Decoration

Decoration excellence

We have the largest in-house glass container decoration facilities of any glass packaging producer in Europe. Having two centres of decoration excellence makes us flexible and efficient, optimising production at each location and sharing knowledge across the Group. Both centres have developed and produced internationally acclaimed bottle designs using cutting edge glass decoration techniques in response to customer needs and trends.

We are passionate about innovation through glass decoration, dedicating time and energy to researching what really appeals to consumers, and pushing the technological boundaries of what we can achieve. We can enhance your design with precious metals, use metallic coating to give a mirror finish in a range of colours or add high quality transfers or decals for a super-premium look.

Future of decoration

Our experienced engineers and designers continue to push the boundaries of innovation, developing new decorative effects and finishes working in partnership with our Group R&D function. Some examples include the development of powder coated finishes, partial sleeve application for labelling smaller areas of the container and satin etching which gives full body frosting to cylindrical and conical bottles.

Consumers are becoming more discerning in their buying habits, so we always look for new ways to respond to their needs. We can apply the most intricate detailing to our glass bottles and jars by hand, achieving a mark of outstanding quality with ceramic transfers, badges and seals of any design. We have also developed thermochromic and tactile coatings which help to engage with the consumer at a deeper level and to improve their experience.

Screen printing

We are passionate about innovation through glass decoration, dedicating time and energy to researching what really appeals to consumers, and pushing the technological boundaries of what we can achieve. One of those achievements is our screen printing which is used by some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Coca Cola, Bombay Sapphire and Absolut.

Wide ranges of options are available including organic and lead-free inks, ceramic inks, and even real gold inks as incorporated in the stunning Absolut Elyx bottle. We can achieve a 360° print on round containers with up to eight colours on the body and five colours on the neck. We also have the capability to print on non-round and square containers.

Coating

Coating is a cost-effective and flexible way to achieve outstanding colour, to provide a premium look and feel. The technique can give a wide range of effects: matte, gloss, eggshell, acid etch, organic, metallic and pearlescent. Coating is often combined with other decoration techniques such as pressure sensitive labelling (PSL), printing or embossing, offering unlimited options and uniquely tailored branding.

Thermochromic inks can also be used to achieve stunning colour changes and aromachromic coatings can add appeal and interaction through the sense of smell. Our European Glass Catalogue showcases our full range of over 600 standard glass bottles and glass jars that can be differentiated in our decoration facilities to enhance your brand.

Steam sleeving

Sleeving gives a visually stunning finish, with 360° full-colour branding for real standout on shelf. It allows for the decoration of almost 100% of the surface area of the bottle, enabling the design and branding to take centre stage. It also gives added protection in filling and handling, reducing exposure to UV light and increasing shelf life.

Sleeving is perfect for both high-volume and limited edition products. Our European Glass Catalogue showcases our full range of over 600 standard glass bottles and glass jars that can be differentiated in our decoration facilities to enhance your brand.

Pressure Sensitive Labelling

Pressure Sensitive Labels (PSL) give a clear, 'no label' look, enabling intricate graphics to be created including metallic, varnish (for tactile effects) and foil (silver and gold) effects. This state-of-the-art labelling technique can place up to four labels in a single process and can be applied to all shapes of glass bottles and jars.

Our European Glass Catalogue showcases our full range of over 600 standard glass bottles and glass jars that can be differentiated by pressure sensitive labels in our decoration facilities to enhance your brand.

Embossing

Whilst produced in the mould rather than created as a secondary process, embossing is a highly cost-effective way to decorate bespoke glass packaging that provides a high quality look and feel. As technology has advanced, we have been able to produce more intricate and detailed effects, such as state-of-the-art sculptured embossing, which is increasingly used for crest and other branding features on premium spirit containers.

Ardagh has taken this traditional feature within glass container design into an entirely new dimension with sculptured embossing. We are now using this new technique in 3D design to reproduce brand identity through distinctive text effects or graphic imagery. Whether it is to identify provenance with a distinctive logo or coat of arms, or to give the container a unique appearance through surface patterns such as diamonds or striations, these precise computer-controlled duplications give a more exact sharper finish to the embossed feature.

Bottles and jars can be recycled endlessly without any loss in purity or quality

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