Individuality and craftsmanship are vital in this landscape, especially for those consumers who entertain at home. This group often invests in high-quality serving pieces that reflect their personal style and stand the test of time. Rather than dining out, customers are focusing on transforming their homes into welcoming spaces for meaningful connections and memorable experiences.

The “slow movement” aligns seamlessly with Vibrantz’s earthenware colors and stoneware glazes, which enable the creation of artisanal ceramics that embody craftsmanship and lasting quality. With rich, earthy textures and authentic designs, these coatings help create pieces that transform tablescapes.

Reactive glazes offer beauty in the unpredictable

Reactive glazes transform ceramic surfaces through natural chemical reactions during firing. Influenced by factors such as temperature, composition, and firing cycles, these glazes create unpredictable, one-of-a-kind effects. This elevates stoneware and earthenware into functional art. Reactive glazes make tableware that is imperfect by design. While reactive glazes are not uniform like screen-printed colors, Vibrantz has refined the process and materials to deliver captivating results, including:

• Depth and dimension: Colors and textures create a rich, dynamic appearance
• Earthy and dramatic aesthetics: Subtle elemental effects or bold contrasts, depending on the formula
• Bespoke results: Organic, irregular finishes with slight variations that distinguish each piece

Exploring potential reactive glaze outcomes and options

Finish types	– Transparent or opaque – Glossy or matte – Vibrant or neutral tones
Surface effects	– Crazing: Fine crack patterns on the glaze surface – Crawling: Glaze retracts during firing, leaving exposed areas – Crystalline formulations: Intricate patterns formed during cooling
Firing impact	– Chemical composition and firing temperature influence different outcomes – Firing cycle (time and temperature curve) affects both the color and texture
Application methods	– Dipping: Provides even coverage and layering possibilities – Pouring: Creates flowing, organic effects – Spraying: Allows for subtle gradients and blending
Texture enhancements	– On textured surfaces, the glaze will gather unevenly and produce diverse colors and textures – Larger particles can create speckled effects or textured areas
Customization with additives	– Color stains: Add chromium, iron or cobalt to create various hues – Glaze composition: Changing the flux, glass formers and stabilizers will alter the final look

Crafting the customer journey with care

Nestled in the heart of a global stoneware hub, our Aveiro, Portugal, plant and office are home to our dedicated earthenware team. Here, creativity, technical expertise and a genuine passion for craftmanship converge to bring customer ideas to life.

The journey begins with a conversation, an opportunity to deeply understand your design goals and preferences. From there, we curate our showroom to inspire collaboration and spark new ideas. Next, our skilled team moves to the lab, where we transform your vision into world-class, tailor-made solutions. At every step, we are dedicated to providing an experience as dynamic and distinctive as the reactive glazes we create.

Explore our latest offerings and contact us to learn more today.

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The psychological power of color in packaging 

Color is a silent yet powerful communicator. Research indicates that 75% of quick judgements about consumer products are influenced by color. Color evokes memories and emotions, shaping our perceptions and influencing purchasing decisions. For example, a black wine bottle signals luxury and sophistication, while a cobalt blue bottle conveys calm sophistication. On crowded shelves, the color of the glass can help tell a brand’s story and set it apart from the competition.

Forehearth color concentrates add essential value 

In traditional color production processes, color is added in the furnace, limiting a batch to a single color. While effective for large batches, this process restricts the ability to incorporate more colors in smaller quantities and can result in excess inventory of a single-color product.

Forehearth colorant technology is incorporated after firing in the furnace and provides immense benefits to glass manufacturing, including:

• Reduced energy consumption: Firing uses lower temperatures than the furnace, saving energy by requiring less gas and time. Furnace color transitions can take up to 96 hours, while the forehearth process completes in as low as 10 hours
• Faster production: Shorter firing times in the forehearth speed up production by over 90%. Transitioning from clear (flint) to color can take two to four hours, that same process can take up to 24 hours in the furnace
• Wide range of color possibilities:  Batch production enables more color options and specialty shades
• Less waste: Minimizes excess inventory by reducing the need for large quantities of stock
• Lower shipping costs: Forehearth color implementation eliminates the need for an on-site furnace, allowing production closer to customers
• Streamlined process: Eliminates the need to change the furnace for every new color and introduces color without stopping the main production line
• Increased flexibility: Allows small-batch production of several colors simultaneously
• Financial gains: Expands customer base by supporting batches of all sizes

Forehearth firing for function and fashion

Glass manufacturers use forehearth color concentrates to change functional attributes of their products. Forehearth colors and frits can promote the longevity and durability of a product by preserving its usability, freshness, taste and smell. This factor helps fine wine and fortified beer age over time without spoiling.

