Page 16 - Grapevine July-Aug 2020

In The Winery

paper labels, allowing wineries to get rid of the
need to purchase, set up, operate and maintain a
labeling machine. Screen printing generally deliv-
ers a freshened-up look from original paper label
artwork, transposed onto the wine bottle surface.
After the bottles are loaded up with ink, they travel
through a lehr-type oven, meaning a long kiln with
an end-to-end temperature gradient, common in
glassmaking production. As the bottle moves along
the kiln’s path, the screen-printed label gradual-
ly cools, making it durable with no print or color
errors or runs.

The advantage of using screen printed labels is
the potential for simplification and added durabili-
ty. The wine bottle can be used as the background
color rather than starting with a colored paper
background. Although screen printing can generally
handle up to 10 colors, including pricier precious
inks like gold and silver, the average winery uses
only two or three, and rarely more than six. Screen
printed labels are less likely to be damaged by
scuffing or rubbing during transportation and distri-
bution, and refrigeration, humidity or moisture are
not as much of a concern as they are with paper
labels. Once bottling is underway, the setup and
management of the filling process are streamlined
by one step since there’s no need to apply labels.

The disadvantage to screen printing is that it takes
additional upfront planning and reliable logistical
scheduling to make sure that enough bottles are
printed and on location for bottling. Depending on
the printer company and the number of bottles to
be screen printed, the turnaround date on having
bottles shipped out, printed and returned can range
from one to three weeks.

Etching Provides Distinction & Elegance

Bottle etching is a process that delivers a distinc-
tive version of a label or brand image by carving
into the bottle’s surface. It can be done on filled
bottles because it is a cold process, blasting a very
fine silicate, like aluminum oxide, through a series
of nozzles to permanently, but gently, engrave the
label onto the bottle. Once the label is etched onto
Photo Credit: (Sara Nelson Design) the glass surface, paint can be applied to complete
saranelsondesign.com a true work-of-art label. The number of passes and

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