The Roaster’s Guide to Coffee Packaging Business

Uyên Phương

2 years ago

The Roaster’s Guide to Coffee Packaging Business: The roaster’s guide to the coffee packaging business: No matter how good your coffee tastes or how masterfully you roast your beans, customers will never know that unless they pick up a bag of your product.

The design of your coffee packaging should grab a customer’s attention and convince them to buy and enjoy your coffee — all while keeping your coffee fresh. Read on to learn how to design and produce the most-effective coffee packaging business.

Main Contents

The top packaging options you should consider

Flat-Bottom Bags

With all its sides sealed and a flat bottom, this type of package can stand up on its own for easy display. It also comes with the option of adding a resealing zipper, a fold with a tin tie, or a sticker to keep the bag closed.

Side-Fold Pouches

This is the cheapest option, featuring folded sides and a top seal you can fold over and seal with a tin tie. While this package doesn’t stand up very well, it provides classic style with a sleek, minimalist look.

Quad-Seal Bags

While similar to side-fold pouches, this type of package has a more rectangular look due to the seals on each side. As a result, these bags allow for the addition of a resealing zipper.

Doypacks

This package stands up straight on an oval bottom, making it an excellent option for in-store displays. With an artisan, small-batch look, these bags tell customers the product within is worth the price.

These packages cost a bit more than the other types but come with the option of adding a resealing zipper — a popular feature among consumers.

Essential Information to Display on Your Packaging

What you display on your coffee packaging will represent your business, its values, and the quality of your product. From certifications to the country of origin, every word matters. Here’s a list of the critical information you should include on your coffee packaging:

Roast

Consumers usually look for this detail first. Why? Because roast level impacts the flavour of coffee and many people have a strong loyalty to their preferred roast.

Origin

The origin of your coffee represents another important detail because most consumers want to know if coffee is a single origin or a blend. Make sure you name the country that produces your coffee and the specific region it’s from within that country.

Processing Method

Including the method used to process your coffee gives customers insights into what tasting notes to expect. For example, coffee beans processed using the natural method typically have brighter tasting notes than those processed with the washed way.

For customers who don’t know much about coffee but want to learn more, this information can provide an introduction to the world of coffee and how it has become the beverage they love.

Grower Information

If your business has a relationship with the farm(s) from which you source your coffee, include this information for transparency. Many consumers also enjoy knowing more about the source of the speciality products they buy.

That makes certifications — often a big selling point for customers — another important detail about your producer(s) to feature on your packaging.

Brewing Recommendations

Showcasing your recommended brewing style can encourage customers to buy your product by giving them all the tools they need to enjoy your coffee.

Whether you suggest using a drip coffee maker, a French press, or a manual brew method, including this information also provides quality control by ensuring customers will taste your coffee as intended.

Flavour Notes

Highlighting your coffee’s flavour notes will help customers understand how it will taste before they make a purchase. Aim to include two or three tasting notes and, if applicable, details on your coffee’s mouthfeel, body, and acidity.

Bag Design that Captures Customer’s Attention

Your packaging decisions lead you to the final step: the design.

The bag design must accomplish several objectives:

Capture the customer’s attention in‑store and online
Align with your brand standards and mission
Convince the customer to purchase your coffee

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, Shorr Packaging Corp discovered that almost half of customers had purchased products they were previously unfamiliar with solely due to packaging design and copy.

Some of the successful coffee packaging design trends we’ve seen recently are story-driven packaging, organic elements, typography-led design, and holograph effect packaging.

As you design your coffee bags, consider the following:

Product Placement

Will your bag be sold in retail or grocery stores? If so, it needs to stand out from the competition. Use colours, illustrations, and shapes that align with your brand but also catch the eye of passersby.

Colour Psychology

As humans, we associate colours with certain principles or meanings. For instance, when we see green product packaging, we think of all‑natural, eco‑friendly, recyclable, and even healthy eating. Think about what colours will resonate with your target market and communicate your brand message.

Brand Image

Whether you choose a striking look or a minimalist design, it must be true to your brand image. Customers will be able to see through the fluff and gimmicks! Don’t force a plan that doesn’t make sense for your brand to be “trendy.”

In the end, the slick design will win over customers at first. But it’s not a moat to build a business on. Make sure to infuse your design with mission, narrative, and values to give those first‑time customers a compelling reason to choose you a second time.