Tea and coffee packaging
Custom tea boxes and coffee packaging for roasters and tea brands
Printed coffee boxes, tea boxes, pod cartons, gift sets and subscription mailers for UK roasters, tea blenders and cafés. The sealed bag, pouch or inner liner protects the product; the printed box around it presents your brand, carries the tasting notes and gets it to the customer. We size each box to the filled bag or tea count and print on kraft or white board, from 50 boxes.
Overview
The inner pack protects, the box presents
Coffee and tea are sensitive to air, moisture and light, and that protection is the job of the primary pack: a valved coffee bag, a foil-lined pouch, an inner bag or individually enveloped tea bags. The printed box around it is secondary packaging, so it is free to focus on brand, origin, tasting notes and brewing guidance, and to survive the journey to the customer.
That division matters when you specify. A carton for a sealed coffee bag is sized to the filled bag, which is less regular than a rigid container, so we work from a filled sample. A tea bag carton is sized to the count and the way the bags are stacked. Loose-leaf tea packed straight into a carton needs a lined carton or an inner bag, which we will discuss with you before quoting.
Tea and coffee brands are often built on craft, provenance and a recognisable look across many blends. Kraft board suits that character well, and a fixed colour or pattern system lets each blend or origin have its own identity within one family of boxes.
Challenges
What goes wrong with tea and coffee packaging, and how we specify against it
Cartons that do not fit a filled bag
Coffee bags bulge when filled, and the degassing valve adds depth. A carton sized to the flat bag will not close. We size the carton from a filled bag, or its filled dimensions, and allow for the valve and the fold at the top.
Expecting the box to keep the product fresh
A paperboard carton does not keep out air or moisture on its own. The sealed bag, pouch or liner does that. We specify the box as secondary packaging and, for loose tea going straight into a carton, raise the need for an inner bag or lined board at the start.
Too many blends to package
Roasters and tea brands often carry many blends and rotate them seasonally. A standard box printed with the brand, plus a changeable label or a printed sleeve per blend, keeps costs down and lets you add blends without new tooling.
Heavy bags in light mailers
A kilo of coffee or several bags in a subscription box is heavier than it looks. We choose the flute and board for the loaded weight so the mailer does not crush or burst in the post.
Detail lost on kraft
Kraft board is popular for tea and coffee, but fine text and pale colours can lose contrast on brown board. We recommend bold colours or a white ink base where detail matters, or white board for full-colour artwork.
Recommended packaging
Recommended packaging for tea and coffee
Product
Printed folding cartons
The everyday carton for coffee bags, tea bags and pods, printed on kraft or white board and delivered flat.
See the packagingBox style
Straight tuck end boxes
A simple carton for tea bags, pods and bagged coffee, with tucks at the back for a clean front panel.
See the packagingBox style
Crash lock bottom boxes
A locking base that carries heavier coffee bags and packs quickly on a busy roastery bench.
See the packagingBox style
Seal end boxes
Glued at both ends, a common construction for tea bag cartons and multi-pod packs.
See the packagingBox style
Sleeve boxes
A printed sleeve per blend over a standard box or bag, so one base pack serves many blends.
See the packagingProduct
Custom printed mailer boxes
For coffee and tea subscriptions and online orders, sized to one or several bags.
See the packagingProduct
Custom gift boxes
Gift and tasting sets combining tea or coffee with a mug, a scoop or brewing kit.
See the packaging
Materials
Board and materials for tea and coffee packaging
Most tea and coffee packaging uses kraft or white carton board, with corrugated for mailers. Figures are typical and vary by grade and mill; the exact board is confirmed on your quotation.
| Specification | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kraft board | 300–400 GSM | The classic look for speciality coffee and artisan tea; prints best in bold colours or with a white ink base. |
| Folding boxboard (FBB) and SBS | 300–400 GSM | White board for full-colour artwork, photographic origin imagery and fine text. |
| E flute corrugated board | About 1.5 mm | For subscription mailers and online orders carrying one or more bags. |
| Greyboard (chipboard) with printed wrap | 1.5–2 mm | Rigid board for premium tea and coffee gift sets and tasting boxes. |
Finishes
Finishes that suit the sector
Uncoated kraft
A natural, crafted look that suits roasters and loose-leaf tea brands.
Matt lamination
Protects printed white cartons from scuffing and gives a refined finish.
Foil blocking (hot foil stamping)
A foil logo or blend name for premium ranges and gift sets.
Embossing and debossing
A pressed logo on kraft that adds detail without extra ink.
Window patching
A clear film patch that shows the leaf or the bag inside the carton.
Coffee boxes
Coffee boxes usually hold a sealed, valved bag of beans or ground coffee. A tuck end or crash lock carton sized to the filled bag gives it shelf presence and a printed surface for origin, roast and tasting notes. For gifting, a rigid box or a carton with an insert can hold a bag alongside a mug or brewing kit.
Tea boxes for tea bags and loose-leaf
Tea bag cartons are sized to the count and how the bags are stacked, and are often seal end or tuck end cartons. Loose-leaf tea usually goes into a sealed inner bag first, with the carton sized to the filled bag. A window can show the leaf, and a consistent colour for each blend helps customers find their favourite.
Pod and capsule cartons
Coffee pods and capsules are sold in multiples, so the carton is sized to the stacked count with an insert or dividers if needed. A dispensing perforation or tear-open panel lets customers take pods out one at a time, and the carton carries brewing strength and compatibility details that you supply.
Gift and tasting sets
Tasting sets and gift boxes combine several small bags or tins, or tea or coffee with an accessory. A rigid lid and base or drawer box with a card insert that holds each item presents them as a curated set and is usually kept after use.
Coffee and tea subscription mailers
Subscription roasters and tea brands send regular deliveries direct to customers. A printed mailer box sized to one or several bags, with an insert if needed, protects them in transit, and printing inside the lid gives space for this month's origin story or brewing tips.
Tea and coffee questions
Questions buyers ask
Anything not covered here, put it in the notes on your quote and we will answer it directly.
Ask on your quoteDoes a coffee box keep the coffee fresh?
No, not on its own. Freshness depends on the sealed, valved bag or pouch inside. The printed box is secondary packaging that presents the product and protects the bag in transit and on the shelf.
How do you size a box for a coffee bag?
From the filled bag. Coffee bags bulge when filled and the valve adds depth, so we work from a filled sample or its filled dimensions and allow for the fold at the top.
Can loose tea go straight into a carton?
Loose tea normally goes into a sealed inner bag first, with the carton sized around it. If you want tea packed directly into the carton, tell us at the start so we can discuss a lined board or inner bag.
How can I package many blends without many box designs?
Use one base box printed with your brand and add a printed sleeve or label for each blend. You can add blends without new tooling, and the range stays consistent.
Is kraft good for coffee packaging?
Yes. Kraft is widely used by roasters and tea brands for its natural look. It prints best in bold colours; fine text and pale colours are clearer on white board or with a white ink base.
Can you make mailers for coffee subscriptions?
Yes. Printed mailer boxes sized to one or several bags suit subscription roasters and tea brands. Tell us the bag sizes and how many go in each delivery.
What is the minimum order for coffee boxes?
Orders start from 50 boxes. If you need several sizes or blends, tell us the quantity of each and we will confirm the options on your quotation.
How long does a tea or coffee packaging order take?
It depends on the style, board, finishes and quantity. Tell us your required delivery date and our team will confirm whether the timing is achievable.
Ready to specify your packaging?
Our team replies during business hours, 10:00–18:00 UK time.