The Story Behind Alice®
Digital Imaging

Insights
General Glass International
February 26, 2025
How to Push the Boundaries of Creativity in Glass Design with Alice® GEN 3.0
Harlem Hospital in New York.

Digital imaging technology has revolutionized how architects and designers approach glass design. GGI’s Alice® brand draws inspiration from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, symbolizing a journey into limitless creativity and possibility.

Just as Alice steps beyond the ordinary, Alice® Direct-to-Glass Printing unlocks new dimensions in glass design. This advanced digital imaging process allows architects, designers, and artists to bring their visions to life with exceptional clarity and impact. “Tell Your Story with Glass” embodies this transformation.

With the DX-3 printing technology, GGI’s Alice® GEN 3.0 takes this legacy to the next level. Powered by Dip-Tech’s DX-3 printer, it delivers superior color fidelity, enhanced resolution, and unmatched design flexibility.

Equally important, this evolution reflects GGI’s expertise as a five-generation, family-owned business. Celebrating the company’s 125th anniversary in 2025, GGI continues to help architects and artists reimagine storytelling through glass.

The Launch of Alice® GEN 3.0

Alice® GEN 3.0 is a digital imaging process and a gateway to creative innovation. Through direct-to-glass printing, Alice® enables architects, designers, and artists to bring their most ambitious ideas to fruition. Whether for interior or exterior applications, GGI’s Alice® stands out for its precision, durability, and adaptability. The ability to print high-resolution, detailed designs directly onto glass ensures a level of quality and customization that was previously unattainable.

The Evolution of Alice® Direct-to-Glass Printing

Alice® has continuously evolved to meet the demands of the design and architectural community. Initially introduced in 2010, GGI was the first to pioneer digital imaging on glass in North America, utilizing Dip-Tech’s state-of-the-art technology. Over the years, GGI has expanded its capabilities, refined the process, and enhanced the quality to keep pace with market needs.

In 2015, Alice 2.0 was launched, marking a significant step forward in high-resolution glass printing and custom fabrication while also expanding the footprint of GGI’s production facility to increase efficiency and added capacity. Now, with Alice® GEN 3.0 and the integration of Dip-Tech’s DX-3 printing technology, GGI raises the bar again.

Advancing Digital Imaging with DX-3 Printing Technology

At the heart of Alice® GEN 3.0 is the DX-3 printer, a technological marvel that sets a new standard in glass printing. The DX-3 printer has a 12-color system, allowing for an extensive range of color configurations. This capability ensures vibrant and accurate reproduction of designs, from bold patterns to subtle gradients.

Key features of DX-3 include:

  • Compatibility with traditional, conductive, and precious metal inks, expanding its utility across various applications
  • Achieving resolutions of 720 DPI and higher, ensuring intricate details are captured with remarkable clarity
  • Faster running speeds and a split conveyor system for enhanced productivity make it an ideal solution for large-scale projects
  • Advanced layering capabilities that allow for multi-dimensional effects and textured prints

Glass Applications Enhanced with Digital Imaging

Alice® digital imaging has opened the door to diverse applications across industries. It has become a go-to solution for creating multifunctional building façade panels, stunning glass wall cladding, eye-catching signage, and bespoke interior design elements in the architectural sector. Residential designs, including single-family, multifamily, and luxury high-rise condominium projects, have benefited from this technology’s precision and versatility.

Architectural and Interior Design Applications

  • Commercial spaces: Digital imaging enhances branding and identity with custom-printed glass panels, feature walls, wall cladding, soffits, and artistic installations.
  • Hospitality industry: Hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues can create visually stunning environments that captivate guests and elevate their experience.
  • Healthcare: Durable, easy-to-clean glass solutions improve aesthetics, privacy, and functionality in medical environments.
  • Retail spaces: High-resolution printed glass enhances storefronts, all-glass entrances, and point-of-sale displays with vibrant imagery that attracts customers and reinforces branding.

Residential and Decorative Glass Applications

  • Glass partitions and room dividers: Create artistic and functional spaces with privacy-enhancing yet decorative glass installations.
  • Shower enclosures and backsplashes: Custom-printed glass complements interior design themes and adds a touch of uniqueness to single-family and multi-family residential designs—including luxury high-rise designs such as 200 Amsterdam.
  • Furniture and artwork: Designers can craft one-of-a-kind glass tables, doors, and artwork that reflect personal style and taste.

