What are the common appearance processes for insulated bottles?

Insulated bottle is not only functionally able to keep drinks warm or cold, but also a commonly used beverage container in daily life. When choosing an insulated bottle, in addition to the consideration of insulation performance, the appearance of the insulated bottle is also crucial. The appearance of the process not only directly affects the beauty and feel of the insulation bottle, but also to improve its durability, so that it is more suitable for different occasions. In this article, we will introduce the common appearance of insulation bottle process and its characteristics.

Ⅰ.The common appearance of insulation bottle process

The surface treatment process of insulated bottles refers to the process of treating and processing the outer shell of the insulated bottle to improve its appearance and selling point. Common surface treatment processes include spraying process, transfer process, electroplating process, laser engraving process and printing process. The following will be subdivided from these categories to describe the advantages and disadvantages and applicable scenarios, and analyze the actual demand and timing of the choice of appearance treatment process.

1、Spraying process

Spraying is the process of spraying pigments and paints on the surface of insulation bottles. It can be divided into 3 sub-categories according to its different uses and needs:

Coating spraying

Coating spraying is usually carried out in the later stage of the production of insulated bottles, which can improve the durability and aesthetics of insulated bottles on the basis of not affecting the insulation effect. The process can form a hard, smooth and wear-resistant coating, but the cost is relatively high, and there are more machines and equipments in the treatment process, which requires the cooperation of staff.

Powder spraying

Powder spraying is the process of spraying powder coating onto the surface of insulated bottles through a spray gun and then curing it at high temperature to form a hard, colorful and corrosion-resistant coating. This process is popular and can be applied to many different colors and designs of insulated bottles. However, it is necessary to pay attention to strictly control the thickness of the coating in the process of application, otherwise it will affect the insulation effect of the bottles.

UV curing spraying

UV-cured spraying is a process of using UV light to irradiate the coated insulated bottle to make the coating react and solidify into a hard substance. The selection and quality requirements for materials and coatings are high, and more effort and time need to be invested in quality control and practical application. The use of this process usually requires the selection of coatings and processing such as wet coating or powder spraying before treatment with the UV curing process.

Easy spraying

Easy spraying usually uses pre-coating technology.When the spray coating is applied to the surface of the insulated bottle, the latex forms an ionic layer on the surface of the insulated bottle after oxidizing the treatment. Once the ionic layer dries, a smooth surface is formed that can be used for cosmetic treatments such as painting.

Spraying processes include various forms of coating spraying, powder spraying, UV cured spraying, and easy spraying processes. Each process has its unique advantages and applicable scenarios, which need to be considered according to the appearance requirements of insulated bottles, production costs and other aspects to make a choice.

Advantages: Spraying is a common appearance process that is widely used in various materials and industries and is the most common surface treatment method for insulated bottles. After spraying the surface of the insulated bottle colorful, delicate, layered and three-dimensional, and high stability, not easy to peel, not fade very durable.

Disadvantages: Since the insulated bottle is often in contact with hot water, if you use unsuitable coatings, the coating will be easy to fall off, which will also affect the aesthetics and service life of the insulated bottle.

Applicable scenarios: Coating spraying is usually applied to the treatment carried out in factories during mass production, which can improve the aesthetics and durability of the surface of insulated bottles. Powder coating is very popular in insulated bottles with diverse color and design requirements, and UV curing coating is usually used in high-end, high-quality insulated bottle production.

In short, the spraying process is suitable for various scenarios, can be personalized and customized, and can increase brand promotion effects, enhance the value of gifts, and more.

2、Transfer printing process

Water transfer

Water transfer printing process is a process of printing special patterns or patterns on water transfer paper, and then transferring the pattern to the surface of the insulated bottle. Water transfer bottles common water transfer materials such as sodium hydroxide, printed plastic film. Water transfer printing is a new type of surface treatment process that can create a textured, colorful, and three-dimensional pattern on the surface of the insulated bottle, greatly improving the texture and hand feel of the insulated bottle. At the same time, it can also improve the decorative effect of the insulated bottle. However, the effect and durability of water transfer printing are different due to the use of different materials, and suitable materials need to be selected.

