Decoration: the Last Step, and the One That Sets the MOQ
Print, label, spray, metallise or stamp. Each has its own set-up cost, its own minimum and its own failure mode.
The Five Options
| Method | MOQ | Adds | Fails as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silkscreen | 1,000 | 5 days | Thin coverage on a curved shoulder |
| Label | A few hundred | 3 days | Lifts in a wet bathroom |
| Spray coat | 3,000 | 5–7 days | Chipping at the base |
| Metallising | 3,000–5,000 | 8–10 days | Corrosion under an acid formula |
| Hot stamp | 3,000 | 5 days | Edge lift on a textured surface |
Why Decoration Is Quoted Separately
It is a different process, often a different supplier, and it is priced per colour, per pass or per unit area. A four-colour silkscreen needs four screens; a metallised cap needs jigs and masking. Both are set-up costs that do not shrink with the order.
The One That Surprises Buyers
Metallising on a cap that touches an acid formula. The plating is cosmetic, the plastic underneath is not chemical-resistant, and a pinhole is enough. Either the plated part stays out of contact, or the finish moves.
What to Send
Artwork with the number of colours, the position, and the surface it goes on. For a curved bottle, send a flat artwork plus a photo of a similar decorated pack — the wrap is where artwork fails.
Have Artwork and a Bottle?
Send both and we come back with the method and the minimum.