We know it’s not apparel decorating, but it’s food for thought for decorators exploring new revenue opportunities. Personalisation isn’t limited to T-shirts or tote bags—it’s transforming industries far beyond apparel. One Belgian distillery has taken customisation to the next level with Inkcups, inviting customers to create their own bespoke spirits and pair them with fully personalised bottle designs.
With Inkcups support, Sterkstokers offers its customers a truly unique experience. Photo courtesy of Inkcups
A Family Tradition Turned Modern Innovation
Sterkstokers, a distillery in Brecht, Belgium, offers individuals and brands the chance to create custom flavour blends and design their own bottles. Founded by Master Distiller Thomas Cuyvers, who discovered distilling ran in his family only after launching the business, Sterkstokers pairs a unique heritage with modern creativity.
Customers choose ingredients from an aromatic library and participate in hands-on blending workshops, leaving with 60 bottles of their own recipe—each featuring a unique design. “We invite our customers to choose their ingredients and help them with the blending during a workshop,” says Cuyvers. “After a few weeks, we produce the recipe and customers take away their own custom bottles. It’s a unique position in the market.”
Direct-to-Object Printing Elevates the Experience
Sterkstokers previously used adhesive labels, which worked well for large runs but didn’t align with its highly personalised approach. In 2024, the distillery invested in an Inkcups Helix ONE® UV direct-to-object printer, enabling cost-effective production of short runs—even a single bottle.
“The main benefit is the quality of the printing. It’s really, really nice,” says Cuyvers, who cites Inkcups’ support and training as critical to the distillery’s quick adoption of the technology. Print production lead Wim Janssens adds: “It’s easy to use and safe. The Helix ONE® has lots of sensors, so if something goes wrong, it just shuts down.”
Now, about 70 percent of customers choose DTO-printed bottles due to the premium look and design flexibility. Effects like varnish textures, transparent overlays, and unique finishes create designs customers can’t stop touching—and often keep as decorative pieces long after the spirit is gone.
Memorable Designs, Lasting Impressions
Special-edition projects, like a limited gin run celebrating a local flower festival or a custom Bar Woest-branded gin, have created buzz and collector demand. “It gives more oomph to the bottle because you see all kinds of bottles with just labels, but this gives it more cachet and something extra,” says customer Anke Joosen.
For Cuyvers, the combination of craft distilling and direct-to-object printing is a winning formula. “The recipe, the flavours, everything combined together is important,” he says. “But at the end, the design and the experience is the most important. It’s the first thing they see.”
A Lesson for Decorators
For apparel decorators, Sterkstokers demonstrates the growing power of personalisation across industries. Whether it’s a custom bottle or a one-off hoodie, today’s customers crave unique products and memorable experiences. With Inkcups’ Helix ONE® at the heart of its model, Sterkstokers is already exploring adding a second machine to meet demand.
The takeaway? Personalisation is more than a trend—it’s a way to future-proof your business and delight customers in new and unexpected ways.
