Manual Methods for Filling Stand Up Pouches

Numerous small brands start out by hand-filling stand-up pouches before moving to automated machinery. This is a great option for shorter production runs as they're still in testing or early packaging stages with smaller volume orders.

A funnel is one of the easiest tools used while manually filling, it directs granules/powders directly into the pouch opening, limiting spills and helping control the flow of product into the pouch. Wide mouth funnels are particularly useful when filling thick powders or chunky food products.

Scoops are also a common choice when filling bags with snacks, dried fruit or candy, as long as all the scoops are consistent in size to make sure that every pouch gets the same amount of product. Providing consistency aids in maintaining the professional look of the package and eliminates packages that have an uneven look.

To strictly follow the filling procedure, open the pouch slightly and expand the bottom gusset before adding product to give it more stability when filling and prevent collapsing once filled. Some operators will set the pouch in a simple stand or holder to keep it upright while filling it.

Always check the area that will be sealed before closing a pouch after manually filling it, if dust or crumbs from the product have fallen into the zipper or sealing area, cleaning that area will ensure the package will seal securely, protecting the product from spoilage.

Manual filling can be very successful and simple if done with care. See the complete resource on How to Fill Stand Up Pouches for a more detailed review of techniques, tools, and side by side comparisons of workflow improvements to get the best results from manually filling your standup pouch products.