Two of the most popular places for consuming coffee are the home and office, a recent study discovered. Additionally, the study found both the quality and flavour were critical factors for consumers when purchasing coffee.
The trend towards convenience and quality has caused the global drip coffee bag market to inflate considerably over the last few years. Portable and easy to use, they provide convenient portions and quality results without the need for brewing equipment.
Notably, a recent report predicts the global drip coffee bag market will grow to an estimated $2.8 billion by 2025. In this increasingly competitive market, specialty coffee roasters must ensure their drip coffee boxes stand out to customers.
Read on to discover how customising your drip coffee boxes can help boost sales while increasing brand awareness and customer loyalty.
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Sign upExploring the popularity of drip coffee bags
Invented in Japan during the 1990s, drip coffee bags are small, flat bags filled with ground coffee and a filter. The design of drip coffee bags includes folded paper handles that suspend them over a coffee cup. Hot water is then poured into the bag and over the grounds, filtering into the cup below.
Drip coffee bags have become popular among those seeking high-quality, single-serve coffee. They provide coffee consumers with a unique experience, as it is a hybrid between immersion and pour over brew methods.
Drip coffee bags include a bloom phase and require a longer steeping period, which often results in a cup with more clarity, such as those made using a Clever Dripper or Hario Switch.
“Instant” coffee options, such as drip coffee bags, are particularly popular among Millennials. More so, it is the fastest-growing segment in the forecast period, as it is believed “instant” coffee market will reach $41.77 billion by 2026.
By joining the “instant” specialty coffee market, roasters can expand their audience by providing convenience while maintaining their own high standards of quality and flavour.
That said, the design of their coffee bags will be a key factor in the success of the product, as it is estimated brands have a ten-second window to grab the consumers’ attention.
Entering the “instant” specialty coffee market
One roaster that has entered the “instant” specialty coffee market almost seamlessly is Blue Bottle, which released its Craft Instant Espresso in 2022. The brand created an easy-to-use, convenient offering that offers consumers the same flavour quality and high standards as its in-store espresso.
More so, the crystal instantly dissolves in hot and cold milk, making it the ideal solution for creating lattes at home. Notably, lattes were the beverage of choice for the majority of the US in 2022.
Essentially, the brand increased revenue by offering a convenient version of one of its most popular beverages. More so, it has ensured the brand is instantly recognisable by using the Blue Bottle logo on the label and keeping information minimal and easy to read.
Another example is Drop It Drip It: a family-owned company that provides high-quality drip coffee bags. While travelling, two sisters realised the lack of convenient ways to consume coffee while touring.
The pair decided to combine their love of coffee with the increasing demand for recyclable and eco-friendly packaging materials to create a fully environmentally friendly product. A 2021 report found 67% of consumers consider the recyclability of packaging materials when purchasing products.
Therefore, Drip It Drop It appeals to customers who want convenient, high-quality coffee while living an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle, helping to widen the brand’s market.
Tips for customising your drip coffee box
When customising drip coffee boxes, there are several factors to consider. One of the most important is the packaging materials. In order to cater to on-the-go consumers, it is essential to invest in lightweight, durable packaging materials.
The packaging for each drip coffee bag must have superior barrier properties to preserve the grounds inside, while the drip bag itself must be durable enough to withstand the weight of the water.
Within the coffee industry, popular materials used to package drip coffee bags include:
● Kraft paper: This material is fully recyclable and biodegradable. That said, for additional barrier protection, kraft paper may need additional packaging layers to preserve the coffee.
● Polylactic acid (PLA): This material is biodegradable and compostable and is made of renewable resources such as corn or starch.
● Low-density polyethylene (LDPE): This is a durable and flexible plastic that is lightweight and recyclable.
A 2022 study found 86% of participants would pay more for items with sustainable packaging, while 57% were less likely to purchase items with harmful packaging. Therefore, the materials for your custom drip coffee boxes should also be sturdy yet recyclable, such as cardboard or recycled paper-based materials. Additionally, they should be suitable for a variety of customisation techniques in order to make the product stand out.
For example, roasters may benefit from investing in custom coffee boxes that feature hot foil stamping, UV spot finishes, or holographic elements. Minor adjustments such as these could make their branding more noticeable to consumers, increasing brand awareness. In turn, this could make a company appear more premium, increasing consumer interest.
Match your box to your drip coffee bags
To ensure brand consistency, it is important for the designs on your drip coffee boxes and bags to match those used on your regular coffee packaging. For example, roasters should ensure the same logo is used across all packaging, as this is what customers associate with the product.
The same across-board method could also be used for colour schemes, typography and fonts. Overall, it is important that the design aspects fit neatly and seamlessly within the label and packaging, without becoming distorted.
As convenience becomes increasingly important to customers, roasters must adapt by minimising the steps required to get a great cup of coffee.
MTPak Coffee provides drip coffee bags that are portable, compact and convenient for customer’s on-the-go. Portable, compact, and easy to use, our drip coffee bags and filters mean your clients can experience specialty coffee wherever they go, whenever they want.
Our drip coffee bags are lightweight, tear-resistant, and highly customisable. Additionally, they come with recyclable and compostable material options. Our drip coffee bags can be packaged individually or in custom drip coffee boxes.
Complete the look of your exclusive offering with a custom-print coffee box. Made from 100% recycled cardboard, our coffee boxes can be fully customised to accurately reflect your brand, as well as your coffee’s characteristics. Using our innovative digital printing technology, our design team is able to custom-print on each side of the coffee box.
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.
