Glass — of glass
Glass is the foundational material for Glasso Group, lending its name to our company. Its inherent transparency and design flexibility make it ideal for crafting custom awards, from intricate figurines to elegant components.
Glass stands as the cornerstone of our craft at Glasso Group, embodying the very essence of our brand. It's not just a material; it's a blank canvas, offering unparalleled flexibility to bring virtually any design to life. Its natural transparency is a significant advantage, allowing us to employ a wide array of engraving and finishing technologies, both on the surface and within the material itself. This adaptability makes glass an indispensable choice for creating awards that are both visually stunning and deeply personal. Whether you envision a delicate figurine, a robust trophy, or a sophisticated component, glass provides the clarity and versatility needed to achieve a truly unique and memorable piece. We meticulously select specific types of glass, each chosen for its distinct properties, to ensure every custom award meets the highest standards of aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.
Optiwhite glass
*Our standard for clarity and neutrality*
Optiwhite glass is a refined version of standard float glass, engineered to virtually eliminate the greenish tint often visible at the edges of thicker pieces. This enhancement results in a significantly more aesthetically pleasing material, yielding awards that boast superior transparency and a truly neutral color profile. Like traditional float glass, Optiwhite is produced in sheets up to 19mm thick, making it suitable for a wide range of award designs. While it carries a higher cost than standard float, its pristine appearance and enhanced clarity make it the fundamental material we use for the majority of our custom glass figurines and awards at Glasso Group.
Optical glass (crystal)
*The pinnacle of purity for 3D engraving*
For projects demanding the highest level of purity and transparency, we turn to optical glass, commonly known as crystal. This material achieves a transparency parameter of nearly 100%, completely devoid of any color shades or internal imperfections. It's primarily reserved for spatial objects and awards thicker than 19mm, especially when intricate 3D internal engraving is desired. The clarity of optical glass ensures that internal engravings, such as detailed product models or logos, appear crisp and brilliantly white. Used in precision applications like microscope lenses, optical glass is categorized by quality classes like K5 (lower) and K9 (highest), differing in impurity levels, air bubbles, and internal uniformity. We typically use K9 for its superior quality.
Colored glass
*Adding vibrant accents and unique foundations*
To introduce visual depth and distinction, we incorporate colored glass into our designs. This material is tinted throughout its mass, offering a limited palette of basic opaque and semi-transparent hues. While less versatile than clear glass for internal marking methods like 2D or 3D engraving, colored glass excels as an accent. We frequently use it for decorative elements, sturdy bases, or as complementary components within a larger award structure. Surface marking techniques are ideal for colored glass, including UV printing for vibrant graphics, sandblasting (with or without paint filling for contrast), and CO2 surface engraving for subtle textural effects. Its unique character makes it perfect for awards needing a pop of color or a distinct foundation.
Black glass
*Deep luster for gravitas and elegance*
Black glass offers a striking aesthetic, characterized by its high gloss and profound, deep black color. This material instantly adds a sense of gravity and elegance to any award. While widely utilized for creating sophisticated bases, black glass is also an excellent choice for entire figurines or specific components that require a bold statement. Black optical glass represents one of the most exclusive types of optical glass available, reflecting its superior quality and striking visual impact. We often reserve it for the bases of our most premium and exclusive custom awards, where its rich, reflective surface can truly enhance the overall presentation and perceived value of the piece.
6 pieces from glass in the gallery.
Real commissions using this material. Click through to see materials, dimensions, and engraving details per piece.
Working with glass.
Why does Glasso Group primarily use Optiwhite glass instead of standard float glass?
We choose Optiwhite glass because it has been specially processed to remove the greenish tint commonly seen in standard float glass, especially at thicker edges. This ensures our awards are exceptionally clear, neutral in color, and aesthetically superior, providing a pristine canvas for your custom designs without any unwanted color cast.
What is the main difference between Optiwhite glass and optical glass (crystal)?
Optiwhite glass is a highly clear, neutral-colored glass suitable for most awards up to 19mm thick. Optical glass, or crystal, represents the purest form, offering nearly 100% transparency with no impurities or color. It's primarily used for thicker objects (over 19mm) and is essential for achieving the clearest, most detailed 3D internal engravings, making it ideal for high-precision applications.
Can 3D internal engraving be done on colored glass?
No, 3D internal engraving is not possible on colored glass. The internal tinting of the material prevents the laser from creating a clear, visible image inside. For colored glass, we recommend surface marking methods such as UV printing, sandblasting (with or without paint fill), or CO2 surface engraving to personalize your award.
What do K5 and K9 refer to in optical glass?
K5 and K9 are common quality classifications for optical glass. They denote the purity level, with K9 being the highest class. The distinctions lie in factors like the presence of impurities, air bubbles, and internal non-uniformities (streaks or waves). K9 optical glass offers superior clarity and fewer imperfections, making it the preferred choice for the most demanding and visually critical award projects.
When should I choose black glass for my custom award?
Black glass is an excellent choice when you want to convey a sense of gravitas, elegance, and exclusivity. Its deep, high-gloss finish makes it perfect for sophisticated bases that elevate the main award. It can also be used for entire figurines or components to create a bold, striking statement. Consider black glass for your most prestigious or high-end custom awards.
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