Screen Print Prep

Artwork split for clean ink laydown

Screen printing works best when the artwork is prepared for separate ink layers, solid edges and controlled coverage. Fine gradients, tiny serif type and very close linework can lose clarity on glass, so the artwork stage looks at what can print cleanly on curved bottles or on straight-sided drinkware. We check the artwork against the print area, the bottle diameter and the intended viewing angle before anything goes to press.

For short runs, this step also reduces waste. If a logo needs white underprint, a spot colour build or a tighter line weight, that gets planned before screens are made. The aim is not to force every design into the same setup, but to make the file suit the item and the print method. That matters on wine bottles with narrow shoulders and on gin or water bottles with larger flat areas.

What the prep covers before screens are made

Preparation includes artwork checks, print area planning, colour guidance and proof approval. The team also looks at white ink layers where needed, since darker glass or tinted bottles often need an underbase for the colour to hold properly. For glassware and some bottles, the curve and seam positions are marked so the print stays in the right place on each unit.

• Artwork separation for each ink colour
• Line thickness checks for mesh limits
• Curved-surface registration planning
• White underbase planning for dark glass
• Mock-up visuals before sign-off

Label artwork can be handled alongside screen prep when a mixed pack is needed, though the screen job itself still gets its own layout and register notes. That keeps the production brief clear from the start.

Bottle and drinkware types that suit screen printing

Screen printing is used on a range of glass and drinkware items, including wine bottles, gin bottles, still and sparkling water bottles, tumblers, stemless glasses and selected gift drinkware. The print area changes from item to item. A long-neck bottle needs different spacing from a short shoulder bottle, and a straight-sided tumbler can carry a wider band than a tapered glass.

Some glass finishes need more care than others. Clear glass allows a different visual result to frosted, amber or dark glass, while ceramic enamel inks suit items that are meant to handle repeated washing and warmer use. The prep work reflects those differences so the final print sits neatly on the item, not fighting the shape.

Proofs, registrations and the small details that save a run

Each job is checked through a proof before production begins. That proof shows colour placement, print position and the overall balance of the design on the bottle or glass. For repeatable registration, the artwork must allow for the same alignment every time the screens are set and the run is restarted. On short runs, that is especially important because there is less room to absorb drift or adjustment.

We also check whether the job needs any extra bleed allowance, any reduced fine detail, or a slight simplification to keep the mark readable on glass. Small changes in glass thickness, seam lines or curvature can alter how the print reads, so the design is adjusted to suit the actual glass.

How a short-run screen print job moves through the shop

Once the artwork is approved, the job moves into screen prep, mesh selection and setup notes for the print team. From there the print area is marked, the inks are prepared and the bottles or drinkware are set for registration. Short runs often need tighter handling because the quantities are lower and the setup has to be right from the first pieces.

• Artwork review and separation
• Proof creation and sign-off
• Screen and mesh planning
• Ink selection and layer setup
• Registration, test pieces and run approval

Packaging notes can be added at the same stage if the order is going to several delivery points. That is useful for wineries, distilleries and event organisers sending part of an order to Paarl, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Johannesburg or Durban.

Turnaround, pricing and the way the numbers are worked out

Turnaround depends on the item type, the number of colours, whether white ink is needed and how much setup the artwork needs before screens are made. Short runs with clean vector artwork usually take less prep than jobs with multiple colours, fine detail or mixed bottle types. Mixed deliveries can also affect packing and dispatch planning.

Pricing is built from setup work, screen count, ink layers, the size of the print area and the quantity in the run. A small run of branded bottles may carry a different unit cost from a larger repeat order because the preparation effort is spread across fewer items. Your quote is worked out from those job details.

Aftercare for printed bottles and glasses

After printing, the main care points are handling, washing and storage. Printed glass should be packed so the print does not rub against another hard surface in transit. For wash care, hand washing is often safer for decorative work and for items with finer detail. Where the print system and curing method allow more durable use, that is noted on the job notes so the client knows how to handle the items.

We also flag any surface notes that matter after delivery, such as keeping printed items dry before packing, avoiding aggressive scrubbing on fresh decoration and storing bottles upright where possible. Good aftercare protects the finish on both short-run promotional pieces and drinkware intended for gifts or events.