Below, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to perform the pre-production of a bottle for a still shot.

1. The paper labels are never properly or symmetrically bonded in bottles. For their removal, let the bottle soaked in water for a couple of hours; that’s what makes the label come off the bottle. Thus, the glue dissolves and the paper comes off without much effort.

2. In the case of plastic labels, it’s unnecessary to soak the bottle. For each type of adhesive glue there’s a corresponding chemical solvent proper to its removal. In this case, we used bestine. To remove the expiration date printed directly on the bottle, we used alcohol.

3. It is advisable to remove the label carefully to avoid any residual adhesive or paper in the bottle. The label may now be disposed of, since the client usually provides new labels with photographic quality, in order to streamline the postproduction.

4. The bottle is put aside while we prepare a spray booth, which can be of any sort, so as not to let the content of the spray spread all across the studio. It is recommended that the application of any spray be made outdoors with the aid of a mask, due to the chemical toxicity involved. Once the spray booth has been built, which can be reused many times, we apply adhesive permanent spray on the loose label sent by the client — in the illustration, right in the center of the cabin.

5. Next, we glue the label on the bottle. The adhesive should be permanent fixing to guarantee the label’s fixation, so do it with caution and precision.

6. Again, we leave the bottle aside while making a protective mask, so that one side of the bottle to receives a layer of spray while the other is left intact. We cut a piece of paper as the height of the bottle and half of its approximate circumference, so that the mask can wrap it.

7. Each side of the cut paper is taped with masking tape so it can be affixed to the bottle.

8. First, cover the front of the bottle so as to completely hide the front and leave the back exposed.

9. Glaze the back of the bottle with matte varnish. After completely covering the back with a layer of varnish, we leave the bottle aside to dry. Only after that will the cylinder receive another layer. Repeat this operation around four times to obtain the desired effect.

10. Now we cover the back of the bottle with the mask, while the front is left exposed, ready to receive some layers of varnish.

11. Now we repeat the 8th step — only with glossy varnish.

12. Finally, for the drops, we use a solution of water and glycerin. The ratio may vary according to the result you want. In our example, we use 1/1. Use the type of sprinkler you prefer to control the outcome. But make no mistake: This step is very subjective and subject to many interpretations. In advertising there are beverage stylists for this type of production, which can result in hours of work. Applying the drops so that the bottle looks refreshing is the biggest challenge of pre-production. It’s advisable to prepare several bottles before starting the freshness production, because the solution of glycerine will spot the varnished surface if you try to remove it in order to try again.

13. Surface tension — It is the property of the surface of a liquid that enables it to withstand external forces. In our case, it regards the behavior of droplets on the surface of our products. This is the main reason for the brilliant varnish in the face of the bottle: it makes up for a “loose” aspect in the droplets. Remember for instance that when waxing a car, the rain water that falls runs more smoothly and the drops are easily released. It’s the same effect that nature provides us with the dewdrops on the leaves of plants.