Heat transfer

Heat transfer printing is another common transfer process, applicable to the appearance of various insulated bottles. In the heat transfer printing process, the coating is printed onto the exterior of the thermos by passing it through a special heat-sensitive transfer paper, which is then transferred at high temperatures. Heat transfer printing can usually be applied to outdoor events, marketing promotions and gifts.

Vacuum forming transfer

Vacuum forming transfer printing is a relatively new transfer process, which is not widely used in practical applications. The process is the insulated bottle sticker plastic transfer to the surface of the insulated bottle, through the high temperature of the pattern or text on the paper into the entity, forming the appearance of the insulated bottle made of plastic.

Advantages: Transfer printing is an important appearance treatment process for insulated bottles. The process can produce a wide variety of designs, text, patterns, etc. It is capable of creating three-dimensional, rich patterns and images on the surface of insulated bottles and has a long service life. It is very easy to customize and has high production flexibility. These patterns and designs can be applied to a variety of different insulated bottles, which can be used in a variety of scenarios such as store sales, gift customization and brand promotion.

Disadvantages: Transfer printing requires specific surface treatment of the bottle body and requires specific equipment and machines. In addition, it also requires strict quality control and quality management. When the screen printing ink is difficult to fuse, there will be unevenness, and the cost of materials required for making patterns is relatively high. It is difficult to print high-precision patterns and fonts, and the color cannot be guaranteed to be long-lasting. Printing on the surface of the insulated bottle will also affect its insulation effect.

Applicable Scenarios: Water transfer, heat transfer and vacuum forming transfer can usually be applied to store sales, brand promotion and order-oriented production. The transfer process is applicable to various scenarios, can be personalized, increase the brand promotion effect, improve the sense of value of the gift and team awareness.

3、Electroplating process

Electroplating is a process of placing two electrodes in an electrolyte and applying current. When the current passes through the electrolyte, the negative ions will move to the anode, and the cations will move to the cathode, so that the anode surface in the role of metal oxides formed a layer of uniform, smooth metal surface treatment process. Electroplating can increase the surface brightness and aesthetics of thermos cups, possessing several different treatments:

Metal plating

Depending on the needs, different metal materials can be selected for the treatment, such as chrome, zinc, nickel, copper and brass. The metal plating process is relatively expensive but can improve the aesthetics and durability of the surface of the insulated bottle.

Plastic Plating

The plastic electroplating process can form a transparent film on the surface of the insulated bottle, preventing liquid penetration or forming a film layer to lock the appearance. This process is more common and suitable for many different materials of insulated bottles.

Oxidation treatment

Oxidation treatment process can increase the durability and aesthetics of the surface of the insulated bottle, prevent the surface of the bottle from being scratched and damaged.

Advantages: Electroplating is a film layer made of metal or plastic materials that can strengthen the gloss and aesthetics of the surface of the insulated bottle, improve the grade and value of the bottle, and increase its durability, corrosion resistance, and mechanical wear resistance. It can also increase the toughness of the surface of the insulated bottle and increase the scratch resistance of the bottle.

Disadvantages: Electroplating is relatively expensive, especially for different types and materials of metal electroplating; in addition, environmental control is required, and longer processing time and transportation safety need to be considered. It is difficult to engrave or draw on the surface after surface treatment, and it is difficult to master the technology.

Applicable scenes: plating process is usually applied to high-end gifts, customized goods, special product promotion and other occasions.

4、Laser engraving process

Laser engraving process is the use of laser beams on the surface of the insulation bottle engraving patterns or content of a process. This process can create deep, textured fonts and patterns on the surface of the insulated bottle, with a long service life and excellent decorative effect.Laser engraving technology has a very high precision and speed, according to the needs of customers in the insulated bottle surface engraved with a variety of shapes and patterns, you can choose the font, size, depth and pattern, etc., very flexible, applicable to different industries and personal needs, not only can beautify the appearance of the insulated bottle, but also can enhance the insulated bottle personality characteristics and commercial publicity effect. Insulated bottles using laser engraving are usually very conspicuous and easy to identify and customize.

