How do you print digital art on glass?

Printing on glass can enhance the uses and value of glass, expanding the possibilities for surface designs that are both beautiful and functional, and for a wide range of applications; industrial, commercial, automotive, interior design, and architectural. Glass is a traditional material that has become a contemporary medium for decorative purposes. Someone wondering about how do you print on glass will discover that there are various options and techniques to choose from.

Advanced technologies for printing on glass offer not only the promise of design potential, but also serve to enhance flexibility, durability, and sustainability for exterior as well as interior surfaces. The two main approaches to printing on glass are screen printing and digital ceramic glass printing. Both methods offer excellent results and benefits, with different degrees of versatility and cost, using different techniques, types of equipment, and inks. A third option is digital UV printing, which offers the advantages of digital printing, but typically cannot match the high durability provided by screen printing or digital ceramic printing.

Main printing options

Screen printing on glass

The screen printing method is actually a traditional technique that has been used successfully for many decades. Screen printing is suitable for both interior and exterior surfaces, and is highly durable. This method uses a stencil and a mesh screen to create the design. Ink is spread across the screen with a squeegee; while the stencil blocks certain areas of glass, leaving others open to let the ink through. The result is a high-quality image, pattern, or design element. The ink is then “fired” to adhere to the glass. Screen printing on glass is limited to a maximum of four colors. Each color requires a long setup and preparation time, and high fixed costs. Screen printing is ideal for high-volume glass printing production in commercial, industrial, and architectural applications.

Digital printing on glass

The flexibility of digital printing on glass opens a new world of options, and compelling advantages for glass processors, architects, and designers.
There are two methods for digital printing on glass: UV-curable printing, and digital ceramic printing.

• Digital UV printing technology uses organic inks and employs ultraviolet light to cure (dry) the ink on the glass surface. The technology enables unlimited color combinations. Digital UV printing is a fast and economical method for printing high-quality, customizable images on glass for short-run architectural and interior design applications. However, durability and scratch-resistance are limited and there is a lack of functional inks.

• Digital ceramic printing on glass takes a different approach to that of digital UV. With digital ceramic printing, the inks contain ceramic frit (basically Nano-particles of glass mixed with colored pigments) and are fused into the glass after printing, so that the inks become an integral part of the printed glass. In comparison, digital UV inks are not fused into the glass; rather they are laid down on top of the glass and then cured, creating an ultra-thin printed layer over the glass surface.

To print art on glass is one of the best (and most fun) ways to liven up your home. Not to mention, doing so adds a personal touch to a space in need of more homey vibes.

But why settle for traditional canvas art prints that can fade over time? Fracture glass prints allow you to beautifully display your favorite art with a depth and clarity you have to see to believe. Give your space a vibrant pop of color by printing your art on glass. Here’s how.

Where can I find digital art to print on glass?

There are countless websites to purchase and download stunning, unique art. For example, Unsplash has a large library of art to choose from that’s free for personal use. If you’re a fan of classical or historic art, Artvee is the perfect place to download high-res art that’s in the public domain. Etsy is another huge marketplace to find art from various digital creators. Simply select a digital art piece you like and make your purchase. After that, typically, you’ll receive an email with a link to download your digital file.

The next step to print art on glass is to upload your art to Fracture. When doing so, make sure your digital art is saved as either a JPEG or PNG file. Also, be sure the art is in RGB to get the best print job. When you’ve checked off those items, you can upload your file at our “Get Started” photo uploader page.

What if I have physical copies of art?

If you have paper copies of your favorite art, you can scan them by using a photo-scanning app on your smartphone, using a traditional photo scanner, or using a service to digitize your photos for you. Follow our scanning best practices if you go this route.

What’s the fine print of printing art on glass?

You’re welcome to upload any digital image you’d prefer as long as you have the permission or rights to print it. (When a question of copyright or permissions comes up, Fracture does not assume responsibility, as per our Terms of Service. That responsibility falls on the customer ordering the art in question.)

As for what image content is allowed, we’ll print any image uploaded to our site as long as it’s not patently offensive or obscene. (Nude photos that can generally be categorized as art or photography, like boudoir images, are completely acceptable to print.)

At Fracture, we print your digital images directly onto glass to create beautiful, frameless (literal) works of art. With a selection of sizes and shapes, you can create custom layouts—available in single glass prints, a Photo Wall arrangement, or Storyboard—to print your art on glass and display it in a style that’s uniquely yours. Plus, you’ll receive all of the materials you need to hang it on your walls, with options for tabletop display stands.

We can’t wait to see your art pieces in your home. Get started now!