Ever since its origins, coffee has become one of the world’s favorite drinks, and the most consumed next to water. The global coffee market is huge, with millions of people involved in its production, trade, and retail. Your local supermarket is filled with different varieties: whole bean, ground, light roast, dark roast, and production processes: honey, anaerobic, and natural. You can find a coffee shop in any city around the world, with different prices and experiences: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Some people might argue that coffee is the perfect drug because of its dependency cycle: we drink it to wake up, it disrupts our sleep cycle, so we need it again the next morning. Others suggest that drinking coffee reduces the risk of certain diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer, and type 2 diabetes. Love it or hate it, it is a profitable industry valued at approximately $100 billion per year worldwide.

Just like wine, the best coffee is the one you like. But how do you figure out which coffee to try out? For me, I always go for the one with the best packaging design—same goes for wine. This might not be the best selection method, but that’s how my designer brain works. And I bet a lot of people think the same way!

The way we brand coffee has changed a lot in recent years. Traditional colors, hand-drawn illustrations, and watercolor images of mountains and nature—like the ones that used to hang in your grandma’s living room—have been replaced by modern illustrations, sophisticated typography, and minimalism.

If you’re thinking about starting a coffee-related business, whether it’s a coffee shop or a B2C coffee roasting venture, there are some key traits to consider when developing your brand identity and packaging design:

1. Modern Design:

Coffee branding often embraces minimalism, featuring clean, uncluttered designs emphasizing simplicity. Whether vibrant or muted, the key is elegance and clarity.

2. Creative Illustrations & Graphics:

Custom artwork with original illustrations or graphics can set your brand apart and tell a compelling story.

3. Typography:

Typography plays a crucial role in shaping your brand identity. The best coffee packaging design uses stylish and modern fonts that enhance readability and convey the brand’s personality.

4. Badges & Logo Versatility:

Contemporary coffee brands often use a range of badges and logos to represent their identity. While a primary logotype is essential, incorporating additional badges—often inspired by vintage coffee shops—can create a unique and versatile brand image.

5. Transparency & Storytelling:

Providing detailed information about the coffee’s origin, flavor profile, and brewing instructions creates a meaningful experience for coffee drinkers. Each story adds value and connection to every cup.

6. Innovative Features:

Interactive elements, such as QR codes or augmented reality, offer additional information about the brand and enhance consumer interaction. These features create a more immersive relationship with your product.

7. Sustainable Packaging:

More and more brands are setting themselves apart by using sustainable packaging materials, and eco-friendly practices that will improve their product and its impact.

8. Seasonality:

Special packaging for seasonal or limited-edition products creates exclusivity and appeal. This is a great way to boost sales by offering your customers a newance outside of the everyday line of products.

Staying ahead of trends and focusing on innovative design can set your coffee brand apart in a crowded market. Whether you want to create a unique identity that is both modern and simple or engage with your customers through storytelling and incredible packaging, these elements will spark consumer interest and drive more sales. Try to apply a couple of these traits, or all of them, on your next branding project. And if you need help along the way, contact us here.