Begin with the retailer’s fixture
Ask whether the pouch will hang from a peg through a hole, sit in a clip, or stand on a shelf. These are different display arrangements. Obtain the fixture drawing or a representative fixture, its identification, the retailer’s placement instructions and the intended filled weight.
For a peg, ask for the dimensions and shape of the part that passes through the pouch, including any end feature. For a clip, identify the area it grips and what the retailer expects when a shopper removes the pack. Do not select a hole from a product photograph alone.
A stock-pouch example from IMPAK includes a round display hole, zipper and tear notches. That specific configuration shows features that can coexist; it does not establish a universal header layout or a PM Packaging load rating.
Put all header features on the same drawing
Create an annotated layout showing the intended hole or clip position, finished top edge, seal area, tear route, zipper and critical artwork. Ask the pouch supplier which areas must remain clear for the selected construction and converting process; do not invent one clearance value for all bags.
Include the usable opening after the consumer removes the header. A drawing can look balanced while the tear path leaves an awkward opening or interferes with reclosure. Review the whole opening sequence, including the filled pouch shape, rather than approving each feature in isolation.
| Layout item | Question to resolve before artwork approval |
|---|---|
| Fixture interface | Does the selected fixture fit and release the package as intended? |
| Header and top seal | Does the attachment arrangement preserve the agreed seal and usable header? |
| Tear path and zipper | Can the consumer open the package and use the remaining closure? |
| Front and back copy | What is covered by the fixture, adjacent packs or the removed header? |
| Filled presentation | Does the intended fill change the visible layout or interfere with neighboring packs? |
This is a project layout checklist, not a structural acceptance standard. The final dimensions and performance requirements need agreement for the actual pouch, fixture and fill.
Record display and opening as separate observations
Use representative filled samples and the intended fixture to plan the review. Agree the conditions, duration and sample quantity with the retailer or project owner. There is no universal hang-time or load limit established by this worksheet.
| Record | Capture for each sample |
|---|---|
| Identity | Pouch drawing revision, structure, fixture ID and filled weight |
| Display observation | Position, distortion or damage observed under the agreed conditions |
| Removal and return | How the pouch comes off and, if required, goes back on the fixture |
| Opening observation | Tear behavior, remaining mouth access and zipper use |
| Disposition | Accepted, revised or held; named approver and evidence reference |
If the header is revised, check the affected artwork and opening features again. A successful hanging observation does not replace distribution qualification; a transport result does not prove that the retail display works. Keep those decisions separate.
Keep useful information visible
Review the pack in its intended shelf position and alongside adjacent packages. Ask the brand to confirm that its chosen product identification and approved copy remain readable in that presentation. If the header will be removed, agree which information needs to remain on the pouch after opening.
Avoid moving approved copy into a seal, fold or cut area just to fit the hole. Return any required wording or placement change to the brand’s responsible reviewer before releasing print files.
Request a project-specific pouch review
PM Packaging can evaluate technically appropriate hang holes and qualified pouch formats for pet-food and treat packaging. Send the fixture details, filled weight, product information, pouch drawing, artwork and display requirements. The review should establish the proposed layout and sample plan rather than promise a universal “retail-ready” result.
See the pouch-accessory guide for broader feature choices and the pet-food packaging guide for format and material decisions.
General educational information only. Materials, performance, compliance, claims, quantities, and timing require confirmation for the exact packaging project.