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Materials · 6 min read · April 2026
What Types of Bottles Can Be Printed On? (Complete Guide)
Glass, plastic, shapes, coatings, and sizes — what works on a silkscreen press and what doesn't.
Materials that print well
- Clear and amber glass
- HDPE, PET, and PP plastics
- Aluminum bottles and cans
- Polypropylene cups and tumblers
Shapes that work
Cylinders are easiest. Slight tapers and ovals are routine. Sharp angles, deep concave panels, and irregular curves can limit print area or require specialized fixtures.
What's harder
- Coated or pre-labeled surfaces (silkscreen needs a clean substrate)
- Very small necks or shoulders with no flat zone
- Heat-sensitive materials that can't take ink curing