Flat Bottom Pouches vs. Stand-up Pouches: Which Is Better for Coffee?

Coffee packaging has come a long way over the years. From beeswax-treated sacks to today's flexible pouchs, it is now easier than ever to safely transport and store roasted coffee.

The two most popular types of coffee packaging are the flat bottom pouch and the stand-up pouch. Convenient, sturdy and cost-effective, they provide specialty roasters with a reliable way to preserve and protect their coffee to maximize customer satisfaction.

However, while they have many similarities, each pouch also has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Custom coffee packaging bag

What is a flat bottom coffee pouch?

A flat bottom pouch is a five-sided freestanding pouch with a flat rectangular base. It has material for greater space and strength on both the left and right sides of the pouch, called corner gussets, and a fastener at the top.

Most flat-bottom pouches are made of multiple layers to protect against external elements such as light, oxygen, moisture and heat. 

Versatile and spacious, flat-bottom pouches are popular with consumers who have strong brand identities because of their large printable area. On the shelf, they are an effective marketing tool for bakers, with a sturdy construction, flat front and plenty of label space.

Flat-bottom pouchs are relatively new to the market and are particularly popular in high-end food packaging, and while they are typically more expensive than other types of flexible packaging, they are aesthetically pleasing, versatile and convenient.

These are important factors for consumers. Recent research by management consulting firm McKinsey & Company shows that convenience packaging is a top priority for most consumers. 

Consumers' changing behaviors and lifestyles are placing new demands on packaged goods. For example, reducing food preparation time, achieving 'divisibility', portability and smaller individual packages. Packaging design plays an important role in meeting these requirements, for example with easy-to-open and resealable closures.

In fact, flat-bottom pouchs are often sealed with pockets or top-opening zippers. The pocket zipper is located inside the package and has a pull tab to open the pouch. Removing the pull ring and pressing the zipper reseals the pouch and helps prevent exposure to oxygen.

Their narrow design also means they take up less space during storage, shelving and transport. They use 30% less material than cardboard boxes, making them a great option for roasters looking to reduce waste.

What is a vertical coffee pouch?

Stand-up pouches are a lightweight, flexible and space-saving option for specialty coffee roasters. Stand-up pouches for coffee are available in a variety of sizes, materials and finishes, and are often multi-layered to maintain freshness and prevent pouch splitting.

Stand-up pouches differ from other pouchs in that they have a W-shaped corner gusset at the bottom that opens to form a sturdy, freestanding bottom. Some stand-up pouches for coffee have features such as nozzles or resealable zippers. Most will use an exhaust valve to keep the product inside fresh.

For added convenience, roasters may choose to include a tear-off or "easy-tear" option to make opening the coffee as simple and efficient as possible for the customer. 

Like flat-bottom pouchs, stand-up pouches stay upright when filled with product without assistance. They have a bottom corner gusset, not sides. This means they only have a front panel for advertising space and a back panel. 

Stand-up pouches stand on their own with durable bottom corner gussets. They can be sealed with a zipper closure to keep the pouch as airtight as possible.

SUPs are a more affordable option because they use less material than flat-bottom pouchs. Their lightweight nature also makes them more affordable to transport and store. That said, because it does not have side corner gussets, it is more limited in the capacity it can store.

Wholesale square bottom coffee packaging bag

Flat-bottom pouchs vs. stand-up pouches

Both flat-bottom and stand-up pouches can easily integrate essentials such as degassing valves, additional layers and various sealing options. They are also suitable for environmentally friendly materials such as kraft paper, polylactic acid (PLA) and LDPE (low density polyethylene).

Nevertheless, flat-bottom pouchs and stand-up pouches offer clear advantages. She told me that, in her experience, flat-bottom pouchs are preferred because they have larger openings, making it easier and faster for bakers to fill them. 

The five printable sides also make them a good choice for those who want their products to stand out on the shelf, no matter which way they are viewed.

Stand-up pouches, on the other hand, may not have the same marketing potential, but they are more affordable than flat-bottom pouchs.

From a cost perspective, the economical choice is stand-up pouches. The process of manufacturing them is cheaper and simpler because it doesn't require two sets of printing plates. If you are looking for edgy, stylish and attractive packaging and have a bigger budget, flat-bottom pouchs may be a better choice.

Since stand-up pouches support lighter weight and are cheaper to manufacture, they can be suitable for roasters selling coffee for the first time. Where branding is less important, such as coffee subscriptions, they are a more appropriate choice.

For established brands selling a wide range of coffees, flat-bottom pouchs may be a better choice, and are also favored by those selling large volumes of coffee.

For specialty roasters, it is important to choose the right packaging for your coffee. Not only does it need to protect your coffee and keep it fresh, it should also reflect the brand identity and fit into a budget.

At WUXI FUR PATH TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, we can help you find the perfect coffee pouch for your brand, whether you are selling ground coffee beans or whole beans. Our range of sustainable flat bottom pouchs and stand-up pouches can be fully customized to your requirements, while you can also choose from a range of components, including degassing valves and resealable zippers.

For more information on coffee pouchs, please contact our team here.