Question 1

Setup your Pouch design in Adobe Illustrator

Accepted Answer

In this guide, we'll walk through the steps you need to take in Adobe Illustrator to ensure your design file is perfectly read by our system so your design is printed with the highest possible integrity.

Set up your Adobe Illustrator (AI) artboard size. Get downloadable templates.

Using our Standard Sizes

| Stand Up Pouches | Imperial Unit Size | Metric Unit Size | | ---- | | Extra Small | 11.5” W x 3.5” HBleed Left & Right = .197” ea.Bleed Top & Bottom = 0 | 292.1 mm W x 88.9 HBleed Left & Right = 5mm ea.Bleed Top & Bottom = 0 | | Small | 14" W x 4" HBleed Left & Right = .197” ea.Bleed Top & Bottom = 0 | 304.7 mm W x 102 HBleed Left & Right = 5mm ea.Bleed Top & Bottom = 0 | | Medium | 15.5” W x” 6.5” HBleed Left & Right = .197” ea.Bleed Top & Bottom = 0 | 393.7mm W x 127 mm HBleed Left & Right = 5mm ea.Bleed Top & Bottom = 0 | | Large | 18.5” W x 6.5” HBleed Left & Right = .197” ea.Bleed Top & Bottom = 0 | 469.9 mm W x 165.1 mm HBleed Left & Right = 10mmBleed Top & Bottom = 0 | | Extra Large | 26” W x 6.5” HBleed Left & Right = .197” ea.Bleed Top & Bottom = 0 | 678 mm W x 254 mm HBleed Left & Right = 10mmBleed Top & Bottom = 0 | | Flat Pouches | Imperial Unit Size | Metric Unit Size | | Small | 10” W x 3.14” HBleed Left & Right = .197” ea.Bleed Top & Bottom = 0 | 254 mm W x 79.76 mm HBleed Left & Right = 5mm ea.Bleed Top & Bot

Question 2

What types of materials / substrates are offered? What are their differences?

Accepted Answer

All of our biofilm materials are biodegradable with either a certified home or industrial compostability rating.

The shelf life of our materials is comparable to other alternative flexible packaging offerings assuming they are stored in a dry, room-temperature environment. If you are uncertain, we recommend testing with your product to determine if it fits your shelf life needs.

Compostable Materials:

White - A durable option that protects against moisture, light, and oxygen, with strong puncture resistance. The solid white outer layer makes designs pop with bright, bold color.

Thickness: 4.0 mil
Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate (MVTR): 0.565 g/100in²/day
Oxygen Transfer Rate (OTR): 0.019 cc/100in²/day
Home Compostable Certified material Technical Data Sheet

Clear - A transparent option that offers good protection against moisture and oxygen. Perfect for showcasing your product with window designs. See design instructions here

Thickness: 3.9 mil
Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate (MVTR): 1.3 g/100in²/day
Oxygen Transfer Rate (OTR): 0.065 cc/100in²/day
Home Compostable Certified material Technical Data Sheet${color}[#0000ee]( )

Metallized - Provides solid protection from moisture, light, and oxygen, with strong puncture resistance. The met

Question 3

What conditions are needed for the bags to biodegrade?

Accepted Answer

In order for the degradation process to begin for our bags, a few conditions need to be met, there needs to be:

Moisture
Sunlight / Air
Heat
Microbes

The moisture, light, and heat provide the conditions for the microbes to flourish and do the work of breaking the material down into increasingly smaller pieces. The microbes are really the workhorses of this aerobic process. For more information on the required conditions, you can refer to this Composting How To guide

Question 4

Can I say my packages are compostable?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You CAN label your pouches as “compostable” or “100% compostable”. This step will let your customers know that your packaging is helping rid the world of single-use plastics.

However, we do NOT recommend that your pouches be labeled “certified compostable”.

Our materials (made from combinations of corn, cassava, wood pulp, and beetroot) carry either a home or industrial compostability rating and meet ASTM D6400 standards. Each component has been individually certified compostable.

Keep in mind that several states and municipalities have stringent regulations for claiming specific certifications on package labeling and often require independent, third-party certifications.

These processes require that any change made to the size, ink coverage or design of the pouch will result in a new certification being needed.

We are working diligently with our partners to obtain additional third-party certifications for our products that would allow our customers the ability to use industry-recognized certified compostable labels, logos, and marks on their pouches. We will update this FAQ as we have more information to share.

Question 5

What is the turnaround time on packages?

Accepted Answer

For orders of 10,000 pouches or less, packages are typically produced and ready to ship within 10 business days of artwork approval.

For orders of more than 10,000 pouches, packages are typically produced and ready to ship in 20 business days.

Lead times may occasionally be affected by film availability. We maintain safety stock to minimize disruptions and will communicate proactively if your order is impacted.

The delivery time is determined by the shipping option you choose during the online order process.

Question 6

Can your packages be frozen?

Accepted Answer

Yes!

Our bags are certified by the FDA for use of food storage at room temperature, refrigerated temps, and frozen temperatures as long as there is no 'thermal treatment in the container'. But they are not certified for cooking food in them.

For more detailed information, if you really want to get into the nitty-gritty, here's the legal language for this: "FDA: The contact layer film of the listed products are in compliance with 21 CFR 177.1520(c)2.1 and 3.2, 21 CFR 177.1350 and 178.3 297 and may be used in contact with all food types defined in Table 1 of 21 CFR 176.170(c) at conditions of use E - G as defined in Table 2 of 21 CFR 176.170(c)" - the link to the FDA doc about storage temperature is table 2 of this:https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=176.170

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