Why Some Tin Tie Fail — and What Coffee Roasters Should Demand Instead

The Problem: When Tin Tie Bags Don’t Do Their Job

Tin tie failure is something we've all experienced with coffee bags. But for smaller specialty coffee brands and micro coffee producers, the failure of a tin tie bags can affect customer perception of the coffee quality, ultimately impacting the reputation of the coffee shop or coffee brand among customers. Tin ties are a typically an incredibly finicky type of food packaging closure; they cannot be heat-sealed to the coffee bag due to incompatibility of the materials, so tin tie closures must be glued to the bag.

Tin tie closures can be applied either using a hot glue or a self-adhesive, but when using self-adhesive tin ties, the tin tie rolls must be ordered from the tin tie manufacturer with specific spacing for the adhesive. The hot glue method allows us to customize the length of the tin ties, which can help avoid waste and improve sustainability. Another common issue is that the tin tie closures can get misaligned during transit as the bags shuffle inside the box, leading to a less tight seal that does not keep the coffee beans at their optimal freshness.

Where Manufacturers Often Go Wrong

There are a number of areas where tin-tie manufacturers go wrong. Although we can't list them all in this blog, here are some common mistakes we see with food packaging companies that manufacture food packaging for coffee producers:

Using low-grade adhesives or incompatible materials- If low-grade adhesives or incompatible materials are used, moisture and oxygen can get inside the food packaging, causing the food products inside to go stale or spoil.

Poor alignment or inconsistency in application- Poor tin-tie alignment or inconsistency in tin tie application on coffee packaging bags can be a significant issue, affecting both the appearance and the effectiveness of the fold or seal.

Lack of coffee-specific bag construction (e.g., wrong film for degassing valves + tin ties)- Some packaging companies have zero experience with coffee packaging or use discontinued materials to keep things affordable, which can result in them using the wrong film, tin-tie, or type of polyethylene.

Ignoring operator error from hand-application- If the tin ties are applied manually to your coffee packaging, several issues can arise from operator error, including improper closure, insufficient seals, and aesthetic issues that can make your coffee packaging look bad on the store shelves.

No QA/QC process- Finally, the lack of an in-house and established QA system can contribute to issues with the bag durability and functionality. If you're seeking to switch to an alternative to your existing custom printing company, ask about their quality control measures.

Why Coffee Packaging Demands Better Tin Tie Design

Ground coffee and coffee beans are just as delicate as baked goods -- they need to be stored and maintained at the appropriate temperature and exposure to oxygen and moisture can impact its aroma and taste. If you want to ensure your customers enjoy fresh and aromatic coffee beans, your coffee bags need to be resealable in nature (and no - we don't just mean a bag that can fold over!)

If your existing coffee packaging isn't resealable, your best option is to add high-quality tin-ties to your coffee bags. These tin-ties will protect the coffee inside as intended, while giving you the rest of the space on the bag to use for marketing purposes.

How CarePac Gets It Right

CarePac has taken several innovative steps to try and reduce the number of tin tie closures that fall off or are misaligned. We use very specific shipping methods to to reduce problems and maintain a high level of quality assurance throughout the manufacturing and shipping process. While we still offer completely custom manufactured products, we have recently steered smaller customers towards more consistent bag sizing. This helps keep things affordable and ensures the coffee inside your coffee bags is protected from the elements.

Here's more information about how our tin-tie coffee bags stand out from the competition:

Higher-quality tin tie adhesion
Film compatibility for coffee use (PET, foil, Kraft with valve, etc.)
Lower minimum order quantity for custom printing runs
Responsive QA and coffee bag testing

We even have an in-house tin tie application machine to ensure exact placement and consistent results at scale. Our goal is to protect the freshness of your coffee with tin-tie closures that work right the first time.

Partner with a Food Packaging Company That Understands Coffee

Looking for a coffee packaging partner that understands your brand and helps you thrive? By partnering with a food packaging company that understands coffee, like us, here's what you can expect.

Customization that Reflects Your Brand

Choose from recyclable or compostable materials to create bags that aligns with your brand's environmental values and resonates with eco-conscious consumers.

Sustainability Solutions

Choose from recyclable or compostable materials to create bags that aligns with your brand's environmental values and resonates with eco-conscious consumers.

Flexible Lead Times

CarePac provides flexible lead times to accommodate your needs, whether you need a quick turnaround or prefer a longer lead time for cost savings.

Packaging Experts at Your Service

Our team can guide you through the process, from choosing the right materials for your bags to optimizing your design for the best print quality. We'll create the tin-tie coffee bags you never knew you needed.

Grow with a Partner That Understands You

CarePac focuses on building long-term relationships, providing personalized attention and scalable packaging solutions. This way, you won't need to switch packaging providers as your business expands.

Ready to partner with CarePac and elevate your coffee packaging? Request a sample so you can see and feel the quality of our packaging firsthand or talk to a packaging expert to discuss your specific needs, troubleshoot any issues you've experienced with past suppliers, and find the perfect tin-tie packaging solution for your coffee.

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