Choosing the right packaging size is more strategic than it seems. The size you choose impacts customer perception, freshness, inventory turnover, shipping costs, and even your coffee’s brand story. At Tonchant, we help roasters and brands choose practical and marketable sizes that protect the coffee’s flavor while boosting sales.

Common retail sizes and why they apply

25g to 50g (Sample/Single): Ideal for promotional giveaways, samples, and hospitality. Low production costs make them ideal for letting new customers try a roasted coffee without having to purchase a full bag.

125g (Small Gift/Mini): Perfect for specialty cafes, gift sets, and seasonal blends. It represents premium quality and encourages frequent return purchases.

250g (standard single origin coffee): This is the most common size in Europe and specialty stores. It offers both freshness and value—it’s enough for multiple brews and stirs quickly.

340g/12 oz and 450-500g/1 lb: More familiar to North American consumers. One-pound bags are ideal for frequent coffee brewers who value value.

1kg and above (bulk/wholesale): Suitable for cafes, restaurants and wholesale buyers. Especially suitable for high throughput customers or commercial kitchens.

Bag size should match baking style and customer behavior
Light roasts and single-origin micro-lot coffees are often sold in small packages (125g to 250g) because customers seek the freshest coffee and appreciate limited availability. More appealing blends and everyday roasts, on the other hand, are better suited to 340g to 500g (or 1kg for B2B platforms) packages because they offer consistent sales and better unit economics.

Consider turnover, freshness and shelf life
Roast date and turnover rate are crucial. Smaller packaging helps preserve the beans’ peak flavor because they can be consumed more quickly—perfect for small roasters and subscription models. Larger packaging also works well if the bags are larger and feature a resealable zipper, a one-way degassing valve, and a clear roast date label, allowing customers to preserve the beans after each use.

Consider packaging style and functionality
Stand-up pouches with zippers and degassing valves are a top choice for retail because they balance shelf aesthetics with freshness. Flat-bottom bags offer a premium look on the shelf and convenient shipping. For samples and single-serving products, pre-filled or drip bag formats offer consumer convenience and are well-suited for direct-to-consumer channels.

Costs, logistics and minimum standards
Smaller bag sizes typically mean higher unit packaging costs, but you can test the market with low minimum order quantities. Tonchant offers flexible digital printing and low minimum order quantities, so you can start with prototypes in 125g or 250g sizes before moving on to high-volume flexo production of 500g or 1kg bags. Consider shipping weight and volume—heavier individual packages will increase shipping costs, while flatter, smaller bags can often optimize pallet space.

Branding, labeling, and legal considerations
The size of the bag determines how much space you have to document the origin story, tasting notes, and certifications. Small bags require a simple design; larger bags allow you to tell a richer story. Don’t forget the essential label elements—net weight, roasting date, manufacturer information, and food contact safety statement—all need to be clearly printed on the package.

Practical tips for making decisions now

Start with your sales channel: Retail favors 250g; e-commerce and subscriptions are good for 125g to 340g options.

Test seasonal blends in small batches (125 grams) to gauge demand before scaling up.

Use one standard retail size for brand consistency, plus 1-2 complementary SKUs (sample + bulk) to cover all buyer profiles.

When in doubt, prioritize freshness and packaging features (valve + zipper) over a larger, single size.

How Tonchant can help you select and create the perfect bag
We provide consultation on the ideal bag construction, print layout, and material selection for each size. Tonchant offers sample prototyping, low-minimum digital printing, and scalable flexographic print production to meet your sales plans—whether you’re launching a 125g micro-batch product or a 1kg wholesale line.

Ready to choose the perfect size for your coffee? Contact Tonchant for samples, pricing, and customization recommendations to ensure your bag size aligns with your brand strategy and customer expectations.