Fetched Co.
FLEXIBLE FILM PACKAGING POUCHES USING FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING
The option of a pillow pouch made using form fill seal machinery, gave Fetched Co the advantage of being able to light weight the pouches.
Packaging Design
Fetched Co. is a new business highlighting the need for convenience for today’s pet food owner. During the subscription service a carton of dog food can be ordered online and then delivered in perfectly portioned pouches that are convenient and easy to use. Smaller dogs might only need one pouch per day, which is perfectly easy to measure using the window on the side of the pouch which has an indicator pointing to the halfway mark. Whereas larger dogs, may need two pouches through the day, one in the morning and one in the evening. The artwork is very simple and elegant and represents both functionality (with the measuring indicator) and strong brand presence with the use of Pantone colours. Because the pouches are packed on a vertical form fill and seal machine, they were reverse printed using flexographic printing. We looked at both of the options of reverse printing and surface printing, and although heat proof inks are used as a surface print option, we decided to mitigate the risk of the ink lifting from the surface that we would go with the reverse printed option.
Packaging Functionality
This pouch was printed as rewind (roll stock) material, to then be used on a vertical form fill seal machine, meaning the bags are formed and filled at the same time on a packing line. Part of the packing line is the use of a crimp seal with a serrated edge to make it easy for consumers to tear the pouch open at the top. As mentioned above, the pouch is also functional with the measuring indicator.
Processing Innovation
Fetched Co weighed up the options of using retail style pouches (stand up pouches and flat bottom bags) versus using rewind on a vertical form fill seal machine. After weighing up the options, they believed that the packaging format of a form fill sealed pillow pouch was the easier way to go to allow for packing efficiency for online orders. The option of a pillow pouch made using form fill seal machinery, gave Fetched Co the advantage of being able to light weight the pouches. This is because they didn’t need the rigidity of film required for a retail style pouch. During discussions between Fetched Co, O F Packaging and the co packer, trials were established using different options of recyclable material to determine which was the most efficient option for both packing and printing. A trial was undertaken for both a laminated polyethylene to polyethylene option and also a BOPP/CPP trial (polypropylene), and the Polypropelene option offered easier tear ability, for customers who might struggle with dexterity issues. By running trials, we minimised the risk of wasting material that wasn’t going to achieve the desired result.
Sustainable Packaging Design Considerations
The specification of the lamination used for Fetched Co’s design is crafted from a single-polymer, making it easier to recycle and compatible with the Red Cycle program in Australia. This is because both layers of film are from the Polypropylene family and can be recycled together as a number five. This pouch was also manufactured in Australia, eliminating transportation emissions from overseas.