Classy Glass

Advanced decorative techniques make high-end looks more affordable.

By Janet Herlihy Editor

Glass has been fascinating craftsmen since they first started making it into beads and seals in Mesopotamia around 2500 B.C.

Finding new ways to embellish glass–how to color it and decorate containers of it–continues to intrigue the craftsmen of the 21st century, especially those dedicated to innovation and creativity for the cosmetics and personal care market.

The Spray’s The Thing

Probably the most significant recent development in decorating glass containers is the spraying of either organic or ceramic inks on the container. Once sprayed, the items pass through a curing stage where they are heated. The ceramic sprays are a form of liquid glass, which bonds with the surface of the glass container when heated. Organic inks do not melt into the surface and are, therefore, somewhat more fragile than ceramic finishes, but are available in a wider range of colors and finishes.

Because spraying, with either ceramic colors or organic inks, can