Advantages:  Laser engraving can produce complex, delicate, and personalized appearances, with fine and accurate effects and high gloss. It can design facial features, patterns, texts, and patterns according to needs and customer needs.

Disadvantages: Laser engraving requires special tools and equipment, often good equipment and also requires good equipment and a precise design process. This not only takes time, but also has a certain pattern limit for the number of bottles.

Applicable Scenarios:

Laser engraving is suitable for customized or design requirements of insulated bottles, such as wedding souvenirs, company souvenirs, high-grade gifts and other occasions.

5、Printing process

Printing is a process of using printing methods to process patterns, texts, etc. that have been made onto the surface of the insulated bottle to do processing, and can print photos, logos, designs, and any personalized patterns and texts on the surface of the insulated bottle.

Screen printing process is one of the surface treatment methods for insulated bottles. This method of screen printing by means of pigment or ink imprinted on the surface of the insulated bottle, forming a fixed pattern and other treatment methods. The process technology of screen printing treatment is high, the price is also higher, and the requirements for environmentally friendly materials are also higher.

Advantages: Printing is an important appearance treatment process for insulated bottles. The printing process can create a wide variety of appearances and designs that are not limited by shape or material. The process is also very easy to apply in situations such as mass production and branding. Silk-screen printing process is clear, full of color, conspicuous effect, durable and stable. The price cost is lower, which has the advantage; the sense of visibility is stronger, with the effect of mass production.

Disadvantages: The printing process requires a specific surface treatment of the bottle and the use of specific equipment and machines, etc.. It also requires strict quality control and quality management. Unevenness occurs when screen-printed coatings are difficult to blend, and the cost of materials required to produce patterns is relatively high. It is more difficult to print high-precision patterns and fonts, and the color cannot be guaranteed to last long; printing on the surface of thermal insulation cups will also affect their insulation effect.

Applicable scenarios: Printing is applicable to all kinds of  insulated bottles, which can be applied to occasions such as company brand promotion, gift customization and department store sales.

To summarize, when choosing the appearance treatment process, you need to combine your own situation, budget and demand and other aspects for consideration. Coating spraying, transfer process, plating process, laser engraving process and printing process have their unique characteristics and application scenarios, which need to be carefully selected to maximize the performance of the advantages in their respective scenarios.

Ⅱ.How to choose the right appearance process for the production of insulation bottles?

Different insulated bottle appearance process has its own characteristics, no one process is 100% perfect. When choosing, the corresponding appearance process for the insulated bottle should be selected according to the needs and usage scenarios to achieve the best use effect.  At the same time, attention should also be paid to the selection of high-quality insulated bottle brand, in order to ensure the quality and service life of the insulated bottle. In choosing the appropriate appearance process for the production of insulated bottles, can be considered from the following aspects:

Scene demand: Insulated bottles used in different scenes, the choice of appearance process also makes a difference. Such as commercial customization of insulated bottles need to choose high-grade, stable process, gift customization requirements of the appearance of the process is beautiful and unique, family use needs to choose the process suitable for daily cleaning and so on.

Budget cost: Different appearance process for the budget cost of insulated bottles are different, according to the budget consider choosing the right process.

Production quantity and lead time: Different process for the production of the number of restrictions and production cycle requirements are different, according to the number of production and production cycle to choose the right process.

Material: Insulated bottles are made of different kinds of materials, some metal materials are suitable for electroplating or spraying process, while some are suitable for laser engraving process or transfer printing process.

Printing effect: Different processes for the printing effect of different requirements, according to the printing effect to choose the right process.

According to the above aspects of consideration, you can choose the appropriate process for the production of insulated bottles to meet different needs and requirements. At the same time, you also need to pay attention to the choice of insulated bottle material, different materials applicable process is also different.

In general, each process has its own advantages and disadvantages. Different insulated bottles appearance process can visually make the insulated bottles get better texture and aesthetics, and their appearance also makes the insulated bottle form more rich, personalized and professional. The appearance of these processes and the development of not only to meet the different needs of people on the insulated bottle, but also the insulated bottle industry continues to innovate and develop an important direction.