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A changing legislative landscape and the introduction of alternatives to ceramic inks have resulted in a shift in commercial glass decoration methods.
Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, "The only thing that is constant is change." When it comes to printing onto glass, no truer words have been spoken. That may seem like an odd statement for a material that has been decorated for hundreds of years, but the reality is that the changing legislative landscape and the introduction of alternatives to ceramic inks have resulted in a shift in commercial glass decoration methods.
In addition to advancements in screen inks, we can no longer ignore the impact of digital printing methods for glass decoration. As printhead technologies have advanced and inkjet chemistry improved, systems are being designed, built, and now installed that rival traditional screen printing speeds and durability. While the largest print runs are still dominated by screen printing, digital is now a viable option for nearly any market segment.
Safety First
In 2010, McDonald's recalled 12 million Shrek drinking glasses when lab tests reportedly indicated the presence of toxic levels of heavy metals (lead and cadmium) in the decorated image. Under U.S. law at the time of printing, the levels of these materials would have been considered within specification if the final product was deemed to be marketed primarily to adults. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has much more stringent regulations for items considered "children's toys."
The federal standard for toy safety is a document called ASTM F963-16, which provides limits for a host of potentially hazardous materials and requires annual certification by an independent lab. While not all printed glassware is subject to these standards, the potential for many of these items to find their way into the hands of children is causing many printers to seek alternatives to ceramic screen inks, which are known to contain harmful heavy metals. Organic ultraviolet (UV) ink is the technology to which most are turning.
Are all UV inks safe? Not necessarily. The only way to be sure whether the inks you're using are certified to all applicable standards is to ask your supplier for the test results from an independent lab. In addition to ASTM F963-16, your ink should be tested annually...