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Not All Glass Is Created Equal
Walk into any floral workroom and you'll find glass everywhere. Bud vases lined up on a shelf. Compotes waiting for a sympathy order. Cylinder vases ready for a Saturday wedding. But not all of it is made the same way and understanding the difference changes how you source, price, and design.
There are three ways glass gets made: mouthblown by hand, machine blown, and machine pressed. Each process has a look, a feel, and a purpose. Here's how to tell them apart and more importantly, when each one is the right call.
Mouthblown / Handblown Glass
This is glassmaking in its oldest form. A glassblower gathers molten glass on the end of a long iron pipe, then shapes it entirely through breath and movement. Rotating, heating, and coaxing the material into form. No two pieces are identical.
The tradeoffs: The craft commands a higher price point, and availability can be limited compared to mass-produced options. Because pieces vary slightly, they're not always ideal for large-quantity uniformity.
When to reach for it: This is your elevated glass. For weddings, it belongs on styled tables and curated installations where the vessel is part of the design story. In your retail shop, it earns a spot as a premium offering, the kind of piece a customer picks up, turns over in their hands, and decides they need it. The small variations aren't flaws, they're what makes it worth the price. Use it when the "no two are alike" quality becomes part of what you're selling.
Machine Blown Glass
Machine blown glass uses the same basic principle as handblown glass. Air pressure shapes molten glass inside a mold, but the human hand is removed from the equation. Automated processes produce consistent, repeatable results at scale.
The tradeoffs: What you gain in consistency; you give up in character. Machine blown glass is reliable but doesn't carry the warmth or individuality of a handblown piece. It's purpose-built for function.
When to reach for it: This is your everyday workhorse. When you're doing larger volumes, designer’s choice arrangement, a corporate account, a wedding with 30 tables that all need to match; machine blown glass delivers. It's also the right call when your design is the star and the vessel is the supporting player. Reach for it when reliability and value matter more than character.
Machine Pressed or Stamped Glass
Pressed glass skips the air entirely. Molten glass is forced into a mold under mechanical pressure, resulting in a heavier piece. This process lends itself naturally to bowls, compotes, and vessels with surface texture or pattern.
The tradeoffs: The weight and wall thickness mean less transparency and a different light interaction than blown glass. The shape range is narrower as this process is built for certain forms, not all of them.
When to reach for it: Pressed glass is the right choice when durability and value matter most. It's a natural fit for sympathy work where the heavier, more grounded feel suits the occasion. It's also strong for everyday retail: the accessible price point and sturdy construction hold up to shop handling and repeat use. When a client wants texture, weight, or a more traditional look, pressed glass delivers.
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