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Choosing Coffee Bags That Protect Flavour and Boost Sales

Choosing Coffee Bags That Protect Flavour and Boost Sales

Choosing the right coffee pouch types can make or break your coffee business. Different types of coffee packaging work better for different brands and customer needs. At Polypouch, we'll help you pick the best packaging for your coffee products based on your specific requirements and target market.

Stand Up Coffee Pouches

Stand up coffee pouches display
Foil stand up coffee pouch with degassing valve
Stand up coffee pouch with valve
Black stand up pouch with resealable zip, tear notch, and valve

Stand up pouches for coffee are the most popular choice for retail coffee brands. They have a special bottom gusset that lets them stand upright on shelves. This makes them perfect for shops and online sales.

Key benefits of stand up coffee pouches:

  • Work well for coffee packs between 250g, 500g and 1kg
  • Upright design catches customer attention and saves shelf space
  • Cost less than premium options but still look professional
  • Easy to fill and seal during production

Polypouch supplies stand up pouches for coffee with excellent barrier properties to maintain freshness. Our most popular configuration includes a resealable zip closure and degassing valve, though we also manufacture simpler versions for cost-conscious brands. We can offer multiple material combinations, from basic metallised films to premium matt laminates.

This balance makes them ideal for growing coffee businesses. Request samples of our stand up coffee pouches to see the quality difference for yourself.

Flat Bottom Coffee Bags

Flat bottom coffee bags standing
Flat bottom coffee bag with valve in green finish

Flat bottom coffee bags are also called box bottom bags. They have a square base with four corner seals. This design gives them excellent shelf presence and stability.

Why choose flat bottom coffee bags:

  • Hold more coffee than regular pouches due to wider base
  • Don't tip over easily thanks to stable square foundation
  • Provide more space for branding on all sides
  • Create a luxury feel perfect for premium lines

At Polypouch, our flat bottom coffee bags feature reinforced corner seals and premium printing across all panels. We specialise in soft-touch lamination finishes that give these pouches an exceptional tactile quality – perfect for premium coffee brands seeking that luxury feel.

They cost more than stand up pouches but many speciality roasters prefer them. The extra branding space helps your coffee stand out from competitors on busy shelves. Contact us for a quote on flat bottom coffee bags with custom artwork and premium finishes.

Side Gusset Coffee Bags

Side gusset bags for coffee are the traditional choice for wholesale coffee supply. They expand at the sides when filled but lay flat when empty. This makes them easy to store and transport.

Side gusset coffee bag advantages:

  • Perfect for 500g to 1kg quantities
  • Take up less storage space when empty
  • Ideal for bulk orders and wholesale supply
  • Seal at top and bottom with expanding sides
Black side gusset open top coffee pouch with valve
Side gusset coffee bag with valve in black open top style

Polypouch manufactures side gusset coffee pouches specifically for high-speed filling lines common in wholesale operations. We offer heat-sealable top closures and can position degassing valves to work with automated filling equipment. Our clients include many coffee distributors who need consistent seal integrity across thousands of bags.

The side gusset vs stand up pouch debate depends on your needs. Side gusset bags work better for bulk sales whilst stand up pouches are better for retail display. Speak to our team about optimising side gusset coffee bags for your filling process.

Kraft Coffee Bags

Flat bottom kraft coffee bag with rip and zip closure
Kraft flat bottom coffee bag with rip and zip closure
White kraft side gusset open top coffee pouch
White kraft side gusset coffee bag with open top

Kraft coffee pouches have a natural brown or white paper finish. They often have a plastic liner inside to keep coffee fresh. This combination gives them a natural, eco-friendly look.

Benefits of kraft coffee packaging:

  • Perfect for artisanal and organic coffee brands
  • Available in stand up, side gusset, and flat bottom styles
  • Premium feel that appeals to eco-conscious customers
  • Some options are fully recyclable or compostable

Our kraft coffee bags at Polypouch use food-grade barrier linings. We offer both natural brown kraft and bleached white kraft exteriors, with the choice of PE or compostable PLA inner coatings. The printing on kraft requires special water-based inks, which we've perfected to ensure vibrant colours whilst maintaining the natural aesthetic.

The paper finish feels premium and environmentally conscious. Recyclability depends on the inner liner material used. Ask about our kraft coffee pouch options and which barrier coatings suit your sustainability goals.

Recyclable Coffee Pouches

Clear recyclable flat bottom coffee pouch with rip and zip opening
Clear recyclable flat bottom pouch with rip and zip closure

Recyclable coffee pouches are made from single materials. Most use polyethylene (PE) throughout the whole bag. This makes them compatible with soft plastic recycling schemes.

Recyclable coffee pouch bags:

  • Single-material construction makes recycling easier
  • Compatible with growing soft plastic recycling schemes
  • Can still include zips and valves
  • Maintain high printing quality and visual appeal

Polypouch's recyclable coffee pouches use mono-material PE construction throughout, including zips and valve components. This single-polymer approach means the entire pouch can go into soft plastic recycling streams. We use specialised barrier coatings that maintain coffee freshness whilst preserving recyclability.

