Coffee Design: Tectonic Coffee In Los Angeles, California

Among the many highlights at the Los Angeles Coffee Festival, one that stood out was getting my hands upon the new packaging of Tectonic Coffee. Tectonic Coffee, formerly Take Flight Coffee, is a California-based roaster founded by Deaton Pigot. The package debuted recently and is more than pretty colors and beautiful art—no, what takes this to the next level is the clever implementation of QR codes found upon each box. A scan of the code takes any consumer armed with a mobile device deeper into the coffee’s story, complete with detailed descriptions of its origin and roast and even goes into specific brew parameters. It’s the future—we’ve arrived! We scanned Founder and CEO Deaton Pigot’s QR code to learn more.

Tell us a bit about your company.

We are a small but mighty team of six with a combined coffee experience of 55+ years. Hailing from the likes of Intelligentsia, Toby’s Estate Coffee USA, Handsome Coffee, and Verve just to name a few. We have long-lasting Direct Trade relationships throughout Central and South America and roast to perfection here in Los Angeles CA since 2016.

We’re also making big strides into Technology with software that promote transparency, accountability, education, and aid our wholesale partners in their quest to increase online sales.

Who designed the package?

Julie Ticknor of J+T Design did the bones of the design, with some finessing from our in-house team.

What coffee information do you share on the package?

 

We share a lot! ­

Label:

• Country
• Farm/ producer
• Process
• Altitude
• Variety
• Tasting Notes

On the bag inside we have unique QR codes for all of our Single Origin Coffees which share more metadata.

• Coffees Story
• Sensorial Graph
• Customer ratings
• Roasting Curves
• Roast Time
• Roast Development
• End Time
• End Temp
• Roasters name
• Brew Recipes
• Chemex
• V60
• Espresso
• Photo of the day (a fun way to bring personality to each day we roast)

What’s the motivation behind that?

We are looking for ways to engage with our customers, not just with a label but with the ability to interact directly through their phones. This provides all the information right at their fingertips without having to type in URL’s or do a google search. It is a nice seamless way for our home coffee brewers to be involved and engaged.

Why are aesthetics in coffee packaging so important?

It is an expression of our creativity and personality. We love this packaging because it provides a balance with the feel of Kraft paper and the texture of the embossed logo. Every aspect adds to the experience of our coffee.

Where is the bag manufactured?

Both the boxes are manufactured in the USA, we print the labels in house, using a Primera LX900 label
maker.

For package nerds, what type of package is it?

Our box is made from .024 Kraft Bending Chipboard, which is a 100% recycled material made from 50% post waist and is 100% recyclable.

Is the package recyclable/compostable?

Yes

Where is it currently available?

We are available worldwide for wholesale and the home user, with online ordering for both B2B and B2C. If you want our coffee we have you covered wherever you are!

If you want to enjoy our coffee made by your favorite barista let us know where and we’ll try to make it happen for you.

Zachary Carlsen is a co-founder and editor at Sprudge Media Network. Read more Zachary Carlsen on Sprudge.