Coffee Packaging: Your Ultimate Guide

Whether you're a home roaster or a budding coffee entrepreneur, choosing the right coffee packaging is one of the first things you should think about.

There’s no point in putting effort into roasting the perfect batch if you can’t package the freshly roasted coffee beans properly.

This little guide will spill the beans on the best coffee packaging options, practical features, and everything you need to make your product look as good as it tastes.

Types Of Coffee Packaging

Selecting the right style of coffee packaging is like finding the perfect mug for your morning brew. There are plenty of options out there and what some swear, others don’t like as much.

While all of the options introduced in this guide work well for packaging freshly roasted coffee beans, it’s a matter of preference which one you’ll use.

Most of these options can come with a re-seal mechanism for customers who don’t want to invest in additional coffee storage containers.

Flat Bottom Bag

The flat-bottom bag is one of the classics. This storage bag has a flat bottom and vertical side gussets. It typically has one or two seals on the sides and top. 

Flat-bottom bags are sturdy and perfect for stacking on shelves, which makes them a great option for roasters who display their products in a store (or sell to stores). 

In addition, a flat-bottom bag's surface offers plenty of space for showcasing your brand and information about the coffee.

They're a great choice if you want a premium, eye-catching presentation.

Quad Seal Bag

Quad-seal bags are very similar to flat-bottom bags. The difference is that this bag has four vertical seals. This creates a rectangular shape with a stable base.

When the bag is filled, it stands upright like a box.

Like the flat-bottom bag, it looks excellent on a shelf and has lots of space for labels with information about your brand and your coffee. It usually feels a little bit more premium than a simply flat-bottom bag.

Stand Up Pouch

The stand-up pouch has a gusseted bottom that expands when filled, allowing it to stand upright.

This coffee packaging solution typically has a single vertical seal on the back and may have a zipper or other closure on the top. 

The stand-up pouch is a popular choice for subscription coffee businesses, as 250g of coffee in one of these pouches can easily fit through a letterbox.

These pouches are quite versatile and more flexible than flat-bottom or quad-seal bags.

Pillow Bags

The pillow bag is a no-frills coffee bag. It is a simple and cost-effective coffee packaging solution.

It is great for those starting on a budget or coffee roasters who are looking for a cheap bag for small coffee samples. 

It may not be the most flashy, but it gets the job done.

A pillow bag is basically a two-dimensional, rectangular shape with a single seal on the back.

It does not stand upright on its own and typically requires external support if you plan on displaying it in a store.

Coffee Packaging Features To Consider

Now that we had a look at the most popular bag shapes, let’s take a look at the details you should also consider.

Each of the bag types can come with a variety of features, and some of them are pretty important for storing coffee.

Degassing Valves

Freshly roasted coffee releases carbon dioxide. A degassing valve is a one-way valve that allows those gases to escape without letting oxygen back in. It's like a tiny burp for your beans, keeping your coffee fresh as a daisy. A degassing valve is something that should not be missing from the coffee packaging you choose.

Gas Flushing

Before sealing the bag, some coffee roasters replace the air inside with nitrogen. This creates a low-oxygen environment for your freshly roasted beans, further extending shelf life. While this is a smart choice for maximum freshness, it is obviously an additional expense for coffee packaging.

Top Seals

How your bag is sealed matters a lot, and you’ll need to invest in the appropriate equipment for that part of coffee packaging.

The most common method is heat sealing, in which heat is applied to melt a layer of plastic or foil, creating an airtight seal.

In addition to sealing, you can also offer re-sealable options, which will usually be very appreciated by many customers, e.g.: 

• Tin Ties are small, foldable strips of metal or plastic with adhesive backing that are glued to the bag after it's filled. The consumer folds the tin tie over to close the bag. While these are not completely airtight, they are a convenient resealing option.
• Zipper Seals: These resealable zippers offer a more airtight seal than tin ties and are becoming increasingly popular on coffee pouches.

Materials

What do you want your coffee bags to be made of?

Traditional materials for coffee packaging include foil-lined plastic for its protective properties.

However, with increasing awareness of sustainability, options like kraft paper and compostable materials are gaining popularity.

Your choice should reflect your brand values and what your customers want. If you're selling expensive specialty coffee, you should use quality packaging!

