Spray Coating vs Screen Printing on Glass: Which Is Right for Your Product?

When you are bringing a product to market, the way your glass is decorated says as much about your brand as the design itself. At Colorlites, the two methods customers ask about most are spray coating and screen printing. They achieve very different things, and the right choice depends on the look you are after, the shape of your vessel and the volumes you are working to. Here is a clear guide to both.

What is spray coating?

Spray coating applies colour across the surface of the glass using pigments and colourants, which are then cured at around 170–180°C for a durable, even finish. Because the colour covers the whole vessel, it is the method to choose when you want to transform the look of the glass itself.

Spray coating is wonderfully versatile. You can specify:

• Vibrant signature colours, or subtle muted tones to suit your brand

• Gloss, matt and frosted finishes

• Special effects such as metallic sheens and vignettes (a graduated fade of colour)

• Internal coatings, external coatings, or a combination

Best for: changing the overall colour or feel of a bottle or jar, and for premium effects that body-tinted glass simply cannot achieve.

What is screen printing?

Screen printing pushes ink through a fine mesh to lay a crisp design directly onto the glass. At Colorlites we produce vibrant two-colour designs using UV or solvent inks, cured at 180–200°C for clean, precise, long-lasting results. It works particularly well on cylindrical vessels, where the print can be applied evenly around the curve.

It is the natural choice for branding elements such as:

• Logos and brand marks

• Product names, CLP and ingredient text

• Patterns, borders and decorative motifs

Best for: sharp, repeatable branding and text where definition matters.

The key differences at a glance

• Coverage: spray coating colours the whole vessel; screen printing decorates specific areas.

• Colour: spray coating offers the full spectrum plus effects; screen printing gives crisp results in up to two colours per run.

• Ideal use: spray coating for colour transformation and finish; screen printing for logos, text and detail.

• Shape: both suit bottles and jars; screen printing is especially strong on cylindrical forms.

So which should you choose?

As a rule of thumb: if you want to change the colour or finish of the glass, start with spray coating. If you want to add a logo, text or a defined design, screen printing is likely the answer. Many of the most striking results combine the two — a spray-coated base colour with a screen-printed logo over the top.

If you are not certain, that is exactly the kind of thing our team is happy to advise on. We work with everyone from independent makers to global brands, so we can match the method to your design, your vessel and your order volume.

Ready to talk it through? Request a quote or send us your design and our Chichester team will recommend the best approach for your product.