Stand-Up Pouches vs Flat-Bottom Bags vs Tins for Coffee: Which Format Wins? (2026)
Three Bags. Three Brand Signals. One Decision.
Your coffee packaging tells customers who you are before they read a word. A kraft stand-up pouch says "friendly neighborhood roaster." A flat-bottom bag says "we belong on a specialty grocery shelf." A tin says "give this as a gift."
All three keep coffee fresh. All three hold degassing valves. The differences are cost, shelf presence, and brand position.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Stand-Up Pouch | Flat-Bottom Bag | Metal Tin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelf presence | ⭐⭐⭐ Good | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very good |
| Barrier performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Degassing valve | ✅ Standard | ✅ Standard | ✅ Available |
| Resealable | ✅ Zipper | ✅ Zipper | ✅ Friction lid |
| Print area | Front + back | Front + back + side panels | 360° wrap |
| Brand signal | Accessible, approachable | Premium specialty | Gift-worthy, artisan |
| Cost (12oz, 5K qty) | $0.38 | $0.65 | $2.20 |
| Sustainability | ⭐⭐⭐ Improving | ⭐⭐⭐ Improving | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Recyclable |
| MOQ | 500 | 500 | 1,000 |
Stand-Up Pouches: The Volume Champion
70% of US coffee brands use stand-up pouches. They're the format customers expect. The cost efficiency at volume makes them the right choice for most roasters — especially online-first brands.
Go with pouches when:
- Your primary channel is DTC/e-commerce (lighter = lower shipping cost)
- Per-unit packaging budget needs to stay under $0.50
- You're ordering 5K+ units per month
- You sell primarily through your website, farmers markets, or cafes
Flat-Bottom Bags: The Grocery Shelf Play
Flat-bottom bags look like a box standing on the shelf. 40% more face-forward real estate than a stand-up pouch. If you're targeting Whole Foods, local groceries, or specialty food stores, this is the format that says "we belong here."
Go with flat-bottom when:
- Your distribution includes retail grocery or specialty stores
- You want maximum shelf presence competing against established brands
- Your retail price is $14+ per bag (margin supports the format cost)
- Brand perception matters more than per-unit savings
Tins: The Gift and Brand Equity Play
Metal tins are the only coffee format customers keep after finishing the coffee. That's brand equity sitting on someone's kitchen counter for months. Tins work for gift sets, holiday editions, and premium single-origin showcases.
Go with tins when:
- Selling through gift retail channels (boutiques, gift shops, airport stores)
- Holiday or limited-edition releases
- Your retail price is $18+ for the size (tin cost needs margin coverage)
- Brand-building is a priority over volume
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same valve in all three formats?
Yes. Our one-way degassing valves work in pouches, flat-bottom bags, and tins. The valve is heat-sealed into flexible bags and press-fit into tin lids. Same $0.04/unit cost regardless of format.
Which format is best for subscription boxes?
Stand-up pouches. They're the lightest (lowest shipping cost), most compact (fit more in a mailer), and cheapest per-unit. A 12oz pouch + mailer box ships for less than a 12oz tin alone.
Do flat-bottom bags cost that much more than pouches?
About 65-70% more at 5K quantity. A 12oz stand-up pouch with valve costs $0.38. The same 12oz in flat-bottom runs $0.65. That's $0.27 more — and the retail shelf presence increase often drives 15-20% higher sell-through to justify it.
Need samples to compare? Request all three formats — we'll send 12oz samples of each so you can compare on your shelf. Or browse coffee & tea packaging options.