You’re facing a decision that will affect your entire cost structure: purchasing pre-formed bags or forming bags on the machine itself from a roll of film. Both approaches produce stand-up pouches, but the machines, personnel, and cost structure differ fundamentally. This guide outlines the seven criteria that are decisive in practice.
Criterion 1: Oral Presentation
A preformed bag such as a Doypack It is formed, glued, and printed offsite; all that remains on the machine is filling and sealing. As a result, the curves and the print are sharper than on a bag produced directly on the machine. For premium brands facing intense competition on the shelf, this is often the deciding factor.
Criterion 2: Output
A vertical form, fill, and seal machine forms, fills, and seals in a single continuous motion and produces 60 to 80 bags per minute. A line for preformed bags uses separate bag gripping and conveying mechanisms and typically operates at a rate of between 30 and 60 bags per minute. Above 100 bags per minute, the VFFS method is virtually the only realistic option.
Criterion 3: Format Change
On a VFFS machine, each new format requires a forming shoulder and a seaming set; a complete changeover takes 10 to 30 minutes. On a premade line, you often only need to change the grip width within the same bag family. If you run many small batches in succession, this offsets the loss in speed.
Criterion 4: Film Costs
A bag cut from the roll uses exactly the amount of film required for that size; the amount of material used per bag is less than with a pre-formed bag purchased off-site. You do, however, purchase a film roll contract instead of a stock of bags. You can find more details on the math behind this in the guide on film consumption.
Criterion 5: Operation and Knowledge
A premade line does not require film adjustment: the most challenging part of a VFFS machine is maintaining the correct temperature and pressure at the sealing track. If you have a limited number of technical staff, the simpler operation reduces your risk of downtime.
Criterion 6: Investment Structure
Without a price list, it’s fair to say that the costs shift: for preformed bags, they’re based on the per-unit cost of the bags; for VFFS, they’re based on film consumption and the slightly more demanding machine. Always compare quotes based on annual costs—machine, consumables, and maintenance combined—as described in how much a packaging machine costs.
Criterion 7: Sustainability
Mono-PE film is available on a roll: a single material, recyclable. Preformed bags are often multilayer to achieve a stand-up shape. If your target market is under pressure from the PPWR directive, that’s a factor to consider. You’ll find both options at sustainable packaging solutions.
| Criterion | Preformed bags | VFFS from a film roll |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 30 to 60 bags per minute | 60 to 80 bags per minute |
| Pocket Presentation | sharp printing, glued curves | printing on foil, seams visible |
| Film Costs | higher price per bag | lower material cost per bag |
| Format Change | quickly within the same family of bags | 10 to 30 minutes per size |
| Operation | simpler, no seal adjustment | requires knowledge of film and sealing processes |
| Sustainability | often multilayer | Mono-PE on a roll is available |
When "preformed" Doesn't Make Sense
If you’re running at over 80 bags per minute, bag presentation is a secondary consideration, or you want to use film as a way to reduce costs and improve recyclability, then the vertical line is the better choice. If, on the other hand, you’re aiming to stand out on the shelf with premium printing and your output remains manageable, then a packaging machine for preformed bags better suited to your goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a preformed bag always more expensive per piece?
Yes, per bag, almost always. The total cost can still be favorable because the machine is simpler and requires less expertise in film handling. Add up the costs of the machine, supplies, and labor for the year.
Q: Can a VFFS machine also make stand-up pouches?
Yes, with a filling bar or a specific shoulder shape, a VFFS machine can produce pillow-shaped bags that look reasonably good; however, it can’t achieve the tight, glued curve of a Doypack. For true shelf presentation, preformed bags remain the gold standard.
Q: Which route is suitable for about 40 bags per minute?
Both meet that requirement. In that case, let the packaging presentation and film management be the deciding factors: for a premium look, choose preformed packaging; for low consumption and a single material, choose VFFS.
Related pages
packaging machine for preformed bags | vertical form, fill, and seal machine | Doypack | VFFS or flow packer | format change
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