Milestone Decal Art offers both silkscreen and digital decals for various glass applications.

Most decals are semi-transparent on glass. The higher the final firing temperature, the less dense the color; this is especially true for hot glass like fusing and slumping. Ideally, the decals should be kept in the lower range of their firing to keep the decals as dense as possible.

Only the silkscreen metallic or white decals will work on dark glass. For fused glass firing it will be best to fire the decals on opaque white glass.

ABOUT GLASS DIGITAL DECALS

We use modified laser printers to produce the digital decals. The Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and blacK (CMYK) in our 4 color process are specially formulated mineral pigments. The high resolution photographic rendering is unmatched by other printing processes.

We have 2 different color palettes:

• The Red palette which cannot withstand high temperature on glass. It can only be used with a low melting flux applied over the decal. The flux is a thin layer of glass applied over the decals that would melt at around 1200F encapsulating the pigments. Despite the thickness of the flux being paper thin, this finish might leave a slight raised edge wherever you will cut the decal. To hide the raised edge ,we usually recommend having the edge of the decals falling with an edge on the ware or cutting the decal as close as possible around the image. These decals will be food safe.
• The Magenta palette which is stable on glass and can be fired on fuse glass from 1250F to 1450F. This palette will require a covercoat only finish that will burn away during the firing. It is always best to cut the decals close to the image as the covercoat can react with the glass or attract impurity leaving a devitrified mask.

Pros:

• 1 sheet 11x17in (A3) minimum order
• Photographic rendering with high level of details

Cons:

• Limited to cyan, magenta (red), yellow and black pigments
• Difficulties to match specific colors
• Color consistency on reprint or large print run
• Decals are transparent and will have their best density on white opaque glass
• Can’t be used a dark glass
• Stiffer than silkscreen decals 
• Less shelf life than silkscreen decals

 translucent on glass.

DIGITAL DECALS:  PRINT REQUIREMENTS

• 300 dpi resolution will yield the best results. Lower resolution or blurry images will yield a poor decal quality.
• Setup your layout using your favorite design app. Our preferred format is PDF, PSD or TIFF but we will accept any formats.
• We will take any color profile knowing that the best for RGB is “RGB Adobe (1998)” and the best for CMYK is “CMYK SWOP coated”. The CMYK profile will give you a more accurate rendering of what the digital decals can achieve.
• The printable area is 10.25x15.75in or 26 x 40cm. Fill this area with your designs to maximize the space. If you need a digital decal larger than this size, contact us about our custom large size printing services.
• Send your file to info@milestonedecalart.com. If your file is larger than 20MB, you may need to use a free file sending service like Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer or other.
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We are here to help.  If your image doesn't meet these guidelines, don't fret!  Contact us if you need assistance.  We offer reasonably priced design services, if required.

ABOUT GLASS SILKSCREEN DECALS

Silkscreen decals are printed using a paste that is squeezed through the opening on a screen to reproduce the image on the decal paper. Each color printed will be specifically mixed and will require a specific screen. The silkscreen is a more commercial way to print decals. 

We have 3 different color palettes:

• The Glass Leaded palette: This palette is the densest of all the decals we offer for glass and will fire at 1050F. We offer it with the option of a special additive to use it on borosilicate. We also offer an additive to make the decals GLOW IN THE DARK. The glow in the dark decals can be printed in any color but will always glow green.

• The Glass Unleaded palette: This palette will fire at 1180F. We offer it with the option of a special additive to use it on borosilicate but despite the additive it will require controlling the cooling to avoid some crazing and should certainly be tested before moving to production. Our glass metallic (Gold, Platinum and copper) can be fired from 1020F to 1200F and are unleaded but not microwave or dishwasher resistant.
• The Ceramic Unleaded palette: This palette can be used on fused glass firing from 1250F to 1450F. 

Pros:

• Possibility to match specific colors (for example to match logos)
• Possibility to print precious metals (gold, platinum and copper) as well white and glow in the dark
• Printable area is 10.75in x 16.75in or 27.3 cm x 42.5 cm.
• Have a strong opacity on glass especially the Glass palette
• Cheap for large quantities when using limited number of colors
• Print consistent over time
• Best for solid color 
• Decal are more flexible than digital decals
• Longer shelf life than silkscreen decals

Con:

• Cannot print color gradient
• Minimum 6 sheet order
• Each color added, will add to the cost

SILKSCREEN DECALS:  PRINT REQUIREMENTS

• To print silkscreen decals, your images will need to be a vector image with no halftones i.e. solid colors only.  The extension .ai, .svg, .cdr, .pdf and .eps are the preferred file formats but does not guarantee that the file is vector. If you are unsure do not hesitate to email us at info@MilestoneDecalArt.com and we can help you to create a vector art for you.
• Setup your layout using your favorite design app. Our preferred format is PDF, PSD or TIFF but we will accept any formats.
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• For critical color matching, we strongly advise to provide us with a pantone solid coated color number.
• The printable area is 10.75 x 16.75in or 27.3 x 42.5cm. Fill this area with your designs to maximize the space. 
• Send your file to info@milestonedecalart.com. If your file is larger than 20MB, you may need to use a free file sending service like Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer or other.
• 
  

We are here to help.  If your image doesn't meet these guidelines, don't fret!  Contact us if you need assistance.  We offer reasonably priced design services, if required.

The cost for the silkscreen process will depend on the number of sheets, number of colors and color palette used. Each layout and each color requires the creation of a unique screen, therefore there is a one time set up fee per layout that will increase with the number of printed color.  If one were to reprint this same layout even in a different color, there would be no set up fee.

Metallic colors have a surcharge that depends on the exact amount used for a specific layout.  We print with 22.8K gold and platinum that contain only certified conflict-free precious metals.