15 Things You Can't Forget When Ordering Custom Paper ...

17 Jun.,2024

 

15 Things You Can't Forget When Ordering Custom Paper ...

Last Updated on February 29, by Packoi Team

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Today&#;s marketplace is as competitive as it can get. To get ahead of the curve, businesses need to pay attention to many things&#; especially their strong and memorable branding. There are a myriad of opportunities to establish your brand recognition. Even your packaging and custom paper bags can create an impression. 

Simply put, don&#;t order your packaging and custom paper bags haphazardly. To avoid wasting resources, inaccurate specifications, and subpar quality, be more thoughtful and strategic when choosing packaging solutions. 

In this article, we&#;ll explore 15 things you shouldn&#;t miss when ordering custom-printed paper bags. First, let&#;s learn how to find a trusted supplier of custom paper bags, and let&#;s get started!

How to Find a Reliable Supplier of Custom Paper Bags

Not finding the right paper bag supplier can lead to costly mistakes and avoidable frustrations. Follow the steps below to ensure that you&#;re working with the right paper bag supplier that can meet your needs and budget:

1. Define Your Requirements

Before you even begin the search, the key details should have already been pinned down. For example, you should determine the quantity, size specifications, color, and customization ideas beforehand.

If the customization part is still under consideration, don&#;t worry because many packaging companies like Packoi offer full customization services as well. 

2. Conduct Online Research

Do your due diligence and look up the prospective companies&#; reputations online. Check the reviews, testimonials, and even what other customers are saying on social media. 

3. Check for Experience and Reputation

Experience usually breeds precision and reliability. Work with paper bag companies with established expertise in the field. That way, you can rest easy knowing that your personalized shopping bags are in good hands.

4. Assess their Sustainability Practices

Check the sustainability section above and see if they have some of the listed certifications. More and more consumers appreciate sustainable packaging and are keeping away from single-use plastic, so keep this in check as well.

5. Check for Certifications and Compliance

Especially if you&#;re dealing with sensitive items like food, compliance can&#;t be understated. Double-checking and triple-checking these certifications allow you to ensure quality, environmental responsibility, and product safety.

6. Start with a Trial Order

Negotiate a trial order not only to check the company&#;s suitability but also to test whether or not the specifications you have in mind are appropriate for your operations.

When starting out, you are still to on everything&#; including the size, material, design, and overall feel of your brand&#;s packaging.


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15 Things Can&#;t Forget When Ordering Custom Paper Bags

Your packaging is an extension of your brand. The following are the important considerations you shouldn&#;t forget when ordering your first batch of personalized paper bags.

1. Reliable Supplier

A reliable supplier covers all the bases, from high-quality print and packaging to timely delivery and great customer support. You&#;re not just looking for a vendor, but a business partner that will be a core part of your business for years to come. In the previous section, we covered the key steps to consider when choosing the best paper bag supplier for your business.

2. Bag Size

When choosing the sizes of the paper bags you&#;ll procure, consider the largest item you&#;re selling, how many items customers are likely to carry, and the size your clients can comfortably carry around. If you&#;re selling a lot of items with different sizes, you also need to order different sizes for both large and small items. At some point, you&#;d have to set a limit and establish at what point your staff should offer a second or third bag.

Besides the size, its overall shape and form should match the intended use, be it paper shopping bags, gift packaging, bags for baked goods, mailing bags, or just small bags for retail stores.

3. Type of Paper

The type of paper packaging and paper material you need depends on the aesthetics, smoothness, and toughness you want to go for. Most paper bags are made of:

  • Kraft Paper- Kraft paper bags generally convey an environment-friendly image, which can be great for your branding. Practically speaking, it also has high tensile strength, which makes it more durable than other types of paper. Even the food industry makes use of a lot of brown kraft paper bags because of their grease-resistant properties, and they also help the food stay fresh.

  • White Cardboard&#; It&#;s more expensive than a plain kraft bag, but it definitely is more durable and looks cleaner and more sophisticated. If you&#;re selling a premium product, pairing it with premium packaging can be a branding opportunity that can set you apart. 

