Production Methods

Decor Trends candle-ready glass containers are produced using a variety of different production methods. The most common methods we use are artificial blowing, machine blowing, and machine pressing.

Artificial blown jars are created when highly skilled glass blowers force cool air down a long blowing pipe tipped with molten glass and create a small glass balloon. The glass balloon is then carefully dipped inside a cast iron mold. The glass blower gently pushes air through the pipe until the maleable balloon conforms to the exact shape of the surrounding walls. Afterward, the jar is removed from the mold, precision cut, heat tempered and polished using special machines. The resulting jars are seamless glass.

Machine blown jars are manufactured using mass production lines that mimic the artificial blowing process - but without the need for glass blowers. Blowing pipes attached to machines are tipped with molten glass and automatically injected into molds. Air is time-released using special calibrators that ensure a consistent jar shape, size, thickness, and weight. On the same production line, the jars are released from the molds, precision cut, heat tempered and polished. The resulting jars are seamless glass.

Machine pressed jars, also known as IS jars, are manufactured using mass production lines that mimic the machine blowing process. In this case, however, the machine's blowing pipes create a molten glass balloon that is not directly injected into a single mold. Instead, symetrical halves of a specific cast iron shape are automatically clamped around the glass balloon and steam-pressed together. Once released from the press, the resulting jars have seams on each side at the exact point where the two halves of the mold were joined together.

Although equivalent in quality, there are significant differences between pressed and blown glass jars. The most obvious difference is that pressed jars have seams and artificial or machine blown jars do not. At the same time, pressed jars are more consistent in shape and have thicker rims and walls. The pressing process allows for greater accuracy in defining the style of a particular jar. For example, we can use pressing machines to emboss specific markings onto the walls and bottoms or create perfect right angles. Seamless jars have slightly thinner walls, but maintain perfect clarity and a smooth, refined texture. As such, we manufacture high-end jars using only artificial or machine blowing methods.

Before you send us your request or stuff your first container using our online calculator, make sure you check with your current customers and your stock room to identify what style of jars you are comfortable using. We have found that most clients who use one glass style - blown or pressed - prefer to use only that style and are not happy when they suddenly switch to another.

Matching Glass Factories with Specific Jar Styles

Decor Trends' candle container line is comprehensive in size and scope, and cannot be manufactured in one facility. As such, we have split our jars up into families that denote unique regions of China where factories concentrate on manufacturing specific glass styles using the time-tested production methods outlined above.

At present, we will allow you to consolidate your purchases of different jar sizes and lid styles provided that they are produced in the same industrial area. Below is a list of our five main producing regions and corresponding jar styles:

Area 1: Artificial or machine blown apothecary jars
Area 2: Machine pressed apothecary jars
Area 3: Bulb jars
Area 4: Square and Rectangle Jars
Area 5: Votive Holders

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact our sales and customer service office for immediate assistance.