As a coffee packaging manufacturer with over 15 years of experience, I’m often asked by roasters and importers: “Which coffee pouch shape should I choose for my brand?”
Short answer:
The three most popular coffee pouch types are stand-up pouches1, side gusset bags2, and flat bottom (also called eight-side seal) bags. Each has unique strengths depending on display style, storage needs, and filling process.
If you're showcasing coffee on retail shelves, we often recommend stand-up or flat bottom bags3—especially with hang holes or euro slots.
What is the difference between flat bottom pouch and stand up pouch?
Many new buyers confuse flat bottom and stand-up pouches1.
Flat bottom bags have five panels and stand more firmly, while stand-up pouches1 (Doypack) rely on a rounded bottom gusset.
Dive Deeper: Structure comparison
| Feature | Flat Bottom Bag | Stand-Up Pouch |
|---|---|---|
| Base structure | Flat square/rectangle | Oval-shaped bottom gusset |
| Stability | Best | Good |
| Branding area | 5 sides | 2 sides |
| Capacity | High | Medium |
| Premium feel | High-end | Standard |
Flat bottom bags are the most “luxurious” coffee bag shape. They look rigid, stand tall, and allow for complex artwork on front, back, bottom, and side panels. They are commonly chosen for specialty or premium coffee lines.
What are the different types of coffee packaging?
Coffee comes in many bag formats—some for retail display, others for bulk supply.
The top coffee pouch types are: stand-up pouches1, flat bottom (eight-side seal) bags, and side gusset bags2.
Dive Deeper: Most popular coffee pouch styles
| Type | Use Case | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Stand-Up Pouch | Retail, samples, online | Classic & compact |
| Flat Bottom Bag | Premium shelves, gifts | Modern & rigid |
| Side Gusset Bag | Wholesale, bulk beans | Traditional & narrow |
In our IMIPAK factory, we often add extras like:
- Degassing valves (for roasted beans)
- Hang holes (for wall display)
- Zippers (for resealing)
- Matte + glossy finish (for contrast printing)
Each feature can be tailored based on your market positioning.
What is the difference between side gusset and bottom gusset?
Some clients get confused by gusset terms.
Side gusset bags expand from the sides, creating a brick shape. Bottom gusset bags expand from the bottom to let the pouch stand up.
Dive Deeper: Why gusset style4 matters
Here’s a structural breakdown:
| Feature | Side Gusseted Bag | Bottom Gusseted Pouch |
|---|---|---|
| Expansion zone | Left and right sides | Base |
| Filling style | Vertical fill | Vertical fill |
| Shelf presence | Narrow | Wide |
| Look | Traditional | Modern |
Side gusseted bags are still very popular among coffee roasters who ship in bulk or sell in traditional stores. They are cost-effective and work well on high-speed packaging machines.
At IMIPAK, we always round off sharp corners of gusset bags to avoid injuries. This small touch helps avoid customer complaints about damaged fingers or packaging cuts.
What are the different types of coffee packets?
Coffee packets go beyond large pouches.
Coffee can also be packaged in single-serve sachets5, drip filter bags6, and stick packs depending on usage.
Dive Deeper: Coffee packet formats
| Packet Type | Description | Market Use |
|---|---|---|
| Stick Pack | Slim, single-serve powder pack | Instant coffee |
| Drip Filter Bag | Paper pouch with built-in hooks | Pour-over brewing |
| Pillow Sachet | Sealed on all sides | Mass-market or hotel coffee |
| Flow Wrap | Horizontal sachet for pods or bars | Capsules, pods |
These small formats are often packed into larger stand-up pouches1 or boxes. We supply laminated film rolls for automated sachet machines as well.
What are the 7 types of packaging?
This question often comes from wholesalers working across food categories.
The seven common packaging types include flexible pouches7, rigid boxes, glass jars, metal cans, paper bags, plastic bottles, and stick packs.
Dive Deeper: Coffee-specific adaptation
Coffee is sensitive to light, oxygen, and moisture. So among the 7 packaging types, only flexible pouches7 with aluminum foil8 are suitable for long-term coffee storage.
Others like glass or paper are rarely used due to poor barrier performance and shipping risk.
What are the 4 main types of coffee?
Although this is not about packaging, buyers sometimes ask out of curiosity.
The four main types of coffee beans are Arabica9, Robusta10, Liberica, and Excelsa. Each has different flavor and density—affecting packaging choices.
Dive Deeper: How bean type affects packaging
- Arabica9: lighter, more aromatic – needs strong barrier but flexible sealing
- Robusta10: denser, more bitter – more oil, so valve and aluminum layer recommended
- Liberica & Excelsa: niche beans – often packed in premium pouches11 for specialty markets
The roast level (light, medium, dark) also matters. Darker roasts produce more CO₂ and need a valve to prevent bloating.
Conclusion
The best coffee bag for your product depends on how you sell it. Stand-up, side gusset, and flat bottom bags3 each have their place—and each offers unique branding opportunities.
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Explore how stand-up pouches enhance coffee branding and shelf presence. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
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Learn about the cost-effectiveness and traditional appeal of side gusset bags. ↩ ↩
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Discover why flat bottom bags are considered luxurious and ideal for premium coffee. ↩ ↩
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Understand the importance of gusset style in packaging design and functionality. ↩
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Explore the convenience and market appeal of single-serve coffee sachets. ↩
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Learn about the innovative design of drip filter bags for brewing coffee. ↩
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Discover the benefits of flexible pouches in maintaining coffee freshness. ↩ ↩
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Understand the protective qualities of aluminum foil in coffee storage. ↩
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Learn about the unique characteristics of Arabica coffee and its packaging needs. ↩ ↩
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Explore the specific packaging considerations for Robusta coffee beans. ↩ ↩
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Find out how premium pouches elevate the branding of specialty coffee. ↩
