Trends in Digitally Printed Drinkware

Digitally Print on Drinkware 

For the most stunning full-color graphics, with print techniques that wow, digitally print on drinkware. Cylindrical UV printers can accommodate various sizes, shapes, and materials of drinkware offering the most visually appealing prints directly onto the vessel.  

Design Techniques

In recent years, the progression from standard full-color graphics and images has expanded to more unique design techniques that further enhance the vessel itself. The transparency of glassware has seen the greatest amount of innovation with design techniques. Mirror print, tone-on-tone, stained glass, and etched are all achievable with digital printing. Mirror print, for example, prints an image in reverse before printing the outward facing graphic. This way, when looking on the inside of the glass, the graphic or perhaps a secret message is seen rather than the typical white. Tone-on-tone simulates glass embossing by offering a crisp and clean varnish over glass. Stained glass prints color and varnish without white to provide a see-through look. Finally, etched prints a low opacity white to resemble etching using a laser. 

A new innovation for stainless, aluminum, and other reflective metal vessels is known as the Lustre Effect. This technique simulates metallic inks to really make drinkware stand out. The Lustre Effect is available on all Inkcups (Booth C9939) machines using a specialized plug-in for Illustrator or Photoshop.