Silk screen printing on drinkware — how it runs and when it is the right call

One to three flat colours, applied through a screen onto the product. It is often an economical choice for a simple brand mark at volume. Your artwork and quantity help us compare it with the other methods.

What the process looks like

Registration marks on a two-colour silk screen job, Jupeng factory
Two colours mean two screens and passes. We review the artwork’s alignment and fine detail, confirm the proof and sample, then compare the first finished unit with that reference.
Worn silk screen mesh causing a patchy print — defect example
This process photo shows a screen-printing detail. We use the approved artwork and sample to check edges and registration during the run, and follow up on anything needing adjustment.
Silk screen line printing brand logos on stainless bottles

Where it is the right choice

  • 1–3 solid brand colours, Pantone matched
  • Large runs where unit cost decides the order
  • Text, outlines and simple shapes on a cylindrical body
  • Powder-coated and painted surfaces

Where it is the wrong choice

Tell us how you want the finished design to look. We can help compare suitable methods for the selected body and artwork, then show the proposal on a free digital mock-up before the sample is arranged.

  • Photographs, gradients or fine shading — use UV or heat transfer
  • More than three colours — each colour is another screen and another pass
  • Artwork that wraps a full 360° — the seam is hard to hide
  • Very small type below about 5 pt — the mesh fills in

More than three colours, or a photograph? Screens stop being the cheap option there. Use UV printing for short runs and artwork that changes, or heat transfer for large runs of one design that has to wrap the body.

Cost and minimum order

From about $0.03 per piece for one colour at volume; each extra colour adds a screen and a pass. Screen setup is a one-off per design. MOQ is 500 pieces per design in stock colours, 1,000 if the body is in your own Pantone. The exact figure depends on your artwork and run size, and we come back with it once we review your brief.

What to send us

Vector (AI, EPS or PDF) with text converted to outlines. Tell us the Pantone reference rather than an RGB screenshot — a colour picked off a monitor and a colour mixed in ink are two different things. We return the mockup free before anything is quoted as final.

Keep the body, accessories and artwork versions together

Review the sleeve and body as one set. Send the selected model, sleeve colour and logo placement together. We can compare the decoration on the sleeve sample alongside the body and lid. Your contact keeps the agreed colour and artwork references with the order, including any separate packing requirements for the set.

Several logos in one programme. Send each artwork file, the quantity for each version and your required date. Different artworks can need separate screens and setups, so we confirm the applicable setup and printing charges in the quotation. Your contact keeps each approved version with its quantity split, helping the packing team match the right logo to the right group.

Models to discuss: TH-1005 , TI-1256 , TI-1262. Send the selected model and artwork so we can confirm the available decoration options.

What we need to quote it

Please send the model, order quantity, each artwork version and delivery destination. Tell us the print colours and quantity split for each logo, so the quotation can show the relevant setup and per-piece charges. Let us know your target date and packing requirements too, so your contact can keep the approved versions and shipment details together.

If you are still choosing between methods, send the artwork and say what it is for. We will tell you which process we would run and why, including when the answer is a cheaper one than the page you are reading.

Inside our marking workshop

A look at a printing station in our marking workshop. For silk screen printing, compare the product photos above and send your model and artwork so we can plan the sample.

Frequently asked

One to three flat colours is the normal range. Each colour needs its screen and printing pass, while the total quotation also depends on the model, print area and quantity. If you have several logos, send each file and its quantity split so we can show the applicable setup and printing charges for each version.

We can review printing on a selected silicone sleeve. Send the model, sleeve colour and logo, and we will check the decoration on the sleeve sample before confirming the method and quote. The approved sleeve and body references stay together with the order.

Send the artwork at the size you want it printed. We can review small text and fine lines on a mock-up and the selected sample before agreeing the logo size and position. If a detail needs more space or another method, your contact can show you the option before the artwork is approved.

The lowest total depends on the model, artwork, print area and quantity, including any setup fee. Simple one-colour artwork at a suitable volume is worth comparing with silk screen; detailed artwork may call for another method. Send your logo and quantity so we can compare the methods that suit the product and quote setup and per-piece costs separately. See the logo cost guide.

MOQ depends on the selected model, colour and decoration. For models covered by the confirmed mixed-colour rule, stock colours can be combined to reach 500 pieces total; a custom Pantone colour starts at 1,000 pieces per colour. Share the model and colour split and we’ll confirm the applicable minimum before quotation.
Sample timing depends on the selected model, artwork and decoration scope. Send the model, logo file, destination and target date; we will confirm artwork review, sample preparation and courier timing. Physical sample and courier costs are calculated together before payment.

Send the model and decoration you plan to use. We can check the available care guidance for that combination and discuss any specific cleaning requirement before confirming the sample and order.

All four sales representatives — Beyond Lee, Miya Wu, Candy Tang and Shally Zhang — welcome global buyers in English and take part in our internal service competition to provide the most attentive follow-up. Choose Miya, Candy or Shally and Sales Manager Beyond Lee supervises the full order process from sample to shipment; choose Beyond Lee and a dedicated assistant works alongside him to co-follow your order. Each contact serves global buyers in English first and is also particularly familiar with specific order types and regional markets: Beyond Lee for custom development, logo options and new tooling; Miya Wu for supermarket, retail, online/FBA and brand orders (esp. Europe, Russia & CIS); Candy Tang for promotional gift campaigns and multi-item sets (esp. the US & Canada, Spain & Latin America, Oceania and select African markets); and Shally Zhang for volume orders, container scheduling and incoming accessory checks (esp. Brazil & Portugal, Southeast Asia and the Middle East).

Related

Global English Service Competition & Full-Process Supervision: All four representatives welcome enquiries in English from global buyers and compete on service quality. Choose Beyond Lee (co-followed with a dedicated assistant), Miya Wu (retail, brand & FBA; esp. Europe, Russia & CIS), Candy Tang (promotional gifts; esp. the US & Canada, Spain & Latin America, Oceania & select African markets), or Shally Zhang (volume orders; esp. Brazil & Portugal, Southeast Asia & the Middle East) — with Sales Manager Beyond Lee supervising the full order process from sample to shipment.

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