Café in Scotland Uses 3D Printing Technology To Create Artwork on Latte Foam

By Sarah Semple

We think it’s safe to say that we all know at least one person that’s obsessed with latte art that baristas create. You know, the kind where the barista takes their time to carefully add the heart details with cinnamon or just create the swirl on the foam. It’s just so Instagram-able! Recently, the Glasgow-based shop, Pink Inc Café, has brought out a total game-changer for coffee creations; using 3D printing technology, customers can choose a photo to be printed on the actual foam. Talk about a custom cup of coffee!

The café announced on Christmas Eve that it would be launching this at a Blogger & Business Brunch on Jan. 11. And, the printer can not only print your favorite selfie, but it can also print a logo or really any type of artwork, which is insanely cool.

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We had a chance to talk with café co-owner, Louise Tierney, on all the details behind this unique idea.

Starting with the printer, Tierney said that they use a “purpose-built machine based on an HP Desk Jet 1110.” From there, “there is a lift which raises up the cup, the printer then uses the inkjet printer with edible ink and prints on the foam,” she explained.

In addition, the edible ink that’s used on the foam ink is a standard food safety ink. “It is the same type that is used for cake toppers printing onto rice paper or icing,” Tierney pointed out.

Having your custom logo or artwork on a cappuccino will cost an extra £1.80—or about $2.35—but Tierney said the price will lower once the machine fees are covered.

Credit: Louise Tierney

While you’d have to travel all the way to Scotland to see your custom cup of coffee created in person, Pink Inc. Café has a solution for international fans.

“We are offering an international service where someone anywhere in the world can get their logo or photo on a coffee and we will send the video of it being printed and a nice photo,” said Tierney. “[This is] perfect for marketing purposes.”

This would also be a creative idea to send to clients. Coffee mugs with a branded logo on the front are awesome, but what if they were also sent their logo on the actual coffee foam? Now that’s next level.