Packaging Glossary
Whether you’re new to coffee packaging or refining your next products, this guide will help you understand the terms that matter.
Products
Stand-up coffee pouches: This type of coffee bag features a curved bottom with the two edges standing alone. The bag is therefore capable of standing unassisted, making it a convenient choice for retail settings. The two sides, bottom, and interior can then be custom printed.
Side gusset coffee bags: These bags feature a fold on either side of the bag to increase the amount of coffee that can fit in it. The gussets themselves can also be customised to add additional information. They are different to flat bottom coffee bags because they have folds in the sides and bottom.
Flat bottom coffee bags: One of the most common types of coffee packaging, flat bottom coffee bags feature a flat, stable base. This makes them easy to stand unassisted. They are different to side gusset coffee bags because the entire bottom is flat, without a fold.
Quad seal coffee bags: Quad seal coffee bags are particularly stable and durable due to their structure with fixed corners on the base and towards the top. This makes them convenient to flat-pack for bulk orders and secure enough to ship larger quantities of coffee beans.
Single-wall coffee cups: These cups are often used for short drinks like espresso or macchiato. They consist of one layer of material, generally kraft or bamboo paper, with linings such as PLA, PE, or aqueous coatings to preserve their integrity.
Double-wall coffee cups: Double-wall cups are similar to their single-wall counterparts but consist of two layers of material instead of one. This increases their insulation properties to keep the drink hot for longer.
Ripple wall coffee cups: Ripple wall coffee cups are made from a standard single-wall coffee cup with an outer layer of corrugated cardboard. Between these layers is a cushion of air that slows heat loss and makes the cup easier to hold.
Foldable paper cups: Foldable paper cups are made from a single material to make them more compatible with recycling streams. The two folds in the top fold over and interlock with one another to secure the drink, meaning you donβt need to include a lid.
Drip coffee boxes: These boxes are suitable for storing single-serve drip coffee pouches and bags. They are customisable to add a premium finish or design, elevating the aesthetics of the box and, by extension, your single-serve specialty coffee.
Coffee mailer boxes: These boxes are made from recyclable cardboard and are suitable for regular e-commerce shipments or subscription orders. Their sturdy material ensures your coffee is secure and protected during transit, and you can customise the box to add your branding.
UFO drip coffee bags: UFO drip coffee bags are fast emerging as one of the most popular forms of single-serve coffee. They consist of a bag of ground coffee and a cardboard disc that sits on the rim of a cup. Customers then pour water over the grounds to brew the coffee quickly and conveniently.
Drip coffee bags: Single-serve drip coffee bags are another convenient way to give consumers access to specialty coffee on the go. The bag is made from recycled paper and sits above the bottom of the cup for consumers to pour over and brew.
Paper tubes: These tubes are made from sturdy materials such as white or brown kraft paper and are commonly used to store rare or microlot specialty coffees. They create an airtight seal when the lid is secured and are durable enough to withstand the rigours of transit.
Materials
Aluminium cans: Cans are an increasingly popular choice for coffee packaging due to their premium feel and near-endless reusability. They are often lined with aqueous coatings to avoid corrosion and adhere to food standards.
Aluminium foil: A thin layer of aluminium that goes between the coffee bagβs exterior and the roasted coffee inside the bag. This preserves the coffeeβs quality from light and moisture and is also a food-safe option.
Aqueous coating: Recyclable coffee bags are lined with aqueous coatings that rinse off when they come into contact with water. This lining protects the coffee during storage but is distinct from aluminium foil in that it doesnβt need to be physically separated prior to recycling. These coatings can also be applied to cups to make them more resilient.
Bagasse: Bagasse is a packaging material made from pulped sugar cane. It is often used to make recyclable paper coffee cups.
Burlap: Made from woven fabrics like jute and hemp, this sturdy material is used in sacks for storing green coffee. It is renowned for its strength and durability, meaning burlap sacks are highly reusable.
Holographic foil: This is a reflective material commonly made from polyethylene (PE) that produces a shiny, glossy finish on coffee bags and cups.
Kraft paper: Made from several layers of wood pulp, kraft paper is a type of cardboard often used for disposable coffee cups and recyclable coffee bags. It has high barrier protection properties and is easily recyclable and compostable when any aqueous linings are rinsed off.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE): LDPE is one of the most common packaging materials for roasted coffee bags due to its durability and lightweight nature. It is recyclable when disposed of in the correct conditions and can be repurposed into plastic bags and other products.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): PET is a sturdy packaging material often used for plastic bottles and cups. It is thicker than other plastics such as LDPE and therefore suited to containing drinks. PET is also fully recyclable, often in domestic recycling streams.
Polylactic acid (PLA): PLA is a widely produced bioplastic often used to make coffee bags. It decomposes in as little as six months under the correct circumstances and is often used for internal linings or viewing windows on coffee bags.
