Trends in Digitally Printed Drinkware

For the most stunning full-color graphics, with print techniques that wow, digitally print on drinkware.

Decorated drinkware has infiltrated every corner of the market. While drinkware trends are susceptible to outside influence, we find the shifts to be a natural evolution, rather than a downturn. This is a “win win” situation for businesses as consumers purchase branded drinkware, keeping the brand in their subconscious with every sip.  

 Even though the popular vessel of the moment changes on a dime, one factor holds true: consumers love their decorated or personalized drinkware. Digitally print on drinkware to wow with graphics or utilize design techniques to enhance the look of each vessel. In addition, these machines also help companies to maintain their sustainability stance.

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. 

Print-on-Demand

Print-on-demand refers to a process of printing as orders come through. This is a term mainly heard in the e-commerce world, but many other industries are starting to adopt this workflow. Staying true to a sustainable process, printing on demand is defined as printing what comes in and as necessary. For example, a customer can choose a specific graphic on a tumbler and choose the quantity. The blank tumbler will only be printed when that order comes through. 

 Print-on-demand, another common practice of the recent few years, is a sustainable process, since businesses only print to fulfill orders when placed, and do so in a more environmentally friendly way. With digital inkjet printing, there is no plastic, paper, water, and/or electricity wasted during the printing process. An image can be printed directly onto the product and shipped for delivery.    

Sustainability

Since drinkware is reusable, it saves a lot of resources. A single paper cup per day for 10 years is the equivalent of six trees. The resource efficiency of reusable products helps to reduce waste created by their single-use counterparts.