Screen printing is a widely used process for decorating and making prints on bottles. This technique helps make unique designs on these bottles. What makes screen printing stand out is its affordable pricing. However, many people ask, “How long does screen printing last on bottles?”
In fact, that’s the first question when someone plans to get screen printing done on their bottles. To make matters more confusing, there is no one-line answer regarding the durability or lifespan of screen printing on bottles. How long a print lasts on a bottle depends on many factors. In this article, I will discuss the durability of screen printing on bottles and the factors that affect it. So, let’s get started.
Overview of Screen Printing & Why Durability Matters
Screen printing is an advanced technique for creating prints on various materials. This method is also used to make designs on bottles made from different materials. Screen-printed designs on the bottles are long-lasting. It uses printing ink and mesh screens to make precise designs on different objects.
As I said in a previous article, screen printing uses a dedicated screen mesh. The design which is to be printed on the material is placed on this mesh screen. After that, a squeezer is used to press the ink against the mesh screen. As a result, ink from specific areas passes through the screen and onto the object.
This ink finally cures, drying and forming strong bonds with the material. This way, it applies the same design to the object as the one you placed on the screen. Screen printing is a versatile method that can print designs on a wide range of materials. These include plastics, glass, metals and the list goes on.
Using this method to make prints and add details on the bottles is also common. Remember, the durability of these printed bottles is crucial. Remember, the durability of prints refers to how well they keep their vibrancy, vividness, and sharpness. If the print starts to peel off or fade, this means the screen printing is not durable.
It is worth noting that the print you make must be durable on the bottle. If screen printing has less longevity, the design will fade quickly on the bottle. This fading or peeling off of the design will make the bottle look awful, not just bad. Bottles with faded prints will affect your company’s branding. Therefore, you should always prefer printing with a longer lifespan and greater durability.
How Long Does Screen Printing Last on Bottles?
How long screen printing on bottles lasts depends on various factors. On average, these prints can last for 3 to 10 years. If printed correctly, prints can remain in good condition for about 15 years. Wrong printing quality and weak curing can significantly affect the durability of prints on a bottle.
As discussed above, the durability of screen printing depends on different factors. Among these, the material on which printing is being done and curing quality matter the most. Bottles can be made of different materials, including metals, glass and plastics. Screen printing on glass and metal bottles lasts longer, i.e., above 10 years.
In contrast, prints can fade and peel off quickly when done on plastic bottles. The reason is that glass and metals are non-porous and have high-energy surfaces. This means they can offer bonding, ensuring prints stick to the surface more strongly. Additionally, these materials achieve even better bonding when you use adhesive spray.
On the opposite side, plastic is a porous material with low bonding strength. Prints do not bond strongly to plastic despite excellent curing. This results in quick fading and peeling off the prints from the surface of plastic bottles. As you know, ink undergoes curing once it is applied to the material (bottle). If curing is done incorrectly, it reduces bonding strength, causing the prints to fade.
Similarly, UV or heat curing, if done correctly, can make the screen printing last longer. In short, if you want prints on bottles to last longer, focus on the quality of work. When printing on plastic bottles, I highly recommend using spray adhesive on the bottle before printing. This spray improves adhesion strength, making prints last a bit longer.
Factors that Affect the Longevity of Screen Printing on Bottles
As I mentioned above, various factors influence the durability of screen printing on bottles. If you understand these factors, you’ll be able to control them and improve the lasting effect of your bottle prints. In the section below, I will explain each of these factors and discuss how they affect the lasting effect of screen printing.
1- Type of Ink Used
Screen printing is dependent on the inks, right? There are different types of ink used in screen printing. These include UV, epoxy, ceramic, and solvent-based. Each of these inks offers unique adhesion or bonding capability. For example, UV, epoxy, and ceramic inks offer strong adhesion to bottle surfaces. This means prints made on bottle surfaces last on the bottle. In contrast, printing with solvent-based inks is not long-lasting. If printed with solvent-based ink, this print won’t last on the bottles and will wash away quickly.