  • Coated Paper&#; if you want an even more elegant and sturdy option, go for coated paper bags. It&#;s a great choice if you&#;re running a special event or seasonal or holiday promotions. And since it&#;s coated, there&#;s better reflectivity that makes your brand&#;s logo and images look brighter and sharper. 

  • Offset Paper&#; This is more affordable than other coated or specialty options. Nonetheless, it&#;s still a functional type of paper with a clean and neutral look. Plus, it&#;s very easy to source, being a very common material for custom paper bags.

  • Eco-Friendly or Recyclable Paper Bags&#; If eco-friendliness is an intimate part of your branding strategy and company values, eco-friendly or recycled paper bags are the way to go. 

  • Newsprint Paper&#; Newsprint paper bags ooze a vintage or retro feel that could be perfect if they match your brand&#;s personality. Add a laid-back charm to your branding strategy by giving newspaper bags a try.

There are different kinds of printed paper bags. There are even tissue paper and art paper bags, but just make sure that your custom paper bags match your needs and budget. Besides your budget and company philosophy, don&#;t forget to think about your customers&#; needs and preferences when choosing the perfect paper types for your customized bags and packaging.

4. Handle Type

The handles can provide both function and aesthetics. The common handles used are rope or grosgrain ribbon handles. Rope handles can be made of cotton, nylon, or paper (twisted handles). Nylon is definitely the most durable, but if your items aren&#;t that heavy, you can also go for the wonderful touch of cotton or the straightforward appeal of paper. If handles aren&#;t really necessary, you can also just opt for no handle and just fold the paper bag to close like those paper grocery bags. The customers will just hold it from the top. 

5. Durability

There are a lot of things that could affect your paper bags&#; durability. The type of paper used, the paper bag size, and whether or not it&#;s overloaded are some of the factors to consider. That&#;s why it&#;s very important to test the bags beforehand. Before you order a large quantity, go for a minimum order and consider the weight and size of your products and the ways you can reinforce your custom shopping bags. To make packaging materials sturdier, you can consider the following:

  • Double wallpaper bags
  • Bottom board
  • Higher GSM paper
  • Better handling qualities

There&#;s a sweet spot between budget-friendly custom bags and reliable functionality. By testing it out beforehand, you can create the perfect solution that fits the bill.

6. Print Quality

Your paper bags are actually walking advertisements for your business. Don&#;t let poor print quality ruin it and make sure to work with an experienced printing company or custom paper bag manufacturer that can pull off your desired print quality. The quality of the print depends on the paper of your choice, the quality of the ink itself, and the printing process involved, like screen printing. As long as you&#;re working with the right suppliers, you should be good to go. Just make sure that once you&#;re satisfied, the printed paper bags&#; quality remains consistent.

7. Color Scheme

The color of your paper bag should be based on the emotion you want to evoke. For example, green exudes a sense of calmness, health, and eco-friendliness. Blue feels serene, stable, and professional, and red screams energy, passion, and urgency.

If you don&#;t want bright colors and prefer a sleek and minimal look, you can also opt for neutral colors or simply brown kraft paper. Overall, it should tie into your niche and your existing brand styling.

8. Design & Artwork

It&#;s best to work with a professional designer or choose a packaging supplier with a team of talented designers who can work out the right colors, bag designs, and artwork that match your brand&#;s personality. A good supplier will work closely with you to finalize the design and the overall layout of the custom-printed paper bags.

9. Brand Messaging

Again, consider your paper bags as free marketing. The better your custom packaging, the better brand affinity you can establish. When other people see your customers carrying around your awesome paper bag, they&#;re likely to remember you, and if your custom packaging is just so good, they&#;ll be determined to check out your store and pay a visit for some in-person shopping. Don&#;t underestimate the right bag, because the most eye-catching ones can tell your brand&#;s story and win new customers.

10. Quantity

Many businesses have a minimum order requirement, so expect that you&#;d need to order in bulk. The exact number depends on the number of sales you usually perform each month and whether or not you have the space to house a huge order. So, consider your real estate, your actual needs, and your cash flow as well to avoid overstocking.

