Sustainable 3 Side Sealing Flat Pouch for Tea Bag Packaging
Matte three-side-seal flat pouch with pure aluminium foil and PE inner layer, 140 micron, for tea, coffee and snack brands needing light and moisture barrier.
What this pouch is
This is a three-side-seal flat pouch built from a matte film outer layer, a pure aluminium foil core and a PE inner sealing layer. The construction is 140 micron as standard, with thickness and dimensions customisable to your fill weight and filling line. The matte finish gives a soft, non-reflective surface that holds print well without glare.
The aluminium foil layer is the barrier. It blocks light and water vapour, which are the two main causes of stale tea leaves, oxidised coffee and soft snacks. The PE inner layer provides the heat-seal surface, so the pouch closes on standard impulse or constant-heat sealers. Because the pouch is flat before filling, it stores and ships efficiently and runs on horizontal form-fill-seal lines as well as manual packing benches.
Features and finishing options
The pouch is food-grade throughout, with a food-contact PE inner layer and no adhesive in the seal path. A tear notch is positioned on the top seal so the pouch opens cleanly by hand without scissors. The aluminium foil core also acts as a light and moisture barrier, keeping the contents dry and protected from UV during storage and transit.
Printing is high-definition, with clear reproduction of fine type, logos and images. The matte outer film accepts print without the shine that can wash out colours on gloss laminates. You can specify custom colours, sizes and thickness to match an existing pack or a new design. Common add-ons for this format include a zipper for resealability, a hang hole for retail peg display, a window to show the product, and a one-way degassing valve if you are packing roasted coffee. Spouts, carry handles and shaped die-cuts are also possible depending on the structure.
Minimum order quantities start at 100 pieces for digitally printed pouches and 10,000 pieces for rotogravure printing. Digital runs ship in 10-15 working days after artwork approval; rotogravure runs take 20-25 working days. Free stock pouch samples are available; you cover the courier cost.
Where it is used
The format suits dry, low-oil products that need light and moisture protection. Tea brands use it for loose leaf, tea bags and matcha. Coffee roasters use it for ground coffee and whole bean, often with a degassing valve. Snack producers pack nuts, dried fruit, trail mix, biscuits and confectionery. The flat three-side-seal shape is also common for single-serve sachets, sample packs and subscription inserts.
Typical fill sizes range from a few grams up to around 500 g, depending on the pouch dimensions you choose. The flat profile stacks neatly in cartons and displays well on shelf or in a counter unit. If you need a stand-up format instead, the same laminate can be converted into a stand-up pouch or a side gusset bag.
Filling, sealing and handling
Three-side-seal pouches run on horizontal form-fill-seal machines or can be pre-made and filled manually. Set your sealer to the temperature and dwell recommended for the PE inner layer; too much heat will distort the matte film, too little will leave channels. Keep the seal area clean of powder and tea dust, because contamination is the most common cause of leakers.
The aluminium foil core gives excellent light and moisture barrier, but it is not a recyclable mono-material. If recyclability is a priority, ask about mono-material PE or PP structures, which trade some barrier for easier end-of-life processing. Compostable PLA/PBS options are also available for dry goods with shorter shelf life. Choose the structure that matches your shelf-life target and your filling line, not just the headline material.
| Size | Customizable |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 140 micron (customizable) |
| Material | Matte film/pure aluminum/PE (customizable) |
| Color | Customizable |
| Product use | Tea bag/snack bag/coffee bag |
| MOQ | From 100 pcs (digital printing) / 10,000 pcs (gravure) |
| Lead time | 10–15 working days after artwork approval |
Typical applications
- 100 g loose leaf tea
- 250 g ground coffee
- 50 g matcha powder
- 200 g trail mix
- 150 g dried fruit
- single-serve tea sachets
- sample pack inserts
- 200 g biscuits
Frequently asked
Can this pouch be used for coffee with a degassing valve?
Yes. A one-way degassing valve can be added to release CO2 from roasted coffee while keeping oxygen out. The valve position and pouch dimensions need to be confirmed before printing, because the valve adds a small cost and a die-cut step. Lead time is the same as a standard digitally printed pouch, 10-15 working days after artwork approval.
What is the minimum order quantity for custom printing?
Digital printing starts at 100 pieces per design. Rotogravure printing starts at 10,000 pieces per design, which is more economical for large runs. If you are testing a new SKU, digital is the lower-risk route because you can order small volumes and still get custom artwork.
Is the pouch resealable after opening?
A zipper can be added to make the pouch resealable. Without a zipper, the tear notch gives a clean opening but the pouch is not reclosable. For tea and coffee, a zipper helps preserve aroma between uses, but it adds thickness to the top seal and may affect how the pouch sits in a filling machine.
How does the aluminium foil layer affect shelf life?
The pure aluminium foil core blocks light and water vapour, which are the main causes of staling in tea, coffee and dry snacks. It does not block oxygen by itself, so for oxygen-sensitive products you may need an oxygen absorber or a higher-barrier structure. Shelf life also depends on the product's initial moisture and the seal integrity, not just the film.
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