In-mould embossing raises a logo, measure ladder or pattern directly into the glass surface during forming, using an engraved mould. Once the mould is cut, there's no per-piece decoration cost and the branding never wears off. It's ideal for permanent brand marks and legal measure lines; screen printing remains better for multi-colour artwork.
How in-mould embossing works
In-mould embossing creates a raised or recessed design as an integral part of the glass, formed at the moment the molten glass takes shape. The design is engraved into the mould itself; when glass is pressed or blown into that mould, it takes on the relief permanently. The result is a logo, measure ladder or texture that is part of the glass, not applied to its surface.
Because the decoration happens during forming rather than as a separate step, there is no per-piece decoration cost once the mould is engraved. The only cost is the one-time mould engraving; every glass after that carries the brand for free.
Why spirits and beverage brands choose it
For beverage and spirits brands, in-mould embossing solves two problems at once. First, permanence: an embossed logo cannot wear off, scratch off or fade through thousands of commercial dishwasher cycles, unlike some surface decoration. Second, legal measure marks: peg and measure ladders (30/45/60 ml) embossed into the glass give a permanent, tamper-evident pour line that regulators and bars rely on.
It also delivers a premium tactile quality — a raised logo the drinker feels — that signals a considered, branded product rather than a generic glass with a sticker. For on-trade activations and branded barware programs, that perception matters.
In-mould embossing vs screen printing
The two techniques serve different needs. Embossing wins for permanence, zero per-piece cost at volume, measure marks, and tactile branding — but it's monochrome (it's relief, not colour) and requires a mould investment. Ceramic screen printing wins for multi-colour logos, detailed artwork and full-colour campaign designs, applied as fired ink — but it has a per-piece decoration cost and, if poorly done, can wear over time.
Many branded programs use both: an embossed logo and measure ladder for permanence, plus a printed campaign design for colour. The right mix depends on whether your priority is a lasting brand mark or vivid seasonal artwork.
Once we cut an embossing mould for a brand, their per-piece decoration cost on that mark drops to zero for the life of the mould — which is why a brand ordering repeat containers almost always embosses the logo and reserves printing for the colour artwork.
Frequently asked questions
What is in-mould embossing on glass?
It's a raised or recessed design formed directly into the glass during manufacturing, using an engraved mould. The logo or pattern becomes part of the glass permanently, with no per-piece decoration cost once the mould is made.
Does embossing cost more than printing?
Embossing has a one-time mould engraving cost but zero per-piece cost after that, so it's cheaper at volume. Screen printing has no mould cost but a per-piece ink cost, making it better for short runs or multi-colour artwork.
Can you emboss a measure line into a glass?
Yes — peg and measure ladders (30/45/60 ml) are commonly embossed into the glass, giving a permanent, tamper-evident pour line that bars and regulators rely on.
Will embossed branding wear off?
No — because the design is part of the glass itself, embossing cannot wear, scratch or fade, even through thousands of commercial dishwasher cycles. That permanence is its main advantage over surface decoration.