capture their attention and dollars. 

Startups and growing brands can take a cue from this strategy as they seek to break into markets with unknown products. Aligning packaging with a good-better-best brand architecture by opting to stock top-tier products in a box-style pouch can instantly signal value and strengthen perception right out of the gate. 

The sustainability factor.

This packaging isn’t automatically more sustainable than other formats. It’s important to know the facts as you consider the role you expect sustainability to play in your premium packaging. For brands prioritizing environmental responsibility, the key is material selection. Box-style pouches can be produced with recyclable films or post-consumer recycled content to align with your sustainability goals. 

Should your brand think inside the box? 

Like any packaging consideration, box-style pouches aren’t the perfect solution for every product. As we help clients determine whether or not the format is right for their strategy, a few key questions guide the conversation:

• Margins and pricing power: Does your product/market support premium pricing?

• Retailer requirements: Will the format garner better placement? 

• Category norms: Will a move to box-style pouch help you stand out on the shelf? 

As a strategic partner, your packaging provider should be able to help you navigate these questions. At Belmark, we bring deep expertise and myriad options to ensure clients implement packaging that’s right for their product. This is especially important when making an investment in premium packaging that’s expected to elevate your brand presence, value, and story.