With increasing health awareness and a demand for convenience, consumers now prefer packaging that is portable, precisely dosed, and easy to use. Stick pack packaging has emerged to meet these needs and is now widely used across the food, supplement, and pharmaceutical sectors, particularly for instant powders, nutritional products, medicinal powders, and supplements.
For procurement teams, understanding the stick pack process, material options, and relevant equipment, such as the AF2100 automatic filling machine, is essential for proper packaging planning and investment evaluation.
What Is Stick Pack Packaging?
Stick packs are narrow, single-dose packaging formats, typically containing 1–10g of product. They offer a slim and portable design for one-handed use and on-the-go consumption.
They provide excellent sealing integrity and consistent dosage, while being more material-efficient and compact than traditional three-side seal pouches. Stick packs are widely used for instant coffee, vitamin powders, children’s medicines, and health supplements.
They enhance perceived product quality and user experience, which is ideal for frequent use and mobile lifestyles.
How Stick Packs Are Made: Materials & Machinery
Stick packs are produced using fully automatic Form-Fill-Seal (FFS) systems. The process involves:
- Film feeding: Roll stock is fed into the machine.
- Forming: The film is folded vertically to create a narrow stick shape.
- Sealing & filling: The sides are sealed, and the pack is filled with powder or granules using accurate dosing systems.
- Cross sealing & cutting: Individual sticks are sealed and cut.
Common packaging materials include:
- PET/AL/PE: High barrier; suitable for powders and supplements.
- OPP/CPP: Cost-effective; suitable for general food products.
- Biodegradable film (e.g., PLA): Eco-friendly and aligns with sustainability goals.
The AF2100 automatic powder packaging machine is specifically designed for stick pack production. It supports roll stock feeding, in-line bag forming, and high-speed powder filling. Optional features include rounded corner cutting, nitrogen flushing, and date coding, which are widely used in both food and pharmaceutical applications.
What Are the Key Benefits of Stick Pack Packaging?
From streamlined production to enhanced consumer experience, stick packs deliver measurable benefits for both manufacturers and end-users. The five advantages that make stick packs packaging a competitive choice are:
Portability:
Their slim shape makes them easy to carry and use without mess or waste.
Dose Accuracy & Hygiene:
Each stick contains a fixed dose, which reduces usage errors and cross-contamination risks.
Material & Logistics Efficiency:
They require less material, offer better packaging density, and result in lower shipping and storage costs.
Fully Automated, High-Speed Production:
Machines like the AF2100 enable multiple stick pack lanes per line, maximizing output.
Enhanced Brand Perception:
The sleek stick design with high-quality printing boosts product appeal and consumer trust.
Best Use Cases for Stick Packs by Industry
Stick pack packaging is no longer limited to a single market—they have become a flexible packaging format adopted across food, supplements, pharmaceuticals, and more.
Each industry values them for different reasons, whether it’s convenience, dosing accuracy, or efficiency. Below are some of the best use cases by sector.
Food:
Suitable for instant coffee, sugar, and electrolyte powders. Benefits include being convenient to carry, having a fixed dose, and being user-friendly.
Supplements:
Recommended for vitamin powders, enzyme blends, and collagen. They offer a professional look, a single-serve format, and are easy for marketing.
Pharmaceuticals:
Ideal for herbal powders, pediatric medicine, and cough powder. They provide accurate dosing, high safety, and meet stability requirements.
Beauty & Cosmetics:
Can be used for powdered serums and skincare sample powders. They are visually attractive, low cost, and effective for promotional use.
Stick packs are highly accepted by consumers and improve product competitiveness and repeat purchases.
Is Stick Pack Packaging Right for Your Product?
Check the following five conditions to evaluate suitability and determine whether stick pack packaging aligns with your product requirements and production goals:
Product Form:
Stick packs are ideal for powder or granular products, especially those that are moisture-sensitive and require portion control.
Serving Size:
Stick pack packaging is perfect for small serving sizes of 1–10g.
Target Audience:
They are designed for mobile or active consumers, such as busy workers, children, athletes, and travelers.
Brand Identity:
They allow for customized printing and a premium look, which is important when brand identity and visual appeal matter.
Production Plan:
They work seamlessly with the AF2100 for efficient, consistent output if you are planning to automate production.
（Read more: Which Types of Packaging Materials Are Best for Your Product?）
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Not sure if stick pack packaging is the right choice for your product? Here are answers to the most common questions to help you make a confident decision.
Q1: Can stick packs be used for liquids?
A: Yes, but they require liquid-specific filling and sealing modules. For powders or granules, models like the AF2100 are ideal.
Q2: Are stick packs more cost-effective than traditional aluminum pouches?
A: Over long-term production, stick packs save on material, reduce space, and improve logistics efficiency, which makes them a cost-effective solution overall.
Q3: Is the AF2100 compatible with stick pack formats?
A: The AF2100 is specifically engineered for stick pack production. It supports roll stock, precise dosing, sealing, and cutting, making it perfect for small-dose food and pharmaceutical items.
Q4: Are stick packs suitable for brand promotion and samples?
A: Yes. Stick packs are highly suitable for brand promotion and samples because they are portable, cost-effective, and allow for attractive custom printing that enhances brand visibility.
Q5: Do stick packs extend product shelf life?
A: Yes. Stick packs can help extend product shelf life by providing strong sealing and barrier protection against moisture, air, and light.
Our Recommended Equipment for Stick Pack Applications
- AF2100 Automatic Powder Packaging Machine: Designed for stick pack formats, it supports high-speed packaging and various pouch styles. It is ideal for food and pharmaceutical batch production.
- AF100 Micro Dosing Machine: Suitable for 1–10g small-dose powder products. It is ideal for pilot production or high-value items.
- AF2000 Powder Dosing Machine: Compatible with various pouch styles, including aluminum and back-seal bags, to support diverse powder packaging needs.
Conclusion
Stick pack packaging has become an essential solution for brands looking to combine convenience, efficiency, and strong consumer appeal. By leveraging the right equipment, manufacturers can achieve consistent quality, reduce material usage, and enhance their overall production performance.
Contact us today to learn how the AF2100 can transform your packaging process. Request a catalog, send us your product samples, or schedule a test run—we’ll help you develop the most effective single-dose packaging solution for your brand.
Read more:
Packaging Materials for Food: 5 Reasons Packaging Matters Most
3 Pharmaceutical Packaging Types: How to Choose the Right One
Understanding 3 Different Types of Pouches: The Ultimate Guide