Whether it’s promotional, personal, or packaging, custom drinkware printing makes it possible to brand nearly any type of glass, metal or plastic drink containers. Inkcups has revolutionized the process of printing on drinkware by developing fast machines that deliver high-quality prints that help brands stand out in a competitive marketplace. These products showcase the possibilities of custom-printed drinkware:
Don’t let complex geometries limit your designs. The Helix® High Throw effortlessly prints across stepped tumblers with varying diameters and multiple levels, producing vibrant, high-quality graphics on surfaces that conventional printing methods struggle to decorate.
Watch hereThese digitally printed glasses were done on the Helix. The artwork is a full-wrap, 360 degree print that eliminates any visible seam. When you peek inside of the mixing glass, the artwork continues with a mirror print effect, creating a striking, full-color image both inside and out.
Products used: Helix, DL Series UV Ink for Glass
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Learn more about the Helix
Disposable cups can be custom-decorated using either pad printing and inkjet printing. These disposable cups only take seconds to print and can be stacked instantly, making them a fast and efficient option for high-volume drinkware production.
Products used: S1 UV Inkjet Ink
The curve of the wine glass would typically prove challenging for most print methods, but the Helix handles it with ease. This digital machine can print a complete 360 wrap in full-color around these excellent drink ware pieces.
Products used: Helix, DL Series UV Ink for Glass
Learn more about the HelixThe Helix really shines when it can print full-wrap, top-to-bottom prints. The smooth color gradient along with the reflective surface that shows through the design adds a certain “pop” that accentuates the stainless steel undertone.
Products used: Helix, S1 UV Inkjet Ink
Learn more about the helixPrinting on powder coated metal often poses a challenge for adhesion. Inkcups has a specially formulated primer and ink solution to enhance adhesion. The custom printed metal bottle shown here was printed with the Helix printer.
Products used: Helix, S1 UV Inkjet Ink
Learn more about the HelixCustom printing is ideal for branding restaurants, breweries, and bars. The barware example shown here was produced using the ICN-2200 2 color pad printer with the CG series pad printing ink for glass and ceramic. The CG series ink offers excellent adhesion and dishwasher resistance.
Barware can also be digitally printed using the Helix for full-color, digitally printed images.
Products used: CG Series Ink, ICN-2200PS
Learn more about the ICN-2200PSCheck out Inkcups’ specialized UV cylindrical printers for drinkware below. These advanced machines deliver high-quality, 360-degree decoration on glass, metal, and plastic bottles, tumblers, and cups, helping brands create standout, durable designs.
Compact in design, the Helix ONE® cylindrical inkjet printer decorates a wide variety of vessels, including acrylic cups, powder coated drinkware, and stainless steel vessels.
Learn more about the Helix ONE®The flagship Helix® is a cylindrical inkjet printer capable of printing full-color images up to 8.6″ (218 mm) in length.
Learn more about the Helix® Digital Cylinder PrinterThe Helix®+ joins the Helix® family as an upgradable cylindrical printer; beginning as a single tunnel machine with the ability to later transform into a double tunnel machine.
Learn more about the Helix®+The Double Helix® offers double production speed compared to the Helix® due to two print fixtures.
Learn more about the Double Helix® Digital Cylinder PrinterThe Revolution® High-Speed Digital Cylinder Printer is the latest innovation by Inkcups. Print multiple drinkware pieces at a time and integrate automation to make this process seamless.
Learn more about the Revolution®The Helix High Throw cylindrical inkjet printer serves new markets and decorates products that were otherwise deemed too uneven or challenging.
Learn More about the Helix® High ThrowDrinkware is printed by applying ink directly to the surface the container using a method such as rotary UV inkjet printing or pad printing. For full-color, full-wrap designs, a cylindrical UV digital printer rotates the drinkware under the printheads while UV ink is applied and cured to the surface. For smaller logos, one- or two-color graphics, or partial designs, pad printing can be a cost-effective option.
The best drinkware printing method depends on the item’s shape, material, artwork size, production volume, and durability requirements. Glass, stainless steel, powder-coated metal, plastic, ceramic, and disposable cups may each require different inks, primers, or pretreatment steps for proper adhesion.
Explore these resources to dive deeper into drinkware decoration methods:
Find the right pad printing system for your drinkware, with 1- to 6-color options designed for everything from simple logos to complex, multi-colored graphics.
1-color pad printers are perfect for applications that require simply graphics. Maximum images sizes range from 80 mm to 190 mm.
Learn more about 1-color pad printersPrint up to 2-colors on beer tasting glasses, pint glasses and more. Our 2-color pad printers can be adjusted to print 1-color as well.
Learn more about 2-color pad printersLooking to print multiple colors? Our line-up of 4- to 6-color pad printers allow you to do just that!
Learn more about 4-to-6- color pad printers
Tagless Printers
Cylindrical Inkjet Printers
UV Flatbed Printers
Pad Printing Machines
Pretreatment Systems
Inkjet Printing Auxiliary
Laser Plate-Makers
Inkjet Printing Supplies
Pad Printing Supplies
Tagless Supplies