Take the green and amber colors used in wine bottles, for example. These darker shades are frequently used to provide high ultraviolet (UV) protection for the internal liquid contents by shielding it from sun exposure and fluorescent light. In contrast, clear glass will expose liquid contents to most UV rays. Too much UV exposure can result in photochemical reactions that can cause unpleasant aromas, rotting flavors, color fading and reduced shelf life.

The enduring strength of forehearth color

Forehearth color concentrates and frits are fundamental in coloring glass products across industry segments, including tableware, beverage container, specialty container (perfume), architectural and artware. Forehearth color is permanently embedded into the glass during manufacturing, making it an inherent part of the piece and contributing to its lasting qualities such as:

• Durability: Since it is not a surface coating, it won’t chip or peel to reveal an undesired underlying color
• Consistency: The color and piece will maintain its appearance and integrity over time despite varying environmental conditions
• Longevity: Forehearth color does not degrade and fade, offering visual appeal throughout a product’s lifespan and beyond
• Recyclability: Glass is 100% recyclable and can be reused in countless applications without losing its quality

Create an unforgettable presence with our glass solutions

Making a bold entrance in the marketplace helps invite customers to try your product. Effective design and functionality—powered by forehearth color concentrates—is essential to propel your business forward and create an impression that complements the excellence within each bottle.

To learn more about our comprehensive glass coloring products, meet us in Booth B55, Hall 12 at Glasstec on October 22 or contact us to learn more what forehearth colorant technology can do for you.

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Further, addressing fall prevention has become increasingly important due to the significant demographic shift in global aging populations. The United Nations forecasts that the number of people aged 65 or older worldwide will increase by 1.6 billion by 2050. Urban planners, builders and architects must also recognize the importance of “aging in place,” older adults’ preference to live independently in their homes or communities rather than relocating. Making accessibility part of building planning and design can support independent lives for older adults while tapping into a thriving consumer market.

We help create safe havens with digital inks

In response to the demand for more accessible solutions, we developed a slip-resistant digital ink, a part of our SpectrumHD series, to enhance safety on interior and exterior glass surfaces. This ink increases friction on glass, making it less slippery, while its engineered formulation provides an even, durable coating that reduces slip hazards.

Our slip-resistant ink can be applied to many glass surfaces, including:

• Bathroom floors and shower doors: Reduces risk by creating a nonabrasive, nonslip surface
• Stairs and glass walkways: Provides a safe solution without sacrificing style
• Glass roofs and canopies: Ensures roofs and canopies are nonslip surfaces (even while wet) and remain durable with environmental weathering
• Pools and pool decks: Are ideal for areas susceptible to wet conditions and highly resistant to chemicals and saltwater damage

SpectrumHD slip-resistant ink redefines performance

Our slip-resistant digital ceramic ink has essential features that include:

• High chemical durability for exterior applications
• Ultraviolet stability
• REACH compliance  
• Being a lead- and cadmium-free solution
• Suitability for standard tempering processes
• Extended nine-month shelf life
• Variable gloss and optical density depending on ink wet layer thickness
• Formulation for air and infrared drying
• Compatibility with leading industry inkjet print heads

Safer futures with slip-resistant inks

The integration of slip-resistant digital ink reflects a commitment to inclusive design principles that increase the useability of spaces where individuals can confidently navigate their surroundings. Our inks provide a versatile way to create safer environments without compromising design and ensure homes, public spaces and workplaces enhance the quality of life for those who habit them.

Contact us to discover more about our slip-resistant ink and our expanded portfolio of SpectrumHD digital inks. Speak to our experts to learn how you can integrate industry-leading inks into your glass applications and elevate your digital ceramic printing process.

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In an effort to combat rising GHG emissions that result in environmental challenges like heat waves, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding, societies and governments are increasingly investing in renewable energy and alternative energy infrastructure. This momentum has sparked innovation in the glass coatings industry, aimed at creating durable solar panels, greener buildings and sustainable transportation solutions. For over 100 years, Vibrantz has supplied the consumer and industrial manufacturing markets with sustainable solutions for glass coatings.

Vibrantz engineers coatings to withstand the elements

The expansion of the alternative energy market has prompted efforts to enhance the efficiency and durability of glass. Vibrantz engineers enamel coatings and ceramic digital inks for glass, offering an array of functional benefits like impact-protectant surfaces, non-stick properties and near-invisible coating to enhance durability while allowing light transfer. 

Some of our key products include:

• 99% solar white enamel for screen printing onto solar glass 
• Digital ceramic inkjet printing inks for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) 
• Traditional and digital ceramic inks that offer chemical and weather resistance, ultra-violet (UV) stability and scratch protection for architectural and construction glass 
• Enamels and digital inks with enhanced durability and UV protection for transportation and automotive glass 

The charge toward solar

As the demand for solar panels continues to rise, they are being incorporated into a wide range of structures beyond traditional rooftops including parking garages, sports facilities and agricultural facilities. To meet this growing need, Vibrantz provides specialized inks that enhance structural strength, offer UV protection, ensure weather resistance and more.  

