How to Choose the Right Material for Your Custom Pouches
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Explore the pros, cons, and best uses for today’s most popular pouch materials
The custom pouch material you choose does a lot of heavy lifting. It protects your product, affects shelf life, and shapes how people see your brand.
At Avery, we focus on high-barrier films that keep food, supplements, and other lifestyle products fresh and secure. This quick guide covers what to think about, what materials we offer (and don’t), and how to pick the one that works best for your business.
What to consider when choosing pouch material
Product type
Is your product moisture-sensitive? Oil-based? Does it need to stay fresh for weeks or months? The answers will help narrow your custom pouch material choices.
Barrier protection
Barrier strength determines how well your pouch keeps out moisture, oxygen, and light—key factors for food, powders, and perishable goods. All Avery pouch materials are high-barrier and FDA-compliant for food contact. Learn more about FDA guidelines for food-contact packaging materials to ensure your packaging meets safety standards.
Printability and finish
Materials vary in how they handle printing, coatings, and embellishments. Some offer better support for bold colors or specialty finishes like matte, gloss, or spot varnish.
Sustainability
If you care about eco-friendly packaging, you’ll want to consider recyclability or compostability. But performance still matters—especially for products that need to stay fresh and secure.
High-barrier pouch materials
Avery custom pouch materials are built for real-world use—with the barrier protection, durability, and print quality small businesses need. We offer three premium materials, each designed to protect your product and enhance your branding.
White film
Clean, opaque and professional
- Blocks UV light for max protection
- Great for supplements and food
- Supports vibrant, full-color printing
- Available in gloss or matte finish
Clear film
Sleek and see-through
- Excellent barrier protection
- Show off product color and texture
- Ideal for snacks, gummies, lifestyle products
- Great for minimalist or window-style designs
Metallized film
Shiny, bold and protective
- Offers the highest level of barrier protection
- Preserves flavor and freshness for items like coffee or powders
- Strong shelf presence with a premium metallic look
- Works well with bold colors and high-contrast design
Thinking about kraft pouches?
Kraft and paper-based pouches have a natural, handmade vibe, but they’re not always practical.
The good
- Earthy, organic feel
- Lightweight and sometimes recyclable
- Fits artisan or eco-conscious branding
The trade-offs
- Not great with moisture, oils, or long shelf life
- Usually needs inner liners to be food-safe
- Doesn’t offer much barrier protection
We currently don’t offer kraft pouches, but our matte white film gives you a similar clean look—with better performance., modern alternative—especially when paired with matte finishes and minimalist design.
Pouch material comparison chart
| Material | Look & Feel | Barrier Protection | Best For | Product Visibility | Print Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Film | Opaque, clean; matte or gloss | Excellent | Food, supplements, pet treats | Product hidden | Bold, vibrant full-color |
| Clear Film | Transparent or semi-clear | Excellent | Gummies, snacks, lifestyle products | Full or partial visibility | Great with layered design |
| Metallized Film | Shiny, reflective metallic | Superior | Coffee, powders, moisture-sensitive items | Product hidden | High contrast, premium finish |
| Kraft/Paper | Natural, rustic, matte finish | Limited (unless lined) | Dry goods, handmade or organic items | Typically opaque | Moderate (depends on liner) |
Choosing the best fit for your product
Here are a few starting points:
- Snacks or pet treats → Clear or white film with resealable zipper
- Powdered supplements → Metallized film for long shelf life
- Gummies or edibles → Clear film to show product with strong seal
- Organic soaps or dry goods → White film for a kraft-style look without the trade-offs
Need to meet specific packaging regulations? All Avery films are FDA-compliant and printed using food-safe inks.
Ready to order your custom pouches?
Getting started is easy. Choose your size, select a material, upload your artwork, and we’ll handle the rest. Call our awesome U.S.-based Customer Care Team at (800) 942-8379 for expert guidance or visit avery.com.
