Side Gusseted Bags

The Expandable Format

Side gusseted bags (also known as crimp bags) start life flat - a pillow pack with folded gussets tucked down each side. They ship flat, store flat, and take up minimal warehouse space. Fill them and the gussets expand outward, creating the depth and capacity to hold bulkier products while maintaining a slim profile on the shelf.

It’s the format you see for pet food, confectionery, dried foods, snacks - anything that needs more capacity than a flat bag can offer while still standing upright on shelf. The gussets give you volume without width, so products take up less shelf space while still holding substantial quantities.

We manufacture side gusseted bags here in the UK for food manufacturers, pet food producers, confectioners, and anyone else who needs the format with reliable supply and sensible lead times.

Pet Food and Treats

Pet food packaging needs to work hard. Heavy products that can weigh several kilograms, sharp kibble edges that can puncture thin films, and barrier requirements to keep food fresh through months of shelf life.

Side gusseted bags handle all of this. The gussets expand to accommodate the volume, laminate structures provide the puncture resistance and barrier properties needed, and the bags stand upright on shelf for retail presentation. We supply bags for dry pet food, treats, and supplements in sizes from small retail packs through to larger quantities.

Confectionery and Snacks

Sweets, fudge, toffee, chocolate, nuts, popcorn, crisps - products that need protecting from moisture and air while presenting well on shelf. Side gusseted bags give you the capacity for larger quantities with barrier properties that keep products fresh and crisp.

The expanded gussets mean four printable panels when the bag is filled - front, back, and both sides. More space for branding, ingredients, and the information customers need to make a buying decision.

For smaller confectionery items or products that don’t need the extra depth, see our back seal bags - the same pillow pack construction without the side gussets.

Dried Foods and Ingredients

Flour, sugar, rice, pasta, pulses, spices, dried fruit, granola - products that need keeping dry and protected from pests while looking good on retail shelves or in food service environments.

The format suits both consumer retail packs and larger catering quantities. Barrier laminates keep moisture out, the standing presentation works well for retail display, and the gusseted construction means bags can accommodate the weight without the seams failing.

Materials

BOPP (polypropylene) is our standard for applications needing clarity and good moisture barrier. Excellent print surface, cost-effective, and performs well for most ambient products.

Laminates for serious barrier requirements - coffee, pet food, and products needing extended shelf life. Multiple layers, each doing a specific job: structural strength, oxygen barrier, moisture barrier, heat seal layer. We work with various laminate structures depending on what your product needs.

CPP offers better puncture resistance than BOPP and performs well in cold environments. Worth considering for heavier products or sharp-edged contents.

LDPE is softer and more flexible, conforming to contents and providing good puncture resistance.

Biodegradable BOPP performs like standard BOPP during use, but is both recyclable through existing streams and biodegradable if it escapes into the environment.

For compostable requirements, we also offer PLA and NatureFlex.

Sizes and Gussets

We manufacture bags from 65mm to 400mm wide, with lengths up to 1000mm. Gusset depths range from 10mm to 150mm depending on bag dimensions and how much expansion you need.

The gusset depth determines how much the bag expands when filled. Deeper gussets mean more capacity but also a wider footprint on shelf. We can advise on the right balance for your product and packaging line.

Beyond Food

Side gusseted bags work just as well for non-food products. Dried flowers, potpourri, bath salts, craft supplies - anything that benefits from the standing presentation and expandable capacity.

UK Supply, Sorted Documentation

We convert here in the UK, which means 3-4 week lead times rather than months waiting for containers. For food manufacturers and coffee roasters with unpredictable demand, that responsiveness matters.

We’re a family-owned converter with four decades in flexible packaging, BRCGS AA(*) accredited with full batch traceability. Food contact compliance certificates, specification sheets, PPT documentation - delivered when you need it, not after repeated chasing.

Custom printing up to 10 colours for retail presentation.