11. Production Time

Speaking of quantity, you also don&#;t want to order just enough. You need to set a buffer because most paper bag manufacturers have a specific lead time. You don&#;t want to run out of custom paper bags as that could only hamper your day-to-day operations and branding consistency.

12. Shipping & Handling

Paper is not a fragile item like glass, but it&#;s definitely prone to damage if not shipped and handled properly. You don&#;t want to end up with bent, creased, or torn paper bags. Thus, consider the reliability of the carrier and insurance options for a secure transit. Before you choose a paper bag manufacturer, you may ask in advance how they package the paper items and whether or not they provide enough cushioning to protect the paper bags from impact and harsh weather conditions. 

13. Sustainability Certifications

It&#;s easy for manufacturers to claim that their products are indeed eco-friendly. To validate their credibility, you can ask about their sustainability certifications. As for whether or not their products have any of the following:

  • FSC Certification
  • Sedex Membership
  • GOTS Certification
  • OEKO-TEX Standard 100
  • GRS Certification
  • UKFT Membership
  • ISO & Certification
  • Higg Index membership

14. Cost

While it&#;s great to have the best packaging, you also need to think about revenue. The key is to choose a practical option that still supports the branding and identity you want to uphold. It&#;s best to carefully consider all the factors above right from the start and avoid changing paper bags too often because the longer you use the same packaging, the more memorable your brand will be. 

15. Legal Requirements

Perhaps your region has established recycling programs that prohibit the use of plastic bags and promote recycled and eco-friendly bags. Make sure to consider that as well to comply with the requirements of your area. In terms of procurement, before you send a deposit, there should be a contract in place with warranties and indemnification clauses to protect you against product liability. 


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Perfect Custom Paper Bags

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Ask For A Quote Now&#;

Conclusion

The quality, relevance, and aesthetics of your custom-printed paper bags represent your brand&#;s attention to detail. It may not seem like a major facet, but it can actually be a game-changer depending on how you present it and who you&#;re working with to bring the best quality and packaging design to life.

Custom Your Perfect Branded Paper Bags with Packoi!

Elevate your brand&#;s presence and create a lasting impression with Packoi&#;s custom paper bag solutions. Whether you&#;re aiming to enhance your retail packaging, stand out at events, or promote your business in an eco-friendly way, Packoi is here to turn your vision into reality. With our commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovative design, we offer a seamless process to customize paper bags that not only meet your needs but also exceed your expectations.

Don&#;t miss out on the opportunity to showcase your brand in every detail. Click here to start crafting your perfect branded paper bags with Packoi today!

Let Packoi help you make a statement with packaging that speaks volumes about your brand&#;s commitment to quality and sustainability.

The Roaster's Guide to Coffee Packaging

From bags, valves, designs, printing, and stickers; coffee packaging can feel like a big mess! Learn more about coffee bag packaging & design.

When shopping for coffee, consumers consider everything from the roast level to the brand's location.

But the most influential factor? Coffee bag design and packaging.  70% of consumers report that packaging design has a major influence on their decision to buy a product. Researchers tend to give packaging anywhere from  30 to 90 percent of the credit for a customer's purchasing decision.

Whether you're selling your coffee in  grocery stores, your shop, or  online, your coffee bag design is one of the most meaningful interactions a person has with your brand. Not only does your coffee packaging design help raise brand awareness, it also helps your coffee business stand out from the crowd and attract more coffee lovers and customers.

In our guide, we'll show you everything you need to know about designing your coffee bags, including:

  • 3 components your coffee packaging needs for quality, freshness, and compliance

  • The 4 important packaging decisions every roaster must make

  • How to create a coffee bag design that sells

By the time you're done reading, you'll be fully prepared to start developing your coffee brand's coffee bags.

3 Components Your Coffee Packaging Must Have

At a bare minimum, we suggest your bags include the following components:

  • One-Way Valve: To maintain peak freshness and allow the coffee to degas, your coffee bag design must include a one-way valve. This valve lets CO2 escape and prevents oxygen from getting in. Today's coffee lovers know to look for this valve and will pass on a coffee if it is not part of the packaging.

