What’s Trending in Snack Packaging – A Flexible Approach

Over the past year, we’ve seen a sharp rise in enquiries for snack packaging. As a result more brands, start-ups, and established snack producers are looking for digitally printed flexible packaging (pouches, sachets and printed film) that works harder for their product.

This shift isn’t just about moving from rigid to flexible formats. Instead, it’s about the advantages that digital print brings to flexible packaging: agility, the ability to run multiple SKUs in a single order, fast turnarounds, and the flexibility to market-test products before committing to large volumes. In today’s competitive snack market, these benefits give brands a real edge.

Snack Packaging Market Growth

The numbers tell a clear story.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global snack packaging market was valued at USD 19.29 billion in 2023 and is set to grow steadily, with a healthy CAGR of around 4.77% through 2032. In fact, flexible packaging is leading much of that growth, thanks to its lighter weight, lower costs, and improved sustainability credentials compared to rigid formats.

The takeaway? Flexible packaging is now on equal footing with rigid packaging and in the snack sector, the trend is tilting further towards flex. Combine that with the benefits of digital print and you’ve got a packaging solution that’s faster, more adaptable, and more brand-friendly than ever.

Why Digitally Printed Flexible Packaging Is Winning in Snacks

• Agility and Speed
  Digital printing allows you to go from artwork to finished pack in days, not weeks. Perfect for new product launches, seasonal editions, or last-minute design changes.
• Multiple SKUs in One Run
  Run five flavours of crisps or three protein bar recipes – with no plate changes or extra set-up costs.
• Market Testing and Sampling
  Produce short runs for test markets, product samples, or trade shows without committing to huge print quantities. Adjust designs quickly based on real-world feedback.
• Standout Shelf Impact
  Full-surface, high-resolution digital print brings colours and designs to life. Add bold graphics, photographic imagery or metallic effects to create packs that stop shoppers in their tracks.
• More Room for Information
  Digital print makes it easy to add QR codes, promotions, ingredients, recipes, or brand storytelling alongside regulatory information all without compromising design.

The Best Packaging for Different Snacks and How Digital Print Elevates It

Choosing the right packaging format is about more than just product protection — it’s about how well your packaging works for production, branding, and the customer experience. With digitally printed flexible packaging, every format can be customised for design impact, fast turnarounds, and multiple SKUs without extra cost.

Finishes

Gloss is king for snacks – it’s eye-catching, vibrant, and perfect for younger audiences or brands wanting bold, bright shelf appeal. Soft touch, while premium in other markets, isn’t ideal here due to residue issues. Matt is safe but less striking; gloss delivers stronger brand impact in busy snack aisles.

We also offer paper printed film with or without a metallised layer, popular for brands wanting an eco-conscious aesthetic. However, while some Paper/PE materials are compostable, this doesn’t always mean they’re recyclable. Because of this, our mono-material range which is fully recyclable offers better overall sustainability – provided end-users actually recycle correctly. The right choice will depend on your brand values, customer habits, and product story.

Materials

Most snacks don’t require extreme barrier properties – but all our mono materials are tested to high barrier standards, so protection isn’t a concern. Material choice comes down to design goals.

Design matters a lot in the snack market. With so much competition, your packaging has to stand out. At BakPac, we can print high-quality pouches and printed film with room for flavour details, ingredients, and multiple SKUs – ideal for brands with several flavours or seasonal variations. Our sachets also make it easy to test new flavours before committing to larger runs.

Choosing the Best Packaging for Your Snack

Your product’s needs will help you decide:

• For long shelf life: our MONO range offers maximum barrier protection.
• For standout branding: full-surface printed film with custom finishes like gloss.
• For sustainability: recyclable mono-material films that still offer performance.
• For convenience: resealable pouches that travel well and fit into on-the-go lifestyles.

If you’re not sure which route is best, our team can guide you through the options and provide printed film samples for your product type.

Design Meets Function

Good snack packaging strikes a balance between looking great and performing well. As Packaging Tech Today points out, durability is just as important as visual appeal. Digitally printed flexible packaging delivers on both: it’s robust enough to protect delicate snacks, while allowing space for creativity and customisation.

And because digital print allows shorter runs with fast turnaround times, you can react quickly to trends – whether that’s a seasonal flavour, a promotional campaign, or a new product launch.

Final Thoughts

The snack market is growing fast, and the brands leading the way are choosing digitally printed flexible packaging for its speed, flexibility, and design freedom. From crisps and nuts to bars and jerky, it’s the smartest way to stand out, adapt, and get your products into customers’ hands quickly.