For example, our 99% solar white enamel is screen printed onto laminated glass, improving panel battery life and power-generating efficiency. To further bolster the panel, solar white enamel increases reflectivity and acid resistance, while reducing enamel breakdown. This allows the battery to collect more sunlight and enhances overall performance.  

Eco-awareness by solar can also be achieved alongside aesthetic benefits. BIPV offers a middle ground facilitated by our digital ceramic inks, utilizing images of traditional roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles or terra cotta, printed onto solar modules and enables high light transmittance. Additionally, our inks replicate the appearance of wall claddings by digitally printing images of materials like brick or cedar onto solar glass. 

“As global leaders with over a century of experience in glass coatings, we are determined to provide the best service and solutions for our customers, especially through innovations in product performance.”

– Jasper Li, Porcelain Glass Coatings Business Manager, China

Your comprehensive partner in glass coatings

Contact our team of experts to learn more about our expansive portfolio of world-class coatings and materials for solar applications, sustainable construction, transportation and automotive glasses. We work alongside our customers to solve today’s challenges and create a brighter future for future generations. 

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This shift has propelled citizens to rethink their surroundings and requires greater standards for livability, connectivity, sustainability and well-being connected to the buildings where we live, work and play. Architects, urban planners, manufacturers and other responsible industries are now answering the call for transformation. Consumers have new priorities, from creating a more aesthetically appealing space to homing in on sophisticated functionality and improved durability.

A strong appreciation for the coexistence of functionality and aesthetics has led to incredible growth for the glass market. The increased desire for openness and connection to nature has influenced the embrace of the “glass curtain wall trend”— where the outer covering of a building is composed primarily of glass panels. Recognizing that we no longer need to choose one or the other, architectural and construction industries continue to utilize glass in unprecedented ways. Printed glass facades with photorealistic motifs to mimic stained glass and historic buildings spruced up with exterior glass replications of marble are just two examples of unique and durable digital ceramic ink applications.

“Digital printing on glass empowers us to transform extraordinary ideas into reality. As we innovate our ceramic inks, vibrant buildings are becoming more accessible and cherished. This balance between creativity and utility brings art and technology more seamlessly into our everyday lives.”

–Pierre Plazonnet, Digital Printing Technology Manager

A vibrant future for digital inks

Vibrantz Dip-Tech® inks have been at the forefront of digital glass printing since 2005, revolutionizing the ancient process of glass printing. The industry shift toward glass has accelerated because of its myriad advantages and foundational quality of 100% recyclability.

The benefits of digital ceramic ink on glass extend across a wide spectrum and encompass:

• Process efficiency – Digital printing is efficient and allows for any batch size. The traditional method of screen printing onto glass requires running large projects, is very manual and needs more preparation, extended material inventories and labor to create a finished product.
• Effective application – Digital printing offers high precision, reducing the need for all glass pieces to be the same size and minimizing the potential need to rework due to a small error.
• Less waste – Jetting ink directly decreases waste due to immediate precision capabilities and no screen changeover residues.
• Functionality – Innovations in glass printing, such as integrating light and heat control, optimizing temperature regulation and boosting protective performance.

Spectrum HD inks are redefining resilience

The upcoming launch of our Spectrum HD series include a BGWORK configuration (blue, green, white, orange, red and black). Spectrum HD inks are used for side1 series applications, fit for total exposure to the elements and include new functional inks such as etch imitation and slip resistant.

Vibrantz’s new Spectrum HD inks feature innovations including:

• Strengthened durability – Spectrum HD inks are resistant to chemicals and weather conditions, which makes them an opportune choice for architectural applications in climates where side1 glass is susceptible to accelerated deterioration.
• Extended shelf life – Our inks last up to six to nine months’ time from bottling date (product dependent), maintaining the highest quality and best-in-class performance. 
• Extensive color palette – Spectrum HD BGWORK provides endless possibilities for colorful designs on building exteriors that will illuminate facades without being dulled by covering glass layers.
• REACH compliant – Our inorganic pigmented Spectrum HD BGWORK set ink series comply with European Union Regulation 1907/200 governing the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals (REACH).

Vibrantz digital inks merge visual appeal with functionality. Our inkjet products support with modern design approaches that breathe life into more family-friendly communities and ultimately create well-functioning spaces that enhance our everyday lives.

Collaborate with our team of experts at Glass Build America to develop a customized solution crafted with your unique touch.