Pod Coffee Packaging

If you're looking at offering single-serve coffee pods, coffee packaging gets a little more technical. The right pod packaging must:

• Create a Proper Seal: Your pods need airtight seals to protect the coffee's flavor. You should definitely choose suppliers that specialize in this area to ensure the best coffee freshness.
• Food-Safe Materials: Coffee pods come into direct contact with hot water, so make sure your materials are approved for food use and won't release any unwanted chemicals into that delicious coffee.
• Compostable Options: A growing number of consumers are looking for ways to reduce their impact. Compostable pods (like those from Joe's Garage Coffee) offer a fantastic eco-friendly alternative. Offering compostable pods is a great thing to use in your marketing strategy.

Tin Cans

Tin cans are a blast from the past that's making a comeback! Tin cans provide an old-fashioned and airtight way to store your coffee. They offer a few unique advantages:

• Serious Protection: Tin cans are excellent barriers against light, moisture, and oxygen. These are good at preserving your coffee's freshness for a long time.
• Customizability: Tin cans offer great potential for unique and memorable designs (as shown by the fantastic designs available on Roastar).

Custom Coffee Packaging and Unique Coffee Packaging

If you want your coffee to shout your brand's name from the rooftops (or at least from the shelves of coffee shops or supermarkets), custom packaging is the way to go.

You don’t want your coffee bags to look the same as other brands (especially not like the cheap ones!).

 Here's why custom coffee packaging is worth considering:

• Make It Yours: With custom coffee bags (like those showcased on Roastar), you have full control over the design. Show off your logo, color scheme, and any unique branding elements that make your coffee special.
• Tell Your Story: Packaging is more than looks! Use your custom bag to highlight where your coffee comes from, share your roasting philosophy, or even add a touch of humor – let your brand personality shine through.
• Boost Customer Loyalty: Great packaging creates a memorable experience. It reinforces your brand and encourages customers to choose you time and time again. Just think of how easily recognizable designs by popular brands, like Starbucks, are. You want your own coffee brand to stand out like that, too.

Stock Bags

While custom bags are fantastic, not everyone needs them. If you’re a home roaster and budget-conscious, or you’re still in the early stages of your coffee business, then stock bags with your own label present a simpler, more affordable route:

• Quick and Easy: Stock bags are easily available, so you can order what you need without long lead times. Simply add your label, and you're ready to go!
• Perfect for Testing: If you're trying out a new roast or a limited edition, stock bags allow you to get your product to customers quickly without the commitment of custom printing a large number of bags.
• Cost-Effective: For those just starting out or home roasters, stock bags are a much friendlier option for your wallet.

Coffee Bag Labels

Whether you use stock bags or custom bags, labels are always important for coffee bean packaging. Your label is a vital part of your coffee's presentation, whether it's in your own store, in grocery stores, or in coffee shops.

Customers who are passionate about coffee really appreciate it when you tell them more about the coffee they are drinking (like origin, processing method, etc.).

Here's what to keep in mind:

Essential Information on a Coffee Bag

Include your brand name, the type of coffee (origin, roast type), weight, roast date (for ultimate freshness!), and any brewing tips.

Adding information about flavor notes is also always a good idea.

Coffee Bag Design Matters

Your coffee bag design should complement your overall branding and be easy to read. A cluttered label can overwhelm customers. Don’t use mini-fonts for coffee bag designs. It’s not a terms and conditions label. People actually want to read the info you provide.

Regulations about Coffee Packaging

Remember to abide by any food labeling regulations for your region. These usually include rules about including ingredient lists, nutritional information, and your business address on all coffee bags.

Coffee Packaging Conclusion

While it all may seem a little overwhelming at the start, choosing the right coffee bag is a very important step for all coffee roasters.

If you aren’t sure what you need, ask yourself the following questions:

• How much coffee am I selling? Stock bags may be better for smaller runs (unless you’re selling a very special, expensive, limited edition), while custom-printed coffee bags make sense for higher volumes, e.g., for the beans you’ll be selling constantly.
• What's my brand style? Does your coffee scream "premium and luxurious", or is it more about fun and approachability? Your coffee bags should reflect this.
• What are my customer's values? Eco-friendly options, like biodegradable materials, might resonate more with certain audiences.

Coffee packaging isn't a one-size-fits-all affair. But with the tips outlined in this guide, you'll find the perfect solution to protect your delicious roasted beans and make your brand stand out in a crowded marketplace. 

After all, great coffee deserves a coffee bag that protects it well, and maybe even stylishly!