Things You Should Know About 3 Side Seal Pouches

The 3-side seal pouches are one of the most popular mylar packaging solutions. For a layman, it’s just a three-edge pouch, and that’s it. But there’s something more that it features. Here in this blog, we’ll discuss those critical aspects and uncover the things you must know about these pouches. So, let’s read on.

Selection of Materials

To develop durable pouches, the material selection counts a lot as it determines the strength of the bag. It can be paper-based, which is a sustainable and eco-friendly option. While it can also be the PET-based materials, which are known for being robust and flexible in nature. Some of the dependable materials for 3 seal pouches include:

• Kraft Paper
• Nylon or EVOH
• Polyester (PET or OPP)
• Polyethylene (PE or CPP)
• Aluminum foil or Metallized film

Process of Crafting 3-Side Sealing Bags

The three-sided sealed mylar bags come into existence by folding a single-layer web of film in half. While the bottom or top side is pressed either via a hot-sealing mechanism or ultrasonic sealing, allowing the upper side to be opened for filling of content.

At this stage, the pouches are ready to use and are functional by all means. Yet, they’re further enhanced by printing branding elements or applying appealing coatings that turn the simple pouches into a marketing tool.

However, they’re punched with hydraulic-powered blades to develop hooks, hanging holes, tear notches, rounded corners, and handles. That’s how the functionality of these pouches is upgraded and offers a reliable solution.

Filling Process of 3-Side Sealing Pouches

Once the pouches are crafted, they can be used to pack the contents inside them. The process of filling these bags is done by bulky machinery at the manufacturing plants featuring conveyor belts powered by rotors. The pouches are inserted into the machine’s input section, which moves them alongside and lets the filling nozzles pour the contents inside them.

Cons of 3 Side Seal Pouches No One Talks About

Alongside the popular benefits of the 3-seal bags, below are some of their disadvantages, which are often neglected or kept in the dark, such as:

Triangle of Death

The design of the pouch is its major drawback, as the intersection is a weak point because of manufacturing limitations. The spot is hard to heat-seal properly, which can cause micro-leaks, leading to a waste of the entire liquid content. Or if it’s solid or powdered content, its freshness may get compromised.

Beautiful Till First Opening

Since the 3-side seal pouches are ideal for single-use purposes, those who want to use them further may not find them helpful at all. The unique 3 corner style may appeal on the shelves, but as soon as it gets torn, its aesthetics are gone. If the content isn’t utilized on the spot, there’s no way to pack it again in the same pouch.

Not Suitable with All Finishes

While mylar pouches can be coated with multiple finishes to enhance the hands-on appeal. Yet, with the 3 side seal pouches with logo, that’s not the case here. When someone grabs the pouch in their hand, within seconds the material catches the fingerprints, and if the hands are a bit greasy or unwashed, the content sticks to the surface. That’s how it ruins the aesthetics and can reduce the first impression on the retail spaces.

Environmental Impact

Unfortunately, these pouches can’t be recycled just like kraft or pure plastic-based packaging solutions. The post-consumer processing of the bags makes it harder to reuse the material due to its non-recyclability, and eventually increases landfill waste. So, it’s not an ideal choice for a brand that prioritizes an eco-conscious approach across all aspects of its branding.

Wide-Spread Application of 3-Seal Pouches

Since the material of the pouches features maximum resistance to the external environmental factors, its usage is compatible with it. For instance, the most common industries using these pouches are:

• Snack foods such as potato chips, crackers, nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate bars, etc.
• Confectionery items such as baked snacks, candies, and much more.
• Instant powders or mixer content such as coffee, tea, spices, and seasonings.
• Condiments that can be one-time use sachets or pouches for salad dressings, oils, and flavorful blends.
• Frozen goods that may include vegetables, fruits, or seafood.
• Bakery & cereal items like breakfasts, granola bars, cookies, and more.
• Pharmaceutical products ranging from single-dose items to vitamins, supplements, or even ointments are to be packaged in a user-friendly manner. 

The Bottom Line

All in all, we hope you’re equipped with useful information that can help you determine whether the wholesale 3 side seal pouch is fit for your packaging needs or not. Since each product demands a specific environment to sustain its freshness and quality, the selection of these pouches can only be confirmed once the product is presented to the packaging expert