  • Resealing Capabilities: Coffee exposed to oxygen for a long time becomes muted in flavors and characteristics. Help customers keep their coffee fresh and flavorful by including a convenient way to reseal the coffee bag. This can include a ziplock zipper, a tin tie, or other creative solution.

  • Local Legal Requirements: Check with your local health department to see if they have specific packaging and/or labeling requirements. For example, in Connecticut, coffee roasters must include the product name/type, product net weight/volume, and address with a zip code on their bag.

None of these components are negotiable. You must include all three to sell the freshest-and law abiding-coffee around.

4 Packaging Decisions Every Coffee Roaster Must Make

There are so many creative and useful coffee packaging options available to roasters today. From bags with windows to display the coffee beans to beautifully designed five-pound flat bottom bags, the sky's the limit!

To find the best coffee packaging for your budget, coffee, and brand, you'll have to make four important decisions:

1. Packaging Type

Your first decision will guide the rest: what type of coffee packaging do you want?

There are four main options:

Gusseted Bags

Gusset bags were more common in the late s and early s, but can still be seen on shelves today. Older Starbucks bags are a great example of this structure.

While these bags are affordable, the smaller top tends to be a nuisance for roasters when filling with coffee.

Flat Bottom Bags

Flat bottom bags are growing in popularity among coffee roasters. Their sturdy design makes filling them a breeze, offers more design opportunities with five visible sides, and makes storage easier for customers. Some manufacturers also let roasters include a design on the inside of the bags.

However, due to the enhanced customization options available, flat bottom coffee bags tend to be more expensive (nailing that customer experience isn't cheap!).

Stand Up Pouch

Another classic coffee bag structure, the stand up pouch is a common choice among roasters. Think of stand up pouches as the middle ground between functionality, design, and cost. Methodical Coffee and Passenger Coffee's bag designs are excellent examples of this bag in action.

With your choice of materials and customizations, like the convenient tear-away top, stand up pouches are a great option for new roasters looking for an affordable and attractive bag design.

Flat Pouches

If you want to learn more, please visit our website wholesale kraft bag manufacturers.

Flat pouch bags are your typical two-sided bags, often found in hotel rooms or as single-serve Steeped Coffee products.

These bags are available in smaller sizes. However, if you're looking to stand out online or in a grocery store, offering single-serve coffee options in a flat pouch can be beneficial.

Alternative Coffee Packaging

Many roasters decide to use creative packaging choices like jars and boxes to help their coffee stand out.

Of course, by taking this route, you may run into challenges like:

  • Difficulty sourcing the right packaging materials consistently

  • Creating a custom design to oddly-shaped packages

  • Sticking to a budget-the more creative, the more costly

Carefully look through your budget and weigh your options to decide if alternative packaging is a viable choice for your company goals.

2. What Packaging Materials/Substrates Should You Choose?

When it comes to designing coffee packaging, there are two common materials (also known as substrates): kraft and matte.

Kraft bags are your classic brown-ish paper bags. They're low-fi, simple, and tend to have a handmade vibe. Matte bags come in every color imaginable and are often the choice of established roasters who want to go all-out on a full bag design.

Each material has advantages and disadvantages:

Kraft Bags:

Pros:

  • Most affordable coffee packaging material

  • Can buy larger quantities without breaking the bank

  • Ideal for those specializing in wholesale and subscriptions

  • 100% natural, biodegradable, and compostable.

Cons:

  • Will need to purchase additional stamps, stickers, or labels to customize the bag design

  • May not appeal to a more &#;upscale&#; clientele

Matte Bags:

Pros:

  • Endless customization and artwork capabilities including holographic or metallic elements, hot stamping, and varying color palettes.

  • Made from multiple layers to ensure coffee freshness and shelf life

  • Many manufacturers offer recyclable or green matte packaging options

  • Appeal to a wide audience

Cons:

  • More expensive than generic kraft bags

  • Order quantities will depend on bag design, size, and structure

  • Requires a film of aluminum to protect coffee, which can be a detriment to those valuing sustainability

Sustainability: A Major Materials Consideration

One McKinsey study found that more than half of US consumers are highly concerned about the environmental impact of product packaging.