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The emergence of IR reflective windshields

In response to the call for greener mobility, the automotive industry has embraced IR reflective windshields as an innovative solution to improve energy efficiency, enhance passenger comfort and comply with environmental regulations. These windshields are designed to reflect a substantial portion of IR radiation from the sun, significantly reducing the amount of heat entering the vehicle’s interior. As a result, the cabin remains cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning during hot summer days, and ultimately leading to fuel savings and lower carbon emissions.

“Our team draws on decades of experience producing silver pastes and additional high-performing products used to enhance automotive applications,” said Andre Noppe, vice president, glass coatings. “We work hand-in-hand with glass manufacturers to provide innovative solutions that help OEM’s achieve design, safety and sustainability goals.”

Innovation drives environmentally friendly transportation

IR reflective windshields offer many energy-efficient transportation benefits.

• Energy savings: By reducing the need for air conditioning, IR reflective windshields contribute to improved fuel efficiency, making vehicles more economical to run.
• Environmental sustainability: Lower fuel consumption results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, helping combat climate change and promote a greener future.
• Enhanced comfort: IR reflective windshields maintain a cooler interior temperature, offering a more enjoyable driving experience, especially during scorching summers.

Silver pastes play a crucial role

At the heart of IR reflective windshields lies a critical component – silver pastes. Renowned for its exceptional electrical conductivity and high reflectivity in the IR spectrum, silver is the ideal choice for these specialized coatings. Silver pastes are formulated with silver particles suspended in a liquid medium, ensuring optimal adhesion to the windshield’s glass surface.

During the manufacturing process, the silver paste is applied to the windshield using a screen-printing technique. Once applied, the windshield undergoes a drying and firing process in a high-temperature furnace. This process fuses the silver particles, creating a continuous, conductive metallic layer that connects with the coating of the windshield (called bus bars). The coating is then connected to the vehicle’s electric system through the support of the silver bus bars.

High-performing products with multifaceted benefits

Vibrantz has been instrumental in the development of conductive silver pastes for automotive glass, driven by evolving market demands like modern car designs, complex glass shapes, light-weighting for fuel efficiency and end-of-life vehicle regulations.

Compared to alternative materials like metal copper stripes, printed silver is gaining popularity due to its lighter weight and increased durability. Silver pastes can be applied in thin, uniform layers and are generally more resistant to corrosion, which can be an essential consideration for long-term windshield durability.

Additionally, printed silver pastes enhance sensors for track control, rain detection, distance control and other significant safety features. They enable defogging and defrosting in this crucial area for passengers to see clearly.

While energy-efficient transportation will continue to be a top priority for both manufacturers and consumers, more and more vehicles will be equipped with energy-saving technologies that help mitigate environmental impact while lowering the operating costs for drivers.

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Bird-friendly building materials make headway in construction industries.

As the problem of bird-to-building collisions becomes more widely known, an increasing number of states, cities and municipalities are adopting legislation that recommends, and in some cases, requires, bird-friendly materials to be used on new construction and building renovations. With an estimated one billion bird fatalities annually from collisions, certain building materials can make a huge difference. 

“Bird-safe glass typically is characterized by visual markers applied in a pattern. We work with glass fabricators to provide aesthetically pleasing inks for glass. Our digital inks can help lower bird collisions and improve energy efficiency due to their infrared reflective properties.”

– Pierre Plazonnet, digital technology manager for performance coatings.

Our customized solutions help you stand out and save money. 

Flat glass is the industry standard for glass manufacturing in commercial real estate design and construction. This includes glass panes on building exteriors, glass doors and separators inside buildings and glass panes used for structural decoration such as along stairwells. 

Glass fabricators commonly use screen-printed designs, effects and even pictures to differentiate buildings from one another. This can be costly due to the need for an ample supply of raw materials. It also becomes more difficult to produce different designs and effects quickly due to the need to constantly switch materials, resulting in a lower quality product. 

We provide glass fabricators with alternative solutions for screen printing that provide cost savings and unique designs. Our digital inks offer flexibility in manufacturing runs to switch design or effects quickly and require fewer raw materials. The reduced amount of materials cuts down on storage costs and helps save you money and space.

From a finishing point of view, our inks can be used to achieve technical properties as well as create a wide variety of effects on glass, including:

• Customized designs and patterns
• Lines and dots using inkjet frit to support bird friendly glazing
• Anti-reflective coatings
• Decorative finishes like luster or etch
• Functional coatings, such as those that reduce glare, mask selected areas or improve energy efficiency (i.e. NIR reflection or optical density)

More than just architectural glass.

We offer a wide variety of these materials to meet the needs of our customers in different industries, such as automotive glass, decorative glass, structural ceramics, dinnerware and porcelain enamel. 

If you’re looking for technical or application support with digital inks in your glass manufacturing process, contact digitalinks@vibrantz.com to learn more.

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