Glass paints for the Wine & Spirits sector: aesthetics, performance and customization

In the Wine & Spirits sector, the bottle is an integral part of the brand’s communication. Glass conveys elegance and tradition, but it is the painting that gives identity to the packaging, expressing style and values. Paints must therefore ensure both aesthetic appeal and high technical performance, even during bottling and use.

Specific Needs of the Sector: Balancing Resistance and Visual Appeal

In the world of wine and spirits, bottles go through various production and logistics processes before reaching the consumer. The paints used must therefore provide excellent mechanical and chemical resistance, without compromising the aesthetic quality of the product. Tests performed on the paints include:

• G1 tests at high and room temperature

• Resistance to alcohol and boiling in water up to 90°C

• Scratch resistance, tape test, X-Cross (crosshatch adhesion)

• Endurance for 250 cycles in a domestic dishwasher

• Resistance to thermal shock and bottling line passage

Tailor-Made Solutions: Water-Based and Solvent-Based Paints

To meet the diverse needs of the sector, Contecolor develops solvent-based and water-based paints, each with specific characteristics:

• Solvent-based paints offer very high coverage, adhesion, and fast drying times, ideal for intensive production cycles and for opaque or metallic effects.

• Water-based paints are the ideal choice for those seeking a sustainable solution, with reduced VOC emissions and excellent chemical resistance, without compromising aesthetic results.

New Trends in Wine & Spirits Packaging

Beyond technical performance, today aesthetics play an increasingly strategic role. Consumers look for products that stand out at first glance and can communicate quality, story, and personality. According to a Smithers report (2023), premium alcoholic beverage packaging is steadily growing, and the demand for high-impact, sustainable, and customizable solutions is expected to increase by 5.5% annually until 2028.

Among the most requested finishes are:

• Matte effect: discreet and contemporary elegance, increasingly favored by artisanal and premium brands.

• Metallic effect: gold, copper, and silver reflections for a luxury and innovative image.

• Colored transparent effect: ideal for highlighting the content and conveying freshness and naturalness. This finish aligns with the “glass first” trend, where decorated glass becomes the star without being fully covered by labels or graphics.

• Glossy finish: for a brilliance that evokes purity, quality, and freshness.

Both solutions can be customized on request thanks to an efficient research and development lab and the support of the colorimetry team, which assists clients in defining the perfect shade for every need.

Choosing the right paint means enhancing the product, improving its perception, and ensuring its durability over time. Contecolor supports companies in the sector with customized, sustainable, and high-performance solutions, ready to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving market.