In addition to the variety of coffee, one of the most interesting aspect of the specialty sector is the range of coffee bag designs.
From maximalist and retro, to holographic and natural, there seems to be no limits to the creativity that stems from specialty coffee packaging.
One of the more popular design trends entering the sector includes embossing. Several well-known specialty roasters use now using embossing on coffee boxes to highlight their brand.
The technique is particularly popular on custom coffee boxes used for subscription or gifting services. However, can roasters also emboss their coffee bags?
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Sign upWhat is embossed coffee packaging?
Embossing is a printing method that creates a 3D effect through raised graphics.
To create this effect, the printing machine uses two metal plates, known as a die, to press the design into the substrate or packaging material.
The upper die presses into the material, sticking to the substrate through heat. The lower die then presses into the material from the other side, raising the stamped area to create an embossed effect.
Notably, the embossed area can be single or multi-level. This style of coffee packaging has grown in popularity, with companies such as Apple, Vogue, and Onyx Coffee using it for their product boxes.
The benefits of embossing coffee packaging
Roasters can benefit from embossing their coffee packaging in several different ways.
One of the most effective ways to use embossing on coffee packaging is to showcase the brand’s logo.
Embossing in this way can add a sensory aspect to coffee packaging. This can help roasters tie into the sensory marketing aspect that is essential to an optimum coffee-drinking experience.
When used correctly, sensory marketing can use the texture, text, colour, and imagery on packaging to positively impact a customer’s purchasing decisions.
Some of the strongest and most relevant senses to coffee roasters would be sight and touch. Research shows when a product catches a customer’s attention, they are likely to want to touch it as well.
Additionally, embossed packaging helps increase the visual appeal and perceived value of a product.
Several brands in “luxurious” industries such as cosmetics, fashion, and technology emboss product packaging to increase the perception of quality.
The design technique can give coffee packaging a premium look, helping to elevate the brand and push sales.
There are numerous designs that can be elevated with embossing and still keep the energy of the company.
For example, Old Spike uses embossing on its coffee bags to highlight the company logo. The brand name and logo are embossed in one colour, while the rest of the coffee bag’s design is kept simple.
All information about the coffee inside is printed on the lower half of the bag in a different colour.
The combination of multiple colours gives the bag a modern look, while still keeping it simple enough to appeal to a wide range of customers.
On the other hand, Onyx coffee uses embossing to accentuate the design in comparison to the debossing of the brand’s name on its coffee boxes. This helps accentuates both parts of the design, making it all the more memorable.
It also gives the brand a premium look, attracting customers who like the design both for its boldness and for its delicate and vintage appeal.
What to consider when embossing coffee bags
One of the most important factors to consider when embossing coffee packaging is the material of the bag.
Technique and material
As there are different embossing techniques that can be used, roasters must ensure the packaging material can withstand the process.
For instance, heat embossing includes drawing the design onto the packaging substrate and sprinkling an embossing powder over it. This is then heated in order for the substrate to raise with the desired design.
Alternatively, cold embossing, also known as cold stamping, requires no heat. A foil and ultra-violet (UV) adhesive is applied over the area that is to be embossed.
Then, a pressure roller seals the foil to the substrate before it is cured with a UV light, essentially solidifying the design in place.
Each technique has its own effect and set of limitations and considerations. For example, some plastics and paper materials would be unable to retain their shape and may break down during printing.
Bag design and shape
Taking the shape of the coffee bag and overall design into consideration is extremely important when embossing packaging.
If the embossing overlaps around the sides of the bag it may affect the design, making it look more amateur than premium.
Additionally, it may compromise the seal of the bag, which increases the risk of customers receiving stale coffee.
The embossing must fit into the constraints of the bag’s shape and size. More importantly, it should elevate the design, not overtake it.
Branding and marketing goals
When embossing coffee packaging, it’s important to keep the company’s branding and marketing goals in mind.
As mentioned previously, embossing can create a variety of styles and designs to accentuate the energy of the company.
It can also bring awareness to the roastery name, logo, or important product information.
Clearly, embossed elements in packaging design can create a high-impact, sophisticated brand image.
MTPak Coffee offers embossing and debossing effects on both coffee bags and coffee boxes.
Our range of packaging options is made from renewable materials: our range of coffee boxes is made using 100% recycled cardboard, while our sustainable coffee bags are made using kraft paper, rice paper, or multilayer LDPE packaging with an environmentally friendly PLA lining.
More so, both our sustainable coffee bags and coffee mailer boxes can be fully customised to accurately reflect your brand, as well as your coffee’s characteristics.
MTPak Coffee offers our clients a quick turnaround time of 40-hours and 24-hour shipping time.
We also offer low minimum order quantities (MOQs) to micro-roasters who are looking to remain agile while showcasing brand identity and a commitment to the environment.
