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When it comes to glassware decoration, the most common printing techniques are screen and digital printing, each one bringing something unique to the table. Boelter’s Custom Deco print facility specializes in both screen printing and digital printing, as well as decal application and other specialty finishes. Whether you’re going for bold simplicity or full-color impact, we’ll help you choose the right method for your brand, your budget, and your timeline. 

Screen Print vs. Digital Print

Screen printing is the classic choice, especially when you need crisp lines, spot colors, and durability at scale. Screen printing involves creating a screen, which is essentially a mesh stencil, for each color in the design that you’re printing. The printing process pushes ink through the screen onto the glass. The design is then cured by UV light, or by heat for ceramic enamel inks, to permanently bond it.   

 

Digital printing is a computer-driven process that applies the design directly onto the glass with print heads, blending four base colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) into full-color images before curing them with UV light. Digital printing is perfect for when your design is complex, colorful or photographic, and when speed and flexibility matter.   

 

Screen Print

 

Digital Print

Comparing Print Techniques
Review the chart below for a more detailed comparison of our printing techniques.
  Screen (UV) Digital (UV)
Artwork Considerations Clean logos, bold graphics, fine lines and small text Photos, detailed artwork, complex color fades
Expanded print heights on straight sided items
Color Range Up to 7 solid colors or 4-color process
Well suited for large blocks of color
Single spot color halftones
4 color process, no spot colors
Large blocks of color will be pixelated
No metallics
MOQ Best for high volume, or 1-color art of any volume Ideal for low to mid volume multi-color
Benefits Near-limitless color capabilities, glossy finish, 4CP capable, some gradients, special effects like glitter, iridescent, Ceramic enamel ink option. Broad color palate can be achieved with 4CP, low MOQ, lower cost relative to screen print for smaller orders due to reduced setup and no screens
Ideal Use Case Sharp detail, clean logos, text, and graphic shapes
Cost effective for high-volume orders with consistent design
Solid color coverage
Full-color images, photographic images, rich gradients, and fine detail
Designs with custom elements like names or QR codes
Great for quick turns, special events, test runs, and other limited editions or small batch runs
No screens required
Seamless, full-wrap capabilities
1200 DPI – High resolution
Drawbacks Full wrap designs may require a small design gap or additional screens
Each color requires its own screen
Limited to cylindrical items with relatively flat sides, no spot colors
Large blocks of color will be pixelated
No metallic capabilities
Small type and trademarks may appear transparent

Decal Decoration

Sometimes your artwork is highly detailed, includes more than 8 colors, or falls outside standard print areas. This is when decals are the best option. They offer maximum flexibility in both placement and design. Decals are applied by hand and cured for durability. They are offered in UV, ceramic enamelsand organic inks Decals require longer lead times and a higher cost due to hand application. When screen printing and digital printing are not an option, decals deliver. 

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A Quick Guide to UV and Ceramic Enamel Inks

When screen printing, we offer UV inks or Ceramic Enamel inks. Each offers different benefits depending on your design, glass type, and order size.

UV (ultraviolet) inks cure instantly with light, locking in bold color and crisp detail the moment they’re printed. They are eco-friendly with no harmful solvents. Whether screen printed or applied through direct-to-glass digital printing, UV inks are a powerful option for vibrant, detailed artwork and high-speed decoration. 

 

Ceramic enamel inks (also known as NLV) are traditional ceramic-based inks that are fired onto the glass at high temperatures, creating a permanent, dishwasher safe finish. They’re great for spot-color designs up to 8 colors and are extremely scratch resistant. Ceramic enamel is compatible with a wide range of glass shapes and is a great fit for full wraps and extended imprint areas. 

A Quick Guide to UV and Ceramic Enamel Inks

When screen printing, we offer UV inks or Ceramic Enamel inks. Each offers different benefits depending on your design, glass type, and order size.

UV (ultraviolet) inks cure instantly with light, locking in bold color and crisp detail the moment they’re printed. They are eco-friendly with no harmful solvents. Whether screen printed or applied through direct-to-glass digital printing, UV inks are a powerful option for vibrant, detailed artwork and high-speed decoration. 

 

Ceramic enamel inks (also known as NLV) are traditional ceramic-based inks that are fired onto the glass at high temperatures, creating a permanent, dishwasher safe finish. They’re great for spot-color designs up to 8 colors and are extremely scratch resistant. Ceramic enamel is compatible with a wide range of glass shapes and is a great fit for full wraps and extended imprint areas. Check out our wide range of color capabilities when using NLV ink.

 

UV (Ultraviolet) Inks

 

Ceramic Enamel Inks

Comparing Ink Types
Review the chart below for a more detailed comparison of our ink options when screen printing.
  UV Ceramic Enamel
Artwork Considerations Vivid color and crisp detail — great for logos, gradients, and fine lines Compatible with a wide range of glass shapes
Great for full wraps and extended imprint areas.
Color Range Up to 7 colors
Color match to specific pantones
Glossy color finish
Up to 8 colors
Choose from a wide range of stock colors
Softer, more classic color finish
Special Effects Special effects like glitter, iridescent, raised varnish Real metallic capabilities, glow-in-the-dark, chalkboard inks, other unique capabilities
Adhesion Performance Resists fading and wear. When handled properly, will maintain color, gloss and vibrancy for the life of the deco Highly scratch resistant, however it will slowly dull over time
Ideal Use Case Vivid color, crisp detail, and fine lines
Finish resists fading
Pantone color match
Highly scratch resistant
Unique glass shapes
Full wraps and extended imprint areas
Metallic finishes like gold, copper, silver
Drawbacks More susceptible to scratching, especially when hot
No real metallic finishes
Limited color palette
Duller finish and color will fade over time

Ready to Bring Your Brand to Life?

You’ve chosen the perfect glass along with the right decorating technique and ink type to make your brand shine. Now you’re ready for that extra something that’s going to make your customers feel that this is the only brand for them. We offer countless specialty finishes that go above and beyond to make your brand stand out from the crowd.
Explore Specialty Finishes
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Explore styles, order minimums, and more.
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