Onda Origins set out to build a coffee brand where sustainability is more than a marketing claim. But as the Seattle-based roaster prepared to launch a bold new brand identity, it faced a critical challenge: finding packaging that could deliver verified recyclability, protect coffee freshness, and support full-coverage, high-fidelity printing so each coffee’s grower story could be told on pack. When a previous supplier failed to deliver on curbside recyclability promises, Onda Origins returned to a trusted partner to develop a packaging solution aligned with its environmental commitments, brand vision, and operational needs.
TricorBraun Flex has had a longstanding partnership with Onda Origins, providing hot-stamp packaging for their original coffee bags. When Onda Origins decided to rebrand with a fresh, vibrant design that celebrated each coffee’s origin, the brand explored alternative solutions for its 12-ounce packaging. They ultimately chose another supplier that promised fully curbside-recyclable bags before returning to TricorBraun Flex.
“We were frustrated by being misled and had a year’s worth of coffee bags that didn’t deliver on the sustainability promise we made to our customers,” said Sarah Johnson, Production Manager, Onda Origins. “TricorBraun Flex knows our people and our business — we trust them, so it was an easy decision to re-engage them to deliver a packaging solution that truly supports our goals.”
A Sustainable Packaging Solution that Preserved Design Integrity
Onda Origins sought an environmentally friendly solution that would not compromise coffee freshness. Their rebrand design — led by Parker Studio — features specialty artwork highlighting individual growers, so Onda Origins also required packaging that allowed for full design coverage — front, back, and sides — to tell each coffee’s unique story.
“TricorBraun Flex recommended a custom digitally printed, recycle-ready block bottom bag for Onda Origins’ 12-ounce coffee,” said Tricia Beck, Packaging Consultant, TricorBraun Flex. “This monomaterial polyethylene bag includes a one-way degassing valve that releases excess gases to preserve coffee freshness while making recycling easier for consumers at participating retail drop-off locations.”
TricorBraun Flex also incorporated a high moisture and oxygen barrier along with a white Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) inner layer, making the bags completely opaque.
“The original supplier’s bags appeared to be slightly translucent,” said Johnson. “TricorBraun Flex’s recycle-ready block bottom bag material felt far superior to anything we’ve seen, and the bags seal more securely. This made a huge difference in elevating our brand with a high-quality look and feel.”
According to Johnson, the original supplier’s matte-only printing capabilities also limited Onda Origins’ design vision. For Onda Origins’ limited reserve coffees, TricorBraun accommodated their design needs, providing a custom digital printing solution that paired a matte finish for the brand’s logo with a glossy finish for the rest of the packaging. This produced a visually striking design that showcased the specialty of reserve coffees and preserved the brand’s identity while resonating with its customers.
Although Onda Origins had multiple SKUs and distinctive packaging designs to represent each grower origin, TricorBraun’s digital printing solution provided the flexibility to meet the brand’s minimum order quantity requirements and offered faster lead times than the previous supplier. According to Johnson, the proximity of TricorBraun Flex’s warehouse to Onda Origins’ Seattle headquarters was instrumental in helping the brand manage inventory and replenish efficiently, ensuring continuity of supply.
Onda Origin’s Rewarding Return to TricorBraun Flex
Returning to TricorBraun Flex had a fantastic payoff. Consumers loved the new rebrand and packaging, according to Johnson.
“We couldn’t be happier,” said Johnson. “Tricia is amazing, and TricorBraun Flex has the knowledge and expertise we can rely on. The entire team is always on top of everything, fully informed, and incredibly responsive. Whenever I have a question, I know TricorBraun Flex is right at my fingertips.”
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Whether you’re looking for a stock package or a groundbreaking custom design, TricorBraun’s proven process will guide your packaging decisions from napkin sketch all the way to the retail shelf.