Artistry and Public Art Commissions

GGI has distinguished Alice® GEN 3.0 as a game-changer for artists and public art commissions, providing an innovative medium for large-scale artistic expression. Working with artists, from design concepts to final project implementation, requires a unique skill set that GGI has accomplished. GGI has contributed to some of the most visually striking public art installations, showcasing the versatility and vibrancy of Alice® technology. Here are just a few examples. More can be viewed by visiting our project gallery.

  • Harlem Hospital: GGI’s debut in the digital imaging of glass market segment, this project set the stage for future advancements in printed glass applications, integrating art and function seamlessly into the hospital environment.
  • Moynihan Train Hall: Stan Douglas’s “Penn Station’s Half Century” is a stunning example of how digital imaging on glass can transform transit spaces into captivating works of art, elevating the commuter experience with breathtaking imagery.
  • SunRunner Transit: A public transit project that utilizes Alice® printed glass panels to create visually engaging and informative environments, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of urban infrastructure.

Advantages for Architects and Designers

“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”Lewis Carroll,  Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. In the story, Alice refuses to dwell on the past. She acknowledges that change is constant and inevitable, like in a world where the impossible becomes possible. This idea of transformation, adaptability, and seeing the world from new perspectives is at the core of GGI’s Alice® GEN 3.0 digital imaging process.

With unmatched color range, precision, and scalability, Alice® GEN 3.0 empowers architects, artists, and design professionals to transform even the most complex design visions into reality—achievements once thought impossible. For example, this advanced capability played a pivotal role in the Moynihan Train Hall public art installation and the striking focal point of the George H. W. Bush State Office Building, where GGI was entrusted to push the boundaries of large-format direct-to-glass printing, accomplishing feats others deemed unattainable.

Digital imaging creates intricate patterns and vibrant, lasting colors, ensuring projects exceed expectations and become striking statements of innovation and artistry. As creative possibilities expand, Alice® transforms visionary designs into reality.

Architects and designers can achieve the look of wood grain, marble, stone, or flowing water. Alice® makes it possible.

Benefits of Digital Imaging on Glass

  • Alice® GEN 3.0 can be used monolithically or as part of an insulating glass unit or laminated glass configuration
  • First surface printing for bird-friendly glazing applications
  • Faster production timelines
  • Superior color-matching capabilities
  • DXP4 Advanced Software for seamless production and consistent results
  • High-quality outcomes that align with budget and scheduling requirements
  • Eco-friendly and sustainable printing processes with long-lasting, UV-resistant ceramic frit inks
  • In-house custom glass fabrication, digital imaging, and heat-treating for efficient workflow
  • Standard and custom designs are completely customizable and scalable
  • Digital print files are stored for ease of reordering

Sustainability and Durability 

In addition to stunning aesthetics, sustainability is critical in modern architecture. Using ceramic frit inks, Alice® ensures that designs are vibrant and long-lasting. Digitally imaged glass is heat-treated to fuse the inks into the glass. This creates a durable, scratch-resistant, and weather-resistant finish that requires minimal maintenance. For exterior applications, the printed glass is typically laminated for added protection.

  • Low VOC emissions contribute to healthier indoor air quality.
  • Solar Control and reduced glare yield greater indoor comfort and energy efficiency.
  • Recyclable materials and low VOCs make Alice® GEN 3.0 an environmentally responsible choice for sustainable architecture.
  • Hygienic solid surfaces are achieved with glass because it can be cleaned and disinfected frequently without degradation.
  • Durability is achieved with ceramic frit ink, offering long-lasting quality without concern for fading.

Experience the Evolution in Glass Design with Alice® GEN 3.0

Whether you are an architect designing a groundbreaking facade or an artist seeking a unique medium, Alice® is the digital imaging solution that transforms ideas into reality. To explore the potential of Alice® GEN 3.0, visit GGI’s website or contact the team at designassist@generalglass.com for design support, specifications, or samples. Bring your creative visions to life with GGI.

 

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