More councils now accept soft plastics for recycling. This makes recyclable pouches increasingly attractive to eco-conscious customers who want sustainable packaging options. Get technical specifications for our recyclable coffee pouches and their barrier performance data.

Compostable Coffee Pouches

Compostable coffee pouches break down completely in composting facilities. They're made from kraft paper and PLA or other plant-based materials. This makes them the most eco-friendly option available.

Compostable coffee pouch benefits:

  • Work in industrial or home composting systems
  • Break down within months rather than decades
  • Appeal to zero-waste customers
  • Support premium pricing for eco-conscious brands
Kraft compostable coffee pouch with resealable closure
Kraft compostable coffee pouch with resealable zip

At Polypouch, our compostable coffee bags and pouches are TUV approved for home composting systems. We use PLA-coated kraft with plant-based barrier layers, though shelf life is typically 18–24 months compared to 36 months+ for conventional pouches. We work closely with artisan roasters to match pouch specifications with their production cycles and storage conditions.

Discuss your turnover rates with our sustainability team to see if compostable coffee pouches fit your business model.

Coffee Pouches with Degassing Valves

Bronze side gusset coffee pouch with degassing valve
Bronze side gusset coffee bag with open top and valve
Matte black flat bottom coffee pouch with degassing valve
Matte black flat bottom pouch with open top and valve

Degassing valves are essential for freshly roasted coffee. They let carbon dioxide escape without letting oxygen in. This prevents bags from inflating and keeps coffee fresh longer.

Why degassing valves matter:

  • Fresh coffee releases CO2 for days after roasting
  • Prevent bags from bursting or becoming over-inflated
  • Maintain coffee freshness and quality
  • Can be added to any pouch format

Polypouch sources coffee bags with degassing valves from several different suppliers to match specific requirements. We can offer standard one-way valves for most applications, premium valves with enhanced seal integrity for longer shelf life, and laser-perforated micro-valves for smaller pouches. Valve placement varies by pouch style – we position them optimally based on your filling process and storage orientation.

Let our technical advisors recommend the right valve specification for your coffee roasting and packaging timeline.

Other Features to Consider

Polypouch offers additional features that can improve your coffee packaging performance and customer experience. These extras help differentiate your brand and add practical value that customers appreciate.

Popular coffee pouch features we provide:

  • Resealable zips make pouches perfect for multiple uses and better storage
  • Tear notches make pouches easier to open without scissors
  • Clear windows let customers see the coffee inside
  • Finish options include matt, gloss, or soft-touch surfaces for premium appeal

Our customers tell us they appreciate being able to close bags after opening, and small details like tear notches can significantly improve brand perception. Clear windows work particularly well for whole bean coffee where appearance matters. Premium brands often choose our matt or soft-touch finishes for a luxury feel that commands higher prices.

The flat bottom vs gusset pouch choice affects display and storage, so we'll help you consider your sales channels when making this decision. Box bottom coffee bags work better for premium retail positioning, and we can guide you through the options.

Choosing the Right Coffee Pouch Type

The best coffee pouch type depends on your brand, customers, and sales channels. At Polypouch, we work with retail brands who often prefer stand up or flat bottom styles for shelf appeal, and wholesale suppliers who typically choose side gusset bags for efficiency and storage.

Key factors we help you consider:

  • Your target market and sales channels
  • Environmental goals and sustainability messaging
  • Budget constraints and volume requirements
  • Practical features your customers need
Purple side gusset open top coffee pouch
Purple side gusset coffee bag with open top
Foil side gusset coffee pouch with degassing valve
Foil side gusset coffee bag with valve and open top

Our team will help you consider your environmental goals when selecting materials. We supply kraft, recyclable, and compostable options that all support sustainability messaging. However, they may cost more or have shorter shelf lives than standard options, and we'll guide you through these trade-offs.

We'll also help you think about practical features your customers need. Valves are essential for fresh coffee, zips help with storage after opening, and windows work well for premium whole bean products that look appealing. Our experience with many coffee brands means we can advise what works best for different markets.

At Polypouch, we recommend starting with your brand positioning and working backwards to packaging choice. Premium brands might choose flat bottom bags with soft-touch finishes, whilst value brands might prefer simple stand up pouches with standard printing. We can supply both and everything in between.

We often help clients test different options with their target customers. What appeals to speciality coffee buyers might not work for supermarket shoppers. Understanding your audience helps guide packaging decisions, and our team has the experience to ensure the best results for your business.

We understand that packaging is part of your product experience. The right pouch type can reinforce your brand message and improve customer satisfaction. Our role is to help you choose wisely to support your business goals and build lasting customer relationships. From initial consultation through to delivery, the Polypouch team is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring your coffee packaging performs brilliantly in the market whilst reflecting your brand values perfectly.

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