Painting — with color
Painting brings vibrant color and striking visual depth to custom awards, transforming transparent glass into a canvas for unique designs.
Painting is a versatile technique that allows for incredible customization on glass awards. Whether you're aiming for a bold, opaque finish or subtle, artistic accents, applying paint can dramatically alter the perception of an award. It's a powerful way to inject brand colors, create visual hierarchy, or simply add a layer of sophistication that makes an award feel truly bespoke. From solid blocks of color that redefine the material to delicate patterns that enhance its inherent transparency, painting offers a spectrum of design possibilities that elevate a simple glass form into a memorable piece of art.
Full-surface color
*Transforming glass with opaque finishes*
Applying paint across the entire surface of a glass award completely changes its character. This method is ideal for awards where you want to achieve a specific brand color, create a strong visual statement, or obscure transparency for a more solid, sculptural feel. The paint acts as a new skin, allowing light to interact with the color rather than passing through clear glass. This technique can make an award feel heavier, more substantial, and incredibly luxurious, especially when paired with polished edges or contrasting materials.
Accent and ornamental painting
*Adding intricate details and visual interest*
Beyond full coverage, painting can be used to add specific ornaments, logos, or graphic elements to a transparent glass surface. This approach allows the natural beauty and clarity of the glass to remain prominent while introducing pops of color or intricate designs. Think of a company logo painted in vibrant hues on a clear glass plaque, or a delicate pattern tracing the edges of a sculptural award. These painted accents draw the eye, highlight key information, and add a layer of visual complexity that enhances the award's overall appeal without overwhelming its form.
Painting + laser engraving
*A striking combination of texture and color*
One of the most impactful applications of painting is its combination with CO2 laser engraving. After the paint is applied and cured, a laser can precisely etch away portions of the paint, revealing the clear glass beneath. This creates a stunning contrast in both color and texture. Imagine a deep blue painted surface with a crisp, frosted white logo or text revealed by the laser. This technique offers phenomenal possibilities for intricate graphics, detailed text, and a truly premium finish that combines the richness of color with the precision of engraving.
6 pieces from painting in the gallery.
Real commissions using this technique. Click through to see materials, dimensions, and engraving details per piece.
Working with painting.
What types of materials can be painted?
While painting is most commonly applied to glass awards, its versatility extends to other materials like acrylic and some metals. For glass, it offers a unique way to introduce color and opacity where transparency once was. When considering painting for your award, it's best to discuss your material choice with our design team to ensure optimal adhesion and a lasting, vibrant finish tailored to your specific needs.
How does painting affect the lead time for an award?
Painting adds a distinct step to the production process, as it involves careful application and curing time for the paint to properly set and bond with the material. This typically adds a few extra days to the overall lead time compared to techniques like simple engraving. The exact duration depends on the complexity of the design and the number of colors used. We'll provide a clear timeline during the quoting process.
Can painted awards be customized with multiple colors?
Yes, awards can be painted with multiple colors, allowing for complex designs, gradients, or the precise reproduction of multi-color logos. Each color often requires a separate application and drying process, which can increase the complexity and lead time of the project. However, the visual impact of a multi-color painted award is often well worth the effort, offering unparalleled vibrancy and detail.
When should I choose painting over other color techniques like UV printing?
Painting is an excellent choice when you desire a solid, opaque color application or a specific finish that might not be achievable with other methods. Unlike UV printing, which lays down ink on the surface, traditional painting can sometimes offer a deeper, more integrated color, especially for full-surface coverage. It's particularly effective when combined with laser engraving for a textural contrast. UV printing excels at photographic quality and fine detail, while painting often provides a more robust, block-color aesthetic.
Ready to brief a piece in painting?
Tell us the moment, send your brand assets, and we'll respond with two material directions in two working days.