Digital Glass Printing
What's That?
At Chain Glass Enterprises Inc., we are one of the few companies in the Philippines offering advanced digital glass printing technology. We transform ordinary glass into a dynamic medium for art, branding, and architecture. Our cutting-edge printing service allows high-resolution images, patterns, and graphics to be printed directly onto glass surfaces—with precision, vibrant detail, and lasting durability.
Using advanced ceramic ink technology, each print is baked into the glass during tempering, making it fade-resistant, scratch-resistant to everyday use, and weather-tough—ideal for both interior and exterior applications. Whether it’s for feature walls, partitions, facades, signage, or custom decorative panels, our process opens up a new dimension in glass design. These inks provide exceptional durability against wear, abrasion, UV rays, and harsh weather, making them a top choice for exterior-facing (Face 1) applications where long-term performance truly matters.
Printed panels are compatible with laminated safety glass, insulated glass units (IGUs), and can even be adapted for curved applications, allowing maximum flexibility in both design and performance. From bold, colorful statements to subtle textures and branding, we help architects, designers, and builders turn vision into vibrant, durable glass solutions.
Things to Consider
DPI (Resolution)
To achieve high-quality print results, it is important that your image files are submitted at a resolution of 150 to 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the actual print size. Images with lower resolution may appear blurry or pixelated when printed on large panels, especially if the file needs to be scaled. Ensuring the right resolution from the start guarantees sharper, more accurate visuals on glass.
Printed Side and Mirror Image
Digital glass prints are typically applied to the back of the glass and viewed from the front, which helps protect the printed surface. In some cases—such as laminated or second-surface applications—a mirror image of the design may be required so that the final print appears correctly when viewed through the glass. Please specify if a mirrored layout is needed during the submission process.
White Ink Options
Unlike paper, glass has no inherent white background. As a result, the use of white ink plays a crucial role in how your image will appear. You can choose to have a full white background behind your design, selective (spot) white ink on certain areas, or no white at all to create a fully transparent effect. The choice between printed white and transparency can greatly influence the visual impact and how the colors appear when installed.
Aspect Ratio
Maintaining the correct aspect ratio of your image is essential to avoid distortion. Stretching or compressing an image to fit a specific panel size may lead to unwanted cropping or image quality loss. It is best to design or resize your artwork to match the final glass panel dimensions, or allow for intentional margins and framing.
Glass Thickness and Clarity
The thickness and type of glass used can also influence the final print appearance. Clear, low-iron glass allows for the most accurate color rendition, while thicker or tinted glass may subtly alter the vibrancy and clarity of the image. Understanding how glass interacts with light and ink is important in selecting the appropriate substrate for your design.
Glass Application: Interior or Exterior
Knowing where the glass will be used—indoors or outdoors—helps determine the appropriate materials and printing process. For exterior use or areas exposed to the elements, we recommend tempered or laminated glass with ceramic ink for maximum durability. For insulated glass units (IGUs) or laminated panels, printing is usually done on the inner surface to protect the artwork.
Image Type: Pixel or Vector
Understanding the type of image you’re submitting is important for achieving optimal clarity. Pixel-based images (like photos or raster graphics) must be high-resolution at print size to avoid blurring. Vector-based graphics (such as logos or line art) scale cleanly to any size, making them ideal for crisp, sharp edges. If your artwork contains both, we recommend reviewing it closely to ensure all elements meet quality standards.
Frit Patterns
Bird Collision Prevention
Glass may be beautiful, but to birds, it can be invisible—and deadly. At Chain Glass Enterprises Inc., our digital glass printing technology can be used to create custom frit patterns that make glass visible to birds while maintaining transparency and aesthetic appeal for humans.
These patterns help reduce the risk of bird strikes on building facades, windows, and glass railings—especially in high-risk areas like green zones, coastal buildings, or high-rise structures.
Whether you’re aiming for a functional safety feature or want to combine it with a unique architectural look, we can print precise, durable frit designs that meet both design and wildlife safety standards.
Glass Specification
Minimum Glass Size: 300mm × 300mm
Maximum Glass Panel Size: 2400mm × 3600mm
Our digitally printed glass is suitable for a wide range of architectural applications and can be processed further to meet specific design or safety requirements. Laminated glass is recommended for high-risk areas such as skylights, overhead walkways, or places with heavy foot traffic, where enhanced safety and shatter resistance are essential. For projects requiring fluid or organic forms can be produced for aesthetic or architectural design purposes, depending on the print and bend specifications. When improved thermal and acoustic performance is required, or for use in building facades and exterior glazing, our printed glass can be incorporated into Insulated Glass Units (IGUs)—sealing the artwork within layers to protect against moisture, UV exposure, and temperature fluctuations while helping improve energy efficiency.
For projects requiring a uniform, opaque finish, we also offer high-volume solid white printing, ideal for school whiteboard, back panels, privacy features, or as a base layer for further artwork. Our system is capable of processing up to 20 full-size sheets per day, allowing for efficient turnaround on large-scale projects.
Need Assistance
Looking for guidance with your design? Let our team help you bring your vision to life. Whether you’re starting from scratch or need assistance adjusting your artwork for glass printing, our experts are here to support you—from layout and scaling to white ink layering and material selection. Share your ideas, and we’ll help turn them into architectural glass solutions that are both stunning and functional.