Side gusset pockets are used to provide more space and flexibility and are gaining popularity among specialty coffee roasters. Not only are they lightweight and cost-effective, but they also offer lots of space and strength, making them ideal for long hauls.
When combined with the flat base, Side Gusset Pouch allow for efficient upright storage, while additional components such as vent valves and resealable zippers can be added for easy access.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of side gusseted bags, however, is their extra branding space: five sides maximize opportunities for coffee businesses to communicate their brand message and connect with customers.
Read on to learn more about Side Gusset Pouch and their benefits for specialty coffee roasters.
1. What are side pockets?
Simply put, gussets are a material that can add space and flexibility to your packaging. It is a panel that folds flat, but opens when items are placed in it.
Gussets can be added to the sides of the pack for added flexibility and space, or to the bottom of the pack for stability.
Thus, a side gusseted coffee bag is a coffee bag that has gussets on both sides, forming a box-like shape when fully opened and unfolded. When combined with a flat bottom, Side Gusset Pouch offer specialty coffee roasters a strong, flexible and roomy packaging option.
To make Side Gusset Pouch, packaging manufacturers pass selected packaging material through a plow, folding its bottom into a W-shaped gusset. They make a vertical seal on each side and seal the bottom fold of the bag to hold the W gussets together at the ends.
Next, they cut the bag vertically from the center of each side seal to create a sealed area. Once filled with coffee, the package is sealed with a zipper, spout or fastener, and then a final seal is added on top. Sometimes a notch is added.
Side Gusset Pouch can be made from a range of sustainable materials, from kraft paper and polylactic acid (PLA) to rice paper and low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
2. Benefits of Side Gusset Pouch for specialty coffee roasters
For specialty coffee roasters, choosing the perfect packaging for their products can be difficult. While maintaining freshness and protecting the coffee inside may be their top concern, it’s also important to consider how the package will look once it hits the shelf.
According to a recent consumer survey, almost one-third of all purchasing decisions are based on packaging. However, with consumers exposed to over 40,000 different brands every time they go to the supermarket, capturing attention can be a challenge.
Side corner pockets present a great opportunity for specialty coffee roasters to stand out from their competitors and communicate their brand identity with their ample branding space. When filled with coffee, the side gussets unfold to reveal additional space where roasters can connect with customers and showcase the quality of their product
This extra ad space can be used to include information about where the coffee originated, the people behind its production, how it was processed, and how it tastes in the cup. Some roasters may also choose to include brewing instructions to ensure customers get the best coffee possible.
In a blog post on its website, brand design agency Salad Creative writes: “In its simplest form, product packaging is an advertisement for your brand. Consumers may be more likely to leave a product on the kitchen counter if it is properly packaged. , or proudly carry it to and from work. It makes the brand and product recognizable, but also part of the storytelling.”
Aside from its branding potential, side pockets are also one of the most sustainable types of packaging for coffee. Their design means that, although they can hold a lot of coffee, they are extremely light to transport and take up very little space in the container. This helps reduce your carbon footprint over time.
A 2019 survey led by Hotwire found that 47% of consumers have abandoned products and services from brands that violated their personal values. As environmental protection is a top priority, it is vital for specialty roasters to use packaging that limits their environmental impact.
3. What to keep in mind when choosing a Side Gusset Pouch
While Side Gusset Pouch offer a solid option for specialty coffee roasters, they do have certain drawbacks.
Corina Ye is a Senior Account Manager at MTPak Coffee. Before opting for a side-gusset bag for packaging, roasters should be aware that the structural advantages of the bag are only apparent when the bag is full — it becomes less robust as the coffee is consumed, she said. Roasters may prefer a stand-up pouch for a package that remains upright regardless of the amount of coffee inside.
You also can’t seal it with a traditional pouch zipper, she adds. The zipper needed to join the two sides of the pack together, and the side gussets made this challenging. Spouts and other reclosable or resealable openings (such as tin ribbons) are often preferred for this type of packaging.
Once the roaster has filled the coffee bag, the top or bottom horizontal heat seal keeps it airtight until the customer opens it. Once opened, however, the tin tie doesn’t make it a perfect seal — though it will keep your coffee fresh and prevent spills. This may make Side Gusset Pouch unsuitable for bulk packaging.
Corina recommends that to prevent loss of freshness and ensure you enjoy the best coffee possible, consider using a degassing valve. A degassing valve is a one-way vent that allows carbon dioxide (CO2) to escape and oxygen to escape.
While they are not essential to all coffee bags, their inclusion provides consumers with greater flexibility while eliminating the risk of bag rupture due to carbon dioxide buildup.
The Side Gusset Pouch offer the baker the best of both worlds. If you are looking for an affordable coffee packaging solution that allows you to store more coffee with less material, then this option is for you.