Case Study: James Boag achieves rapid buy-in for a glass-look bottle redesign with 3D Systems' clear SLA 3D printing

Glass Bottle Redesigned with Confidence Using Clear SLA 3D Printing

Orora, the supplier of bottles for Australia’s James Boag’s Premium Lager, needed to win client and consumer confidence for a redesigned glass bottle before investing in costly tooling changes. The challenge was to produce convincing appearance models that matched the clarity, iconic green hue and in‑hand heft of glass so stakeholders could evaluate the design without committing to full production.

Orora partnered with 3D Systems On Demand Manufacturing to 3D print color‑matched prototypes using clear SLA materials and by adjusting interior wall thickness to match weight, then applied wet/dry sanding, a tint and clear coat for a glass‑like finish. Four appearance models were delivered within a week, filled and trialed in stores, earned positive feedback, and cleared the new design for production—accelerating development while minimizing risk.

James Boag