Short answer: The most common label for coffee and tea is a 60x80 mm - 80x120 mm rectangle or Ø 50-70 mm round label on the front of a kraft or coloured doypack. On kraft bags, choose textured or clear for a natural look, coated paper for an economical option and opaque PP for moisture resistance and durability.
Boutique coffee roasters, tea and herbal tea brands, spice sellers... They all fill ready-made bags and brand them with labels. Instead of custom-printed bags for every product, a standard kraft bag with a product-specific label is both flexible and economical. This guide covers sizes, materials and content for coffee and tea labels.
Labels made for your bags
Textured and clear labels that look great on kraft. Sheet labels in flexible quantities.
Why Labels Instead of Printed Bags?
- One bag, many products: Use the same kraft bag for every variety and just change the label.
- Small quantities: Printed bags need high minimums. With labels you can start small.
- Flexibility: For a new variety, a seasonal blend or a price change, you only update the label.
- Harvest and roast dates: Information that changes with every batch is easy to put on a label.
Label Size by Bag Type
| Bag | Suggested Label |
|---|---|
| 250 g kraft doypack | 60x80 mm - 70x100 mm rectangle or Ø 60 mm round |
| 500 g - 1 kg kraft doypack | 80x110 mm - 90x120 mm |
| Side-gusset coffee bag | Rectangle 10-15 mm narrower than the front |
| Tea and spice boxes / tins | Rectangle to fit the height, or round on the lid |
| Bag closure seal | Ø 30-40 mm round |
Measure the flat front of your bag; on coffee bags with a degassing valve, make sure the label doesn't cover the valve. For sizes: label sizes guide.
Which Material?
- Textured paper: A perfect match for kraft with a texture you can feel. The first choice for specialty coffee and boutique tea.
- Clear: The kraft shows through and only your design stands out. A minimal, natural look.
- Coated paper: The most economical option for colourful designs.
- Opaque PP: Durability for products stored in damp warehouses or the fridge.
- Metallized: A premium, eye-catching look on black or coloured bags.
Close-up of a food label with gold and green print: a premium look on a dark background
What Should a Coffee Label Include?
The basic food label requirements (product name, net quantity, producer details, best before date, lot number) apply to coffee and tea too. Details: mandatory information on food labels. In specialty coffee, customers also look for:
- Origin (country, region, farm)
- Process (washed, natural, honey)
- Roast level and roast date
- Tasting notes
- Grind (whole bean, filter, espresso, Turkish coffee)
For tea, brewing temperature and time, blend contents and origin are what customers check most.
Design Tips
- Build a series: The same template for every variety, with a different colour or icon. It creates a strong brand block on the shelf.
- Leave space for variable information: Leave a blank area for batch details like the roast date, or use a separate small label.
- Work with the kraft colour: On clear labels, the kraft becomes part of the design. Choose dark text.
- Add a seal label: A small round logo sticker closing the bag adds a premium touch. See our round labels guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which label suits a kraft coffee bag?
Textured paper and clear labels go best with kraft. For a more colourful design, coated paper works too.
Do I need a separate label for each coffee variety?
Usually yes, each variety gets its own design. To plan different designs in the same size and material together, contact us.
How do I add the roast date to the label?
Leave a blank date area on the label and fill it with a date stamp or pen, or use a small date label for each batch.
Can I print coffee labels in small quantities?
Yes. Sheet labels have no plate costs, so you can test new varieties in small batches. Details: small-batch label printing.
In Short
A standard kraft bag and a well-designed label are the most flexible and economical packaging solution for boutique coffee and tea brands. Size the label to your bag, choose your material and see your price on the sheet labels page.
