Glass growlers have become an essential packaging solution for craft breweries, brewpubs, kombucha producers, cold brew coffee brands, and beverage retailers. Their reusable design, premium appearance, and large printable surface make them an excellent choice for brand promotion.
Traditionally, growlers have been decorated using paper labels or screen printing. However, as consumers demand more personalized and premium packaging, many breweries are switching to digital cylinder UV printing for vibrant, full-wrap graphics and on-demand customization. Direct printing on growlers also helps brands stand out in an increasingly competitive craft beverage market.
This guide explains how to print on glass growlers, what equipment is required, and why UV printing is becoming the preferred solution for modern beverage packaging.
What Is a Glass Growler?
A growler is a reusable glass bottle used to transport draft beverages from breweries or taprooms.
Common applications include:
Craft beer
Kombucha
Cold brew coffee
Hard cider
Sparkling beverages
Specialty soft drinks
Popular growler sizes include:
32 oz (946 ml)
64 oz (1.89 L)
2 L growlers
Mini growlers for promotional events
Amber glass protects light-sensitive beverages, while clear glass offers a premium display for colorful drinks and branding.
Why Choose UV Printing Instead of Labels?
Many breweries still rely on adhesive labels.
However, digital UV printing offers several advantages.
Premium Shelf Appearance
Direct printing creates a clean, premium finish without visible label edges or wrinkles.
360° Full-Wrap Decoration
Unlike traditional labels, a cylinder UV printer can decorate nearly the entire circumference of the growler.
This allows:
Brand storytelling
Seasonal artwork
Brewery illustrations
Limited editions
Event graphics
Variable Data Printing
Every growler can feature different:
Customer names
Brewery locations
QR codes
Batch numbers
Promotional campaigns
No screens or plates are required.
Short-Run Production
UV printing is ideal for:
Seasonal beer releases
Brewery collaborations
Local festivals
Small production batches
Custom merchandise
Unlike screen printing, digital printing eliminates setup costs for small orders.
Step 1 – Clean the Glass Surface
Before printing:
Remove dust
Remove fingerprints
Eliminate oil residue
Dry the growler completely
Proper surface preparation improves ink adhesion and print consistency.
Step 2 – Create the Artwork
Most breweries print:
Brewery logo
Beer name
Vintage graphics
Hop illustrations
QR codes
Limited-edition artwork
Event branding
Full-wrap illustrations
Design files are typically prepared in Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
Step 3 – Position the Growler
The growler is secured in the rotary fixture.
The cylinder UV printer automatically:
Centers the bottle
Rotates it smoothly
Synchronizes printhead movement
Maintains accurate registration
This enables seamless 360° printing even on large-diameter glass containers.
Step 4 – Print with CMYK + White + Varnish
Professional cylinder UV printers print multiple ink layers in one process.
Typical configuration:
CMYK
White Ink
Varnish
This enables vibrant colors on:
Clear glass
Amber glass
Frosted glass
Colored glass
The UV lamp cures each layer instantly, allowing the growler to be handled immediately after printing.
Premium Printing Effects for Glass Growlers
360° Seamless Wrap Printing
Create eye-catching graphics around the entire growler.
Ideal for brewery branding and retail packaging.
Mirror Printing
Mirror printing is perfect for transparent glass growlers.
The printer applies:
Color → White → Color
This allows the artwork to appear vibrant from both the inside and outside of the glass, creating a premium double-sided visual effect.
Spot Varnish
Highlight:
Brewery logos
Beer names
Decorative patterns
Gold-style accents
Spot varnish creates selective gloss that catches the light and enhances shelf appeal.
Embossed Texture
By building multiple varnish layers, the printer creates raised graphics that add a tactile, premium finish.
Frosted & Matte Effects
UV varnish can also be used to combine matte and glossy finishes, giving premium craft packaging a distinctive look.
What Size Glass Growlers Can Be Printed?
Desktop Cylinder UV Printer
Printing Length: 0–240 mm (optional 300 mm)
Printing Diameter: 42–145 mm
Maximum Taper: ≤13°
Suitable for:
Personalized growlers
Brewery gift shops
Promotional merchandise
Small-batch production
Industrial Cylinder UV Printer
Printing Length: 40–270 mm
Printing Diameter: 45–120 mm
Maximum Taper: ≤5°
Ideal for:
Commercial breweries
Beverage packaging manufacturers
Large-volume production
Automated printing lines
Can Handled Glass Growlers Be Printed?
Yes.
Many glass growlers feature side handles.
If the handle is outside the printable area, the bottle can often be printed directly.
For certain growler designs, customized fixtures can ensure stable positioning while maximizing the printable surface.
Industries That Use Glass Growler Printing
UV-printed growlers are popular with:
Craft breweries
Brewpubs
Kombucha producers
Cold brew coffee brands
Distilleries
Wineries
Beverage startups
Gift shops
Promotional product companies
Corporate event organizers
Custom growlers also make excellent promotional merchandise that encourages repeat use and strengthens brand recognition.
UV Printing vs Screen Printing for Growlers
| Feature | UV Printing | Screen Printing |
| Full-Color Images | ✔ | Limited |
| 360° Wrap Printing | ✔ | Usually Limited |
| Variable Data Printing | ✔ | ✖ |
| Small Batch Production | ✔ | Costly |
| No Screens Required | ✔ | ✖ |
| Fast Design Changes | ✔ | ✖ |
| White Ink Printing | ✔ | Limited |
| Spot Varnish Effects | ✔ | ✖ |
For breweries launching seasonal beers, collaborations, or personalized merchandise, UV printing offers far greater flexibility than traditional screen printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can UV printers print on amber glass growlers?
Yes. White ink allows vibrant full-color graphics to be printed directly on amber glass.
Can transparent growlers be mirror printed?
Absolutely. Mirror printing uses a Color–White–Color sequence so the design remains vivid when viewed from either side of the glass.
Are UV-printed growlers suitable for promotional products?
Yes. Personalized growlers are widely used for brewery memberships, beer festivals, corporate gifts, and limited-edition collections.
Can every growler have different artwork?
Yes. Digital UV printing supports variable data, making it easy to personalize every bottle without changing screens or plates.
Conclusion
Glass growlers are no longer just refillable containers—they have become an important extension of a brewery’s brand identity.
With a cylinder UV printer, breweries and beverage companies can produce premium 360° decorated growlers featuring full-color graphics, mirror printing, spot varnish, embossed textures, and personalized artwork without the limitations of traditional printing methods.
Whether you operate a craft brewery, kombucha brand, coffee roastery, or beverage packaging business, investing in digital glass growler UV printing allows you to create memorable packaging, launch limited-edition products quickly, and respond efficiently to changing market demands.
Related Raycolor Guides
- Best UV Ink Adhesion Solution for Glass Bottles: How to Achieve Durable, Scratch-Resistant Printing
- Cosmetic & Skincare Personal Care Bottle Printing: Materials, UV Ink Adhesion and How to Achieve Durable Results
- Custom Packaging Printing for Small Brands: How Digital UV Printing Helps You Launch Faster
For machine selection or sample testing, explore Raycolor cylinder UV printer models, printing applications, or contact Raycolor with your product size, material, and target output.
