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  4. 30 June 2025

Glass types: which ones to choose for exclusive packaging

Extra flint glass packaging for spirits - VETROelite
Packaging for oil in green coloured glass paste - VETROelite
Full glass packaging design for spirits - VETROelite
Coated glass packaging with silkscreen printing for fragrances - VETROelite
Extra flint glass packaging for spirits - VETROelite
Packaging for oil in green coloured glass paste - VETROelite
Full glass packaging design for spirits - VETROelite
Coated glass packaging with silkscreen printing for fragrances - VETROelite
Glass: a guide to the different types and choices in high-end packaging

Glass is not just a material. It is a timeless language, an expressive medium capable of telling the identity of a product through purity, shape, colour and details.
Ductile, noble, sustainable: glass takes shape in the hands of those who know how to interpret its nature. In the world of design packaging, choosing the right type of glass does not only mean deciding how to 'contain', but also how to enhance, narrate, stand out.

Preserve, protect and promote is our motto.

In this article we explore the main types of glass, their technical and aesthetic characteristics, and the role they can play in creating exclusive packaging. Useful information to guide you in choosing the most suitable container for the product to be placed inside.
Extra flint glass packaging for spirits - VETROelite
Packaging for oil in green coloured glass paste - VETROelite
Full glass packaging design for spirits - VETROelite
Coated glass packaging with silkscreen printing for fragrances - VETROelite
Extra flint glass packaging for spirits - VETROelite
Packaging for oil in green coloured glass paste - VETROelite
Full glass packaging design for spirits - VETROelite
Coated glass packaging with silkscreen printing for fragrances - VETROelite
Glass types: an overview of the main variants

In the food, beverage and cosmetics packaging sector, the different types of glass respond to very specific functional and expressive needs. Here are the most commonly used:
  • Soda-lime glass: the most common type. It is resistant, versatile and suitable for many applications, from bottles for oil to those for spirits.
  • Borosilicate glass: appreciated for its high thermal and chemical resistance. Most commonly used in technical and pharmaceutical applications, it is also used in high-end cosmetics.
  • Extra flint glass: glass with very high transparency, free of green or grey tones. Perfect for emphasising the purity of the contents.
  • Paste tinted glass: integral, non-superficial colouring. Provides chromatic depth and protection from light, with a strong aesthetic impact.
  • Recycled glass: sustainable and constantly evolving. Ideal for projects where the green soul is the protagonist.
What type of glass is used for the bottles?

Most glass bottles on the market are made of soda-lime glass, a combination of silica, soda and limestone that guarantees strength, transparency and low cost.
However, when it comes to premium or tailor-made packaging, more premium variants come into play:
  • Standard flint: transparent glass with slight greenish hues. Good compromise between aesthetics and cost.
  • Extra flint (extra white glass): very high brilliance and purity, ideal for liqueurs, perfumes and luxury cosmetics. It brings out the light colours and translucencies of the contents.
The choice between these materials directly affects brand perception, product aesthetics and even the protection of the product from light and oxygen.
The VETROelite proposal, being dedicated to the premium world, is mainly in extra flint glass.

Thanks to its very high transparency and absence of undesirable colouring, extra flint is in fact perfect for packaging that wants to convey elegance, purity and authenticity. It is the ideal glass for enhancing spirits, oils and perfumes with prestige positioning.

A further option, paste coloured glass

Unlike painted glass, paste coloured glass is coloured in the mass, with an intense, deep and homogeneous colour rendering.
In addition to its aesthetic value, it offers protection from light (essential for wine, oils and spirits) and lends itself to sophisticated palettes, from classic amber to dark green, and even shades on demand.

In the event that it is not possible to supply this type of product, VETROelite offers a professional varnishing service to achieve an excellent result in a short time.

Typology of glass bottles: shapes, design and functionality

The typology of glass bottles is not limited to shape: it is a synthesis of ergonomics, storytelling and conservation function. Here are some of the most popular ones:
  • Cylindrical bottles: essential, contemporary, versatile.
  • Conical bottles: elegant and distinctive, perfect for high-end.
  • Square or rectangular bottles: strong visual impact, ideal for liqueurs and perfumes.
  • High or low-sided bottles: they play with proportions to convey a precise stylistic message.
  • Special shapes: custom-developed, they tell a unique story through glass.
Form also has an impact on functionality: stability, ease of handling, storage capacity and versatility in formats are key factors.

How to choose the right type of glass for your packaging

The choice of glass cannot be left to chance. Every project has its soul, and glass must interpret it. Here are the main factors to consider:
  • Aesthetics and storytelling
Glass is an integral part of the brand image. Shapes, colours and transparencies must speak the same language as the content.
  • Product purity and visibility
For products that focus on transparency or colour (spirits, oils), extra flint is a preferred choice.
  • Protection and functionality
Paste coloured glass protects against light and oxidation, which is essential for preserving quality over time.
  • Sustainability
Glass is itself infinitely recyclable. Choosing recycled glass or lightweight designs (our ECO range) reinforces the brand's green identity.
  • Customisation
From shape to engraving, texture to finish, every detail can be designed to express uniqueness.

From idea to product: VETROelite as your glass packaging partner

At VETROelite we believe that every packaging is a story to be told. That is why we accompany our customers along a path of listening, research and creativity.
Each project is born from a shared vision and takes shape in a glass container that expresses value, character and identity.

Full Packaging: a complete service, from the bottle to the ennoblement

At VETROelite we don't just supply glass containers: we accompany our customers on a complete creative and technical journey, thanks to our Full Packaging service.
From the choice of the bottle to the identification of the decoration techniques best suited to the positioning of the product, we build together a tailor-madeproject, coherent and distinctive.

Through a wide range of processes - from the most traditional such as screen printing, satin-finishing, varnishing, pad printing, hot foil and decals, to the most innovative such as ink-jet printing, metallisation with laser engraving or flocking we shape a packaging that enhances every detail of the content.

We complete the project by also evaluating closures and accessories: fundamental elements to express personality and functionality, perfectly integrated in the aesthetic vision of the brand.
With our Full Packaging approach, every element speaks the same language: that of excellence. 

Discover all our glass packaging solutions: patented design, attention to detail and versatility to tell your story in the worlds of spirits, fragrances and food & wine.