2- Bottle Material
As I said above, bottles are available in a wide range of materials. These include plastics, glass, metals and more. Screen printing varies across these materials. Screen printing lasts 10 to 15 years when applied to glass or metal bottles. These materials offer better adhesion due to their high surface energy. On the other hand, screen printing can only last 1 to 2 years when applied to plastic bottles. You’ll have to handle the bottle carefully if it is made of plastic to improve the life of the prints and designs.
3- Print Thickness
Printing can be done with different ink layer thicknesses. If you print using less ink, the prints will be thinner. Due to the thinner ink layer, fading of such prints is more common. On the other hand, using more ink will make the print thicker, done with thicker ink layers and is more durable and long-lasting. Even if you scratch the thick layers of ink, it won’t peel off. Remember, when using high print thickness, extend the curing duration during screen printing. That’s because more ink requires longer curing to completely dry.
4- Curing Method (UV curing, Heat curing, Air drying)
Curing is an important process which hardens and dries the ink on the material (bottle). Without proper curing, the ink may not harden completely, resulting in weak adhesion to the bottle. There are different methods of curing. UV and heat-based curing methods are excellent for the lifespan of screen printing. UV-based curing is most effective because it rapidly cures the ink. Heat curing can take longer, but it is also a decent option for a longer lifespan of the screen printing. I don’t recommend air-curing methods if you want better durability for screen printing on the bottle.
5- Frequency of Handling
The frequency of handling is another factor that affects the durability of screen printing. Some bottles are less exposed to frequent touching, rubbing and handling. The screen prints last longer on these bottles. On the other hand, bottles that are handled, touched, and/or rubbed more frequently don’t retain prints for as long. Best examples of such bottles include water and cosmetic containers. If you’re printing on a bottle that is handled frequently, you should use thick ink layers. This ensures the prints you get are more durable and last longer, even with frequent handling.
6- UV or Sunlight Exposure
Screen printing uses ink which dries and hardens to make designs on the bottles. The molecules of the ink are strongly bonded together. However, when the bottle is exposed to UV light, the ink breaks down. The bonding between ink molecules starts to weaken. This weakening of the bond causes the ink to degrade. As a result, you’ll notice either fading or peeling off screen prints or the design. If you want screen printing to last longer, protect your bottle from UV rays and sun exposure, as designs exposed to UV light fade due to ink degradation.
7- Contact with Chemicals and Washing Methods
Screen printing offers excellent durability if the bottle is not exposed to chemicals. These include strong acids, detergents, oils and so on. The reason is that these chemicals typically weaken the ink’s molecular structure. This weakness compromises the vibrancy and sharpness of the prints. Frequent washing in a dishwasher also reduces the durability of the screen printing on the bottle. As you know, dishwashing exposes the bottle to high-pressure water. This pressurised water deteriorates the prints. For better durability, I recommend handwashing the bottles so the prints last longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will a screen print last?
Screen printing on bottles can last between 2 and 10 years, depending on the bottle’s material. Print durability can go up to 15 years if the bottle is made of metal or glass. Additionally, if you take care of prints, this will further improve the longevity of screen printing.
Does screen printing on bottles fade over time?
Yes. Screen printing can fade over time. In fact, this fading occurs faster if the bottle is made of plastic. On the other hand, fading and peeling off prints are slower when applied to glass or metals.
What makes screen printing on bottles last longer?
Different metals can make screen printing on bottles last longer. These include glass or metal materials, the UV curing method, a thicker ink layer, and so on.
Conclusion
Screen printing is an excellent technique for creating designs and prints on bottles and other products. This helps achieve better visual appeal and branding on the bottles. However, these prints are not always very durable, as their durability depends on various factors.
These include materials, ink types, curing methods, and so on. If you have a metal or glass bottle, you should expect better durability and longevity from the screen printing. In this article, I have discussed everything about the durability of screen printing. You’ll also learn about the key factors that influence the durability of screen printing.
