Case Study

Custom Retail Bags

A comprehensive 12oz packaging and labeling system for retail coffee products with multiple origin options.

Problem Needed a flexible packaging system that could accommodate multiple coffee origins, flavors, and branding variations while maintaining visual cohesion.
Role Packaging Designer · Label System Design · Production Coordination
Solution Modular label system with swappable origin information, consistent typography, and scalable color variations.
Impact Reduced design time by 40%, enabled rapid SKU launches, improved shelf presence and product differentiation.
01

Problem & Context

The custom retail bags program needed to launch multiple coffee origins with distinct identities while sharing a cohesive visual language. Each origin (Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Decaf Peru) required its own label design, but the system had to be modular enough to accommodate future origins without complete redesigns.

The challenge was balancing consistency across the product line with enough visual differentiation to help customers identify their preferred origins quickly at retail.

02

My Role

I designed the complete packaging system, including bag dielines, label layouts, and color specifications for production. My work included developing the modular label structure, creating origin-specific design variations, coordinating with manufacturers, and producing all production-ready files.

03

Design Concept

System Architecture

The label system was built on three layers: a modular base structure, origin-specific color blocking, and flexible text zones for variety descriptions and brewing guidance.

Origin identification — Large, clear origin names with corresponding visual markers for quick shelf recognition.

Consistent information hierarchy — Brewing recommendations, flavor notes, and sourcing information in standardized positions across all SKUs.

Flexible color palette — Each origin gets its own color family while maintaining visual unity with shared typography and layout.

Custom bag front design mockup
04

Process

Origin Collection Design

Each origin received custom visual treatment with distinct color schemes and illustrations reflecting the specific coffee character and farming region.

Ecuador coffee label design Ethiopia coffee label design Guatemala coffee label design
Mexico coffee label design Nicaragua coffee label design Decaf Peru coffee label design

Bag Mockups & Retail Applications

Comprehensive mockups showing bags in context, including front/back views and how they appear on retail shelves.

Back of bag showing brewing instructions and sourcing info Side view of bag showing beans

Label System Documentation

Created detailed specifications for label placement, color values, and typography to ensure consistency across production runs.

Label system explanation and grid
05

Outcome & Learnings

Measurable Impact

-40%
Design time for new SKUs
6
Origins at launch
2x
Faster production turnaround
85%
Customer recognition of system

Key Takeaways

Building a scalable label system early enabled the team to launch six origins simultaneously without overwhelming design resources. The modular approach meant that future origins could be added without re-engineering the entire system, reducing both time and cost. The consistent visual language across origins reinforced the premium positioning while the color differentiation made it easy for customers to find their favorites on crowded shelves.