Tips for Screen Printing on Glass and Ceramic Substrates

If you are currently offering screen printed apparel, signs, and other popular merchandise, then screen printing on glass and ceramics can provide an avenue for your business to grow. While screen printing remains popular for its more traditional applications, there are growing uses for screen printed glass and ceramics.

Glass and ceramic screen printing applications

You are probably familiar with more glass and ceramic screen printing applications than you realize. As you probably know, drinking glasses, coffee mugs and water bottles have always been popular as branded merchandise, whether advertising a business or a special event. But for large format screen printing machines , screen printing is used to print on glass window panels, doors, tiles and mirrors for commercial signage or decorative and architectural purposes.

There are also plenty of commercial uses for screen printing on glass and ceramics. Screen printing is popular for placing logos and labels on cosmetic and medical bottles. On a larger scale, screen printing is used to print defrost elements and even antennae on car windows.

Choose the right equipment and ink

There are special considerations when screen printing glass and ceramic substrates, as few glass and ceramic substrates are the size and shape of more traditional screen printed products. Curved substrates may require special screen printers adapted to their shape. Printing on large glass or ceramic items such as panels or large tiles requires a printer built for the job, such as a flatbed printer .

Inks are another consideration when printing on glass or ceramics. As with any type of screen printing, there are different ink options, although printing on glass or ceramic does require special inks formulated for the job. Screen printing on glass and ceramics needs to be durable because the substrate does not absorb any ink. For lighter applications that won't be abused a lot, epoxy inks are often used. These inks cure over time, although frequent exposure to high temperatures can speed up the process. For more durable prints, such as those required for tableware, ceramic inks are used. These inks contain small glass particles that combine to form a long-lasting application when overheated.

The Challenges of Screen Printing Glass and Ceramics

Successful screen printing on glass and ceramic substrates is more than just using the right machine and the right ink. This can be a tricky process that requires some research and experimentation. Since the inks are designed to air dry, they dry quickly on screen. Screen tension can cause problems when printing larger applications . Printing on glass may require a larger non-contact since larger screens generally have lower tension. Glass and ceramic surfaces are also slippery and difficult to print on. Cleaning them and heating them before printing can help the process.

Whether for marketing, branding or commercial applications, printing on glass or ceramic substrates can help you increase sales to existing customers and Attract new customers.