Post-consumer recycled materials: Coffee bags can be made from post-consumer recycled materials such as LDPE. They are sourced from third-party processors who recycle the plastic from its previous use. Then, you get a certification on the percentage of recycled content in the bag to communicate to consumers.Β
Rice paper: Rice paper coffee bags are made from a mixture of organic materials like rice pulp, bamboo, and Qintan tree bark. It is known for its translucent appearance and biodegradable nature.
Accessories
Card slot: This small pouch on the front of a coffee bag provides the space for a card insert. This can contain information about the coffeeβs origin, processing method, and flavour notes.
Clear window: Made from transparent plastic, clear windows in the centre of a coffee bag allow consumers to look at the roasted coffee inside. This can help them see the grind or bean size and helps give the packaging a premium feel.
Degassing valve: This accessory allows excess carbon dioxide to escape bags of roasted coffee without opening them. This helps to preserve coffee’s freshness and flavour notes. It does this without allowing oxygen to enter the bag, hence its one-way nature.
Handles: Usually reserved for larger bags of roasted coffee, a rectangular gap is added to the top of the bag above its seal to make it easy to carry and transport.
Hang hole: Hang holes are small gaps punched into the top corner of a coffee bag with a meta or plastic ring lining it. They allow retailers and roasters to hang a coffee product near to checkouts, in distinctive positions, or to highlight a particular product over another.
Hook and loop: This sealing method consists of a track that consumers can pull apart and press to close with an audible snap. This creates a seal to keep the coffee secure. Hook and loop systems can also be made from velcro for a more tactile seal.
Pocket zippers: This sealing method is attached to the inside of coffee bags, with a precut strip of plastic for consumers to pull away. Then, a small zipper emerges, allowing consumers to reseal the bag between uses.
Resealable systems: We offer a range of resealing methods to keep your coffee secure and fresh between uses. Our choices include zippers, pocket zippers, tin ties, and hook and loop closures.
Tear notch: Tear notches are an incredibly common feature on coffee bags that allow consumers to easily open the packaging. They are often paired with resealable zippers to preserve freshness between uses.
Tin ties: These are small strips of tin that are positioned on top of the coffee bagβs opening. When the consumer folds this opening down after using the bag, it twists around to reseal the package.
Zipper: Zippers are heat stamped onto the coffee bag, with one side containing a channel and the other a strip to pull. This allows consumers to open and reopen a coffee bag without impacting its freshness by allowing excess light, oxygen, and moisture to enter.
Printing Techniques
Aluminium leakage: This is a printing method that adds an aluminium sheen to specific parts of the packaging to make particular design elements shine in light and stand out to consumers.
Compostable laminates: Made from organic materials such as cassava and sugarcane, these laminates are printed onto the interior of a coffee bag to provide barrier protection. Depending on your choice, then can then be composted either industrially or domestically.
Embossing/debossing: This is where certain design elements are either indented or outdented for emphasis. Roasters often use this on custom coffee bags, boxes, sleeves, or card inserts to highlight logos or product names.
Hot foil stamping: This is a traditional method of relief printing where the design is stamped onto coffee packaging using a die and substrate on a two-way press. However, it is now less common than modern printing techniques.
Interior printing: This is where the interior of a coffee bag is printed prior to filling to include specific designs. Interior printing often increases the appeal of a coffee bag to create a premium experience.
Lamination: Lamination is often used to add a matte finish to a coffee bag. It uses two or more flexible packaging webs together to create a thin film over the initial design. This protects the design but can cause recyclability concerns.
Laser scoring: This is where a laser creates small perforations along the top seal of a coffee bag, creating an easily tearable opening. As a way of creating openings for coffee packaging, it is low-impact and has no effect on the bagβs durability.
Low-VOC inks: These are often water- or soy-based inks that produce little to no emissions in production and printing. Low-VOC inks are, therefore, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based inks.
Matte finish: Matte finishes for coffee bags create a rough texture that also gives the bag a softer appearance while reducing the presence of fingerprints.
Metallised coating: This is a coating either made from sugarcane or LDPE, which is similar in aesthetics to plastic coatings but more sustainable. It provides a metallic finish to a coffee bag without impacting its sustainability.
Pearlescent coating: Pearlescent coatings create a shell-style finish that reflects light off the bag. It is achieved by printing mica, a naturally sourced mineral, onto certain areas or the entirety of a coffee bag.
Shadow printing: Shadow printing is an emerging method where shading is used to mimic the appearance of embossing. It’s a cost-effective way to improve the visibility of your logo on coffee packaging.
Soft touch (satin) finish: This is where certain areas of the coffee bag are treated with UV coatings to decorate particular areas, providing a satin finish that can increase value perceptions.
Spot gloss: Similar to spot satin finishes, this is commonly used on matte coffee bags to add gloss to a particular surface, such as the logo or blend name, for added emphasis.
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