Quad seal pouches are a traditional yet highly effective packaging solution for specialty coffee roasters thanks to their versatility, rigid structure, and ample space for branding.
While best suited to roasters shipping large quantities of coffee, their attractive design and slim profile also make them a popular choice for attracting attention on the shelf.
Read on to find out about the benefits of quad seal pouches for coffee packaging, and why specialty roasters should consider using them to store their coffee.
See also: A Complete Guide To Flat Bottom Coffee Pouches
What Is A Quad Seal Pouch?
The quad seal pouch, also known as a block bottom, flat bottom, or box pouch, comprises five panels with four vertical seals.
When full, the bottom seal flattens out completely into a rectangle, providing a stable, rigid structure that prevents the coffee from being easily knocked over. Whether on the shelf or in transit, they hold their shape well thanks to their sturdy design.
Graphics can be printed on the gussets as well as the front and back panels, offering roasters even more space for attracting customers. This is advantageous when storing large quantities of coffee, which involves closing the bottom via a fold-under flap and displaying the bagged product lying face-up, as at least one side will always be visible.
Corina Ye is Senior Account Manager at MTPak Coffee. She tells me that quad seal pouches are essentially “a variant on side gusset bags”, the difference being that with quad seals the gussets are sealed in pairs.
This means that when specialty coffee roasters receive quad seal bags, they’re sealed at all four ends, with one side left open for filling with coffee. Once the coffee has been added to the pouch, it is heat sealed to stop oxygen entering and causing the coffee to become stale.
They can be equipped with consumer convenience features, such as an easy-opening zipper, as well as a zip-lock, among other options.
Extended Branding Space
One of the best forms of advertising for your coffee is its packaging. Good packaging will stand out from the competition and tell potential customers as much about your product as possible.
According to Industry Today magazine, product packaging is an incredibly effective marketing tool that can help “differentiate your product from others on the market, win consumers over, and familiarise people with your brand”.
Quad seal pouches offer five panels on which to advertise your brand, whether it’s information on your coffee’s origin, roast dates, brewing suggestions, or QR codes. No matter what angle consumers view the pouch from, they will be able to see at least one side that reveals information about the coffee inside.
This is a great advantage for specialty coffee roasters, as it provides an opportunity to inform customers about the “story” behind their coffee, including the region it was grown and the people involved in its production. In today’s specialty coffee sector, this level of traceability is valued highly by both consumers and roasters.
Whereas other pouches with limited space may resort to additional tasting cards to provide details, quad seal pouches offer plenty of space for printing. Furthermore, the back panel on quad seal pouches does not come with a middle seal, meaning any graphics are uninterrupted.
Roasters can also integrate transparent windows for viewing the coffee before it’s purchased. Not only does this produce an eye-catching design, it allows consumers to inspect the beans.
The separate panels of quad pouches can be further customised to include different finishes, such as glossy panels on the side and matte kraft paper on the front and back, offering a unique branding option that is sure to stand out on the shelf.
Superior Product Protection
A major factor when choosing coffee packaging is determining how well it will protect the contents, particularly against the effects of oxygen, moisture, and light.
If coffee is exposed to any of external factors for too long, it starts to lose its freshness; the flavour will degrade and it will become less aromatic.
When laminated with PET, aluminium, or LDPE, quad seal pouches provide a fully airtight container that prevents oxygen and moisture from entering once sealed. This is a typical choice for roasters, who may opt for a sustainable material, such as rice or kraft paper, with one or more extra layers for protection.
In addition to the protective qualities of quad seal pouches, they’re also able to hold large quantities of coffee without breaking. Thanks to their seam and seal reinforcements, some quad seal pouches can take up to 20kg of weight, making them a good option for roasters looking to distribute large quantities of coffee.
The sturdiness and cubic dimensions of these pouches also make them easier to stack. This means that when preparing filled pouches for transport, roasters can easily predict how many bags will fit in each box.
At MTPak Coffee, our quad seal pouches can easily be customised to include resealable zippers and compostable degassing valves to limit the effects of oxidation, helping to preserve freshness and extend shelf life.
Quad seal pouches have long-been popular among coffee roasters. Their versatility, rigid structures, and five-panel printing space make them an ideal choice for creative branding.
When laminated, they act as a reliable barrier against the effects of oxygen, light, and moisture, while they’re often found with additional features for user friendliness, such as resealable zippers and degassing valves.
Their ability to hold significant weights make them a particularly good choice for roasters looking to ship large quantities of coffee.
At MTPak Coffee, we offer quad seal pouches for coffee roasters in a range of customisable materials and finishes. Our kraft paper and matte foil bags provide an excellent combination of sustainability and protection for preserving coffee during long periods in transit.
For more information on our quad seal coffee pouches, contact our team here.
MTPak Coffee
Photo credits: MTPak Coffee, Neil Soque
Stay updated about MTPak Coffee’s products & services. Sign up to our free newsletter.
