Walk into any specialty coffee retailer and you'll notice something: not all coffee bags look the same. Some stand upright with a flat bottom. Some taper toward the base. Some lay flat. These differences aren't just aesthetic — each bag format has structural reasons for existing, and the format you choose will affect how your product is perceived, how it's stored, and what it costs.

Here's a practical guide to every major coffee bag format and how to decide which one is right for your brand.

Stand Up Pouches (SUP)

The most common format in the specialty coffee market. Stand up pouches have a gusseted base that allows the bag to stand independently on shelf. They're available in a wide range of sizes (from 100g to 1kg+) and are compatible with degassing valves, resealable zippers, and tin ties.

Best for:

• Roasters at any scale — highly versatile
• Retail shelf placement where the bag needs to stand independently
• Brands offering multiple weight sizes (250g, 500g, 1kg)
• Smaller products like tea and product samples (20g, 30g, 50g)

Common weights: 250g, 500g, 1kg

Side Gusset Bags

Side gusset bags expand at the sides rather than the base, giving them a more traditional rectangular shape when filled. They're a firm favourite in wholesale and commercial roasting because they stack efficiently, store well, and have a classic coffee bag appearance.

Best for:

• Wholesale and commercial supply — efficient packing and palletising
• Higher-volume SKUs where packaging efficiency matters
• Brands that want a classic, professional aesthetic

Note on valves: Side gusset bags can be fitted with front-facing or side-panel valves. Confirm valve placement when requesting your quote.

Common weights: 250g, 500g, 1kg

Box Bottom (Flat Bottom) Bags

Box bottom bags have a flat, rectangular base that allows them to stand perfectly upright and display a wide front panel. They're increasingly popular as a premium format because the large, flat front face gives designers maximum canvas for artwork, and they look exceptional on specialty retail shelves.

Best for:

• Premium or flagship SKUs where presentation is the priority
• Retail environments where shelf standout is critical
• Brands with strong visual identity who want maximum artwork impact

Trade-off: Box bottom bags are slightly more expensive than stand up pouches due to the more complex base construction. Worth it for a flagship product; less necessary for everyday volume SKUs. To understand how finish affects the premium look, read our guide on matte vs gloss vs soft touch finishes.

Common weights: 250g, 500g, 1kg

Flat Pouches

Flat pouches are exactly what they sound like — a simple, flat sealed pouch with no gusset. They can't stand independently but are the most cost-effective format and work well for sample packs, smaller weights (50g–200g), or products that will be placed in a retail bin or basket.

Best for:

• Sample packs and trial sizes
• Lower-weight retail SKUs
• Cost-sensitive applications where format is less important than price

Tin Tie Bags

Tin tie bags are a traditional kraft paper bag with a resealable metal tie at the top. They're common in artisan and farmers market settings and carry a strong handcrafted, sustainable brand association. They're not suitable for modified atmosphere packaging but work well for fresh-off-the-roast retail.

Best for:

• Artisan, handcrafted, or farmers market-oriented brands
• Brands where kraft paper aligns with their sustainability story
• Same-day or short-shelf-life retail environments

Quick Reference: Format Selector

Not sure which format suits your roastery? We send free sample packs of every format so you can feel the difference before you commit. Request a free quote and we'll organise one.

Once you've chosen your format, the next step is selecting your printing method and understanding the evolution of coffee bag design to make sure your packaging stands out.