Ironically, when asked about their purchase decision factors, environmentally-conscious packaging was rated as the least important consideration. Yet, the report also noted that 60-70% of consumers also stated they were willing to pay higher prices for products packaged in sustainable or recyclable materials.

In other words, customers don't find sustainable packaging to be essential, but they find it beneficial enough to pay extra for. If your customers are highly concerned about the environment and value sustainability, opt for materials such as:

  • Kraft paper

  • Rice paper

  • Sustainable inks

  • Low-density polyethylene (100% recyclable materials)

Some manufacturers also offer a "Zero Waste" option, where roasters can return used coffee bags to be properly recycled, but this typically only applies to bags that are used in-house, since most of your customers won't bring empty bags back to you.

3. Bag Size

The size of your coffee bag will influence future decisions such as product pricing, design opportunities, and retail space availability.

Common size options include:

  • 8 oz

  • 10 oz

  • 12 oz

  • 1 lb

  • 2 lb

  • 5 lb

12 ounce and 5 pound bags are the most frequently used bags for coffee in North America, meaning they'll likely be available at a more affordable price. Keep in mind, custom sizes will require a custom quote.

We recommend choosing a bag size that fits your business model. For instance, wholesale coffee roasters will need to purchase 5 pound bags as well as typical 12 ounce or 1 pound retail bags to sell to clients.

Or, if you're running a high-end subscription service specializing in rare coffees, an 8 ounce bag may suit you just fine.

4. Manufacturer

Once you have a framework of what type and size of coffee packaging you'll need, the next step is to find a manufacturer who can meet your needs. Among the many manufacturers specializing in coffee bag designs and packaging are:

Aside from offering the type of coffee bags you'd like, keep these factors in mind when vetting a possible manufacturer.

  • Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ) - Each manufacturer has a minimum order quantity for their products. Some offer low quantities such as 100-1,000 bags while others require 10,000+. One way roasters accommodate large MOQs is by using a single bag design for all coffees. Each bag then receives a label, sticker, or tag with information specific to each coffee

  • Turnaround Times - Due to the global pandemic, turnaround times at coffee packaging manufacturers around the globe are staggering or delayed, especially if shipments are being sent overseas. Be prepared to wait several weeks, if not months, for your bags to arrive. If you need your bags ASAP, a rush or expedited fee will apply.

  • Budget - After speaking with the manufacturer about design options and MOQs, take a look at what the price per bag is. Does this price point fit into your budget? Will you need to raise the prices of your coffee to cover the cost of the bags? Is there a lower price available for a higher order quantity?

Pro Tip:  Ask what discounts are available. The answer is always "No" until you ask!

Most importantly, always ask for design proofs.

Thoroughly review these proofs for any mistakes or misinformation. Have multiple people do so, too. There is nothing more frustrating than paying for thousands of bags only to notice a design or copy flaw once production is complete.

It's well worth the small proofs fee to avoid a potential and expensive printing disaster.

After you've found the right manufacturer for your coffee bags, it's time to move on to the fun part: design.

How to Design a Coffee Bag that Sells

When customers shop online or at the grocery store for coffee, they don't know what your coffee tastes like. They will likely make their decision solely based on the bag design and information available to them.

Your coffee bag needs to stand out by telling your story through clear copy and captivating design concepts.

Clear Brand Messaging & Coffee Information

Today's coffee bag trends range from plain designs to quirky illustrations like at Little Wolf Coffee. While the design catches the eye of the consumer, the bag copywriting (the written part) will seal the deal.

1 in 4 consumers state they always read the label when shopping. This is the perfect opportunity to sell them on your company and coffee.

Your bag should include authentic messaging that explains:

  • Who you are. Include company information such as your logo, website, and location. 

  • What you do. Are you a coffee roaster? Do you own a coffee shop(s)? Do you specialize in a particular type of coffee? Tell potential customers exactly what they need to know about your business.

