The Ultimate Guide to Coffee Packaging

For most coffee enthusiasts packaging is the charm on the flavorful beans: it’s what catches the buyers’ eyes, urging them to reach for that packet from the shelf to see details such as the brand name, place of origin and roast level.

For coffee brands, packaging is one way to distinguish yourself and show the market that your brand is special even before they take a cup of the brew to their mouths.

That being said, coffee packaging is more than just promoting your brand. Good packaging must serve its primary objective of protection and preservation, so we are going to look at all the essentials of great coffee packaging from functionality to style, design elements and regulations to comply with.

Essentials of great coffee packaging

Your coffee packaging philosophy is your brand’s biggest game-changer. Whether you supply online, in cafes or grocery stores, the right packaging will make your brand irresistible from the first glance and allow shoppers to enjoy the beans for a long time. Here’s a look at how to get your packaging right.

1. Functionality is key

When it comes to packaging fresh-roasted coffee beans, there are certain functionalities you want the bag or even pouch to have so that your product retains flavour and quality for a long period.

Roasted coffee beans release CO2 which must be allowed to escape to preserve flavor; at the same time, you need to avoid exposing the beans to air so that they retain aroma.

Simply, it means you need a bag/pouch with a one-way valve to expel CO2 and an airtight enclosure to keep the beans fresh for longer. With features like zippers or tin ties, coffee enthusiasts will be able to enjoy your coffee and reseal the package every time to preserve that fine quality you worked so hard to attain.

2. Style matters

Once you have narrowed down to the bags or pouches with desirable functionalities, it’s time to think about style. When it comes to coffee beans, the role of packaging simply surpasses the basics of protection and preservation.

As your silent salesman, it’s important for your packaging to promote your brand as well.  You can select from various styles such as flat bottom bags, stand up pouches, and gusseted bags.

Flat bottom pouches and bags

Flat bottom bags and pouches have a premium feel that appeals to upscale clientele and feature up to five sides for maximum branding but they often cost more. Flat pouches especially are the best for packaging one-time use coffee, especially sample packs supplied to hotels or travellers.

Stand-up pouches

On the other hand, stand-up pouches are more cost-effective and also have a great shelf-presence especially if you want to catch customers’ attention. That being said, most specialty coffee brands already love this so you’ll have to come up with more ways to stand out.

Gusseted bags

These bags feature extra materials, in the form of flats, on certain areas to make them roomier and more durable. If you would like to send a message that you are an old coffee brand, these are the types of bags for that purpose.

3. Select the right material.

When it comes to material, most brands opt between kraft and matte paper.  Kraft is cheaper and biodegradable but requires extra stamps and labels to not appear generic, especially to upscale clients.

On the other hand, matte comprises multiple layers for extra protection and lends itself well to artworks and customization elements including metallic and holographic features which appeals well to upscale customers.

However, matte paper often costs higher and you may not find a manufacturer that offers recyclable or green options. Nowadays sustainability branding is one thing to keep in mind when promoting products. Most consumers have shown that they are willing to reward businesses that prioritize environmental protection even if that means paying more for eco-friendly products.

4. Design elements matter

By design, we are talking about the information on your coffee bag/pouch as well as elements such as colors, images and illustrations. You want to whip up a design that works for you in terms of telling customers who you are, what you do, what your values are, as well as the name of your coffee, the origin, tasting notes, roast level and date.

You will need to add a logo, and website information and use colors that capture the right emotions in terms of making customers associate your brand with luxury, fantastic taste and even eco-friendly practices. The right design elements can help customers judge your coffee brand well even before they taste it.

5. Remember the local requirements

Finally, keep in mind local requirements for the display of product name, net volume, business address, roast date and such like things.  Every region has its own way of doing things so remember to comply with regulations so that your coffee won’t be blocked from the market after all the effort you’ve put into the roasting and packaging.

With that being said, we are certain you are ready to wow with a fantastic coffee packaging philosophy. We have a really great line of bags and pouches in many different colors, shapes, sizes, materials and affordable prices for you and even if you can’t find something ready-made, we are ready to work with you to design it according to your specification. Call us today to learn more about our custom print services.