Using ceramic as luxury packaging

Using ceramic as luxury packaging in the spirits and drinks industries

Have you ever thought about using ceramic for spirit and beer bottles? I would think a lot of people would answer with no.

BUT... ceramic is such an obvious choice to use as packaging in the drinks industry and many brands, such as Chivas and Diageo, have realised the potential of using ceramic for their products due to many amazing benefits.

Here are a few reasons why ceramic is such a great choice for luxury packaging for spirits or beer: GLAZED

Ceramic can be glazed rendering it non porous, it has this in common with glass. Once fired, the whole of the decanter, inside and outside, is completely sealed so that no contamination will occur and the spirit is kept just as fresh as it would be in a similar glass bottle.

BOTTLE SHAPE Ceramic moulds can be designed in nearly any shape or form, meaning bottle shape possibilities are endless. Here at Wade we have created a wide range of different decanter shapes for numerous spirits industries. Some examples include a hula girl, a monkey and a rugby ball. The options for creating pretty much any shape you like is a huge advantage in the packaging, or container, market.

BOTTLE SIZE Do you want the option to have a decanter produced as big or as small as you like? With ceramic, we have the capability to create different moulds to produce different sized decanters. At Wade, we have produced decanters from as small as a 50ml Chivas bottle to a giant 40 litre Usquaebach whisky flagon.

BOTTLE DESIGN Ceramic can be sprayed with a huge variety of coloured glazes. A piece can either be one single colour or can be hand painted with many different colours, designs and patterns. One huge benefit with ceramic is the ability to apply lithographic print. Almost any artwork can be turned into litho print and carefully applied, by skilled hands, to the ceramic bottles. There are some amazing capabilities and some examples of exceptional design that we have been able to implement on pieces of ceramic and on ceramic decanters.

BESPOKE AND PERSONAL Using all of the above, ceramic gives us the opportunity to design, create and produce exceptional pieces that can promote and showcase your brand. Quality ceramic bottles can be personalised to help promote a product. One area we have found to be extremely popular is producing limited edition versions of a product in a distinct, ceramic decanter. Having a material that defies the norm can really help you to stand out from the crowd. Ceramic can deliver that feel of quality which is important to so many, especially with collectable, limited edition items.

So, next time you need packaging for your spirit or drink product, think ceramic!

8 Ways Ceramic is used in Modern, Day-to-Day Life Do you think you come into contact with ceramic in your day-to-day life? We've put together a list of 8 ways ceramic is used in modern life, the obvious and the not so obvious.

Take a read and you might just be surprised!

THE OBVIOUS 1. Tiles Our roofs, bathrooms and kitchens are covered in ceramic tiles. Ceramic can be glazed with different colours and printed with any design, so tiles can be tailored to different people’s tastes.

They are tough and easy to wipe clean once glazed which is perfect for use in the kitchen or bathroom!

2. Cookware Majority of crockery and pots are made from ceramic. From unglazed to glazed, mortar and pestles to the mug that holds your tea, ceramic is a staple material in the kitchen. Ceramic knives have also become common, they are one of the hardest knives you can buy yet are extremely lightweight!

3. Brick

Our homes are made from brick and are held together by cement, both of which are types of ceramic. Without ceramic, what would we use instead to create the four walls of our homes?

4. Toilets

Sanitary ware such as toilets, sinks and bath tubs are made from ceramic. Ceramic can be glazed and fired so that it becomes non-porous, perfect for sanitary ware which gets used every day and is, of course, in contact with lots of water!

THE NOT-SO OBVIOUS 5. Space

NASA’s Space Shuttle had thousands of heat-resistant tiles protecting its exterior from overheating due to friction generated by Earth’s atmosphere. Future reusable space planes are expected to use a new, slimline ceramic material that will enable it to be both more aerodynamic and withstand temperatures up to 2400°C. Composite ceramics are also used to create the nose cones of spacecraft!

6. Cars Ceramic can help to decrease pollution and capture toxic materials. Today’s catalytic converters are made with ceramic and help convert harmful fumes into non-toxic gases, therefore having a huge benefit on the environment. Ceramic components can be found in almost every aspect of a vehicle and are a major contributor to advances in hybrid and ecofriendly vehicles.

7. Artificial Bones and Teeth Toughened ceramic is used in hip replacements and is designed to be porous so that it can

stimulate natural bone growth around the artificial joint. You will also find ceramic fillings for your teeth where the ceramic is chemically bonded to your tooth making it extremely strong.

8. Electronic Devices

Televisions contain ceramic insulators, computers have silicon chips and the electric motors in your vacuum cleaner or blender are also made using ceramic!

Who would have thought that we would come across so much ceramic in modern life! Some people say that ceramic is an outdated material and it is often described as ‘old fashioned’. In reality, ceramic is the key to many of our new technologies and is used day to day by us all.

With ceramic, we have the capability to do things that we may only have dreamed of once. So next time you’re wondering what material would be good for your product, why not think ceramic?

Advantages of Ceramic

There are a variety of materials out there to make many different products. From glass to metal, each material has its advantages and disadvantages! But do you know what the benefits of ceramic are?

Ceramic Decanter Firing

Ceramic is all around us and not a day goes by that we do not come into contact with it. From healthcare to homeware to industry, ceramic is always being used and it is so important to modern day life!

Ceramic Knife

Here we are going to give you some important advantages of producing with ceramic and of a finished ceramic product: •

The soft clay or liquid slip can be easily moulded to become many useful things. The

opportunities are endless!

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There are a huge variety of options in terms of colours and finishes available.

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Once glazed, ceramic products do not stain and their colours don’t fade.

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Ceramic has an increased resistance to shocks and scratches meaning your products will last longer in better condition.

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Ceramic products are easy to clean and common household chemicals can cause no harm.

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Ceramic products are solid and durable.

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Ceramic is more chemically resistant, so doesn’t rust like steel!

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Ceramic is very lightweight, durable and smooth to the touch.

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Ceramic products are made to be treasured and are often kept as collectible items.

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Ceramic is environmentally compatible, it is made of natural materials and so can be disposed of harmlessly!