  • What you stand for. For many companies, their philanthropic, social, or personal beliefs are what drive the brand. If this aligns with your company values, make sure your ethos and mission are clearly stated on the bag so you can stand out in the mind of the customer. Generic beans from generic brands don't sell well.

Make sure the bag communicates important coffee details too. Admittedly, this is the tricky part. Deciding what coffee information to include will depend on your brand and your consumers.

For instance, does your audience care about the altitude the coffee bean was grown at or the specific certifications the farm may have? Or, are they more concerned about flavor notes and roast level?

At the bare minimum, be sure to include:

  • Coffee/Origin Name

  • Roast Date

  • Tasting Notes

  • Roast Level

Bag Design that Captures Customer's Attention

All of your packaging decisions lead you to the final step: the design.

The bag design must accomplish several objectives:

  • Capture the customer's attention in-store and online

  • Align with your brand standards and mission

  • Convince the customer to purchase your coffee

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shorr Packaging Corp discovered that almost half of customers have purchased products they were previously unfamiliar with,  solely due to packaging design and copy.

Some of the successful coffee packaging design trends we've seen recently are story driven packaging, organic elements, typography led design, and holograph effect packaging.

As you design your coffee bags, consider the following:

  • Product Placement - Will your bag be sold in retail or grocery stores? If so, it needs to stand out from the competition. Use colors, illustrations, and shapes that align with your brand, but also catch the eye of passersby.

  • Color Psychology - As humans, we associate colors with certain principles or meanings. For instance, when we see green product packaging, we think of concepts like all-natural, eco-friendly, recyclable, and even healthy eating. Think about what colors will resonate with your target market and communicate your brand message.

  • Brand Image - No matter if you choose a flashy look or a minimalist design, it must be true to your brand image. Customers will be able to see through the fluff and gimmicks! Don't force a design that doesn't make sense for your brand just to be "trendy."

In the end, slick design will win over customers at first, but it's not a moat to build a business on. Make sure to infuse your design with mission, narrative, and values to give those first-time customers a compelling reason to choose you a second time.

Inspiring Coffee Packaging Examples

Onyx Coffee Lab

As the SCA Design in Coffee winner, Onyx Coffee Lab's new packaging design is an inspiration for roasters everywhere. Intending to communicate coffee quality and expertise, Onyx took an unexpected route and used texture, jewel tones, and embossing to their advantage. The boxes are also an elegant touch, as they reveal a matching-yet simple-bag design inside.

You can't help but be entranced by Onyx Coffee Lab's packaging choices!

J.René Coffee Roasters

With a constantly changing lineup of single origin coffees, producing a new bag design for each new offering is not always a sustainable option. J.René Coffee Roasters tackled this challenge by developing a single bag design that leverages a separate tag to communicate relevant coffee information.

An unexpected benefit to this design choice is that customers save the tags so they can remember which coffees they enjoyed and purchase again.

Felix Roasting Co.

Known for their unbelievably beautiful NYC coffee shops, Felix Roasting Co. extends this sophisticated brand image to their coffee packaging. From whimsically designed coffee pouches to bespoke coffee tins, there's no denying this packaging design catches your attention!

This approach not only encapsulates the brand's personality and image but also relays the high quality of the coffee inside.

Boomtown Coffee

Boomtown Coffee takes coffee packaging to the next level. Each beautiful bag design also contains an informational insert and sleeve. As you interact with each component of the design, more artwork or coffee information appears. Plus, there are more fun surprises inside (aside from the expertly roasted coffee) once you open the bag!

It's Time to Design Your Coffee Bags and Packaging

Yes, it takes time, effort, and a lot of critical decisions to develop the right packaging for your coffee company.

But you know what takes even more time? Learning to roast on a traditional roaster.

Get your coffee roasting business up and running in weeks, not months (or years) with the Bellwether Roaster.

We've taken the best components of traditional roasting and combined them with scalable technology to make it easier for everyone to roast specialty coffee. Designing your coffee bags will take you longer than learning how to roast with a Bellwether!

Check out how Bellwether Roasters are transforming the coffee industry and putting the power of roasting in your hands.

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