A coated glass or glass ceramic article is provided that has a so-called “dead front” effect, where display features or icons are not visible in the off state. In some embodiments, the glass or glass ceramic article includes a sheet-like glass or glass ceramic substrate having two opposite faces, where the substrate exhibits, in a visible spectral range from 380 nm to 780 nm, light transmittance τvis of at least 1% for visible light that passes through from one face to the opposite face. An opaque coating on one face that exhibits, in the visible spectral range from 380 nm to 780 nm, light transmittance τvis of not more than 5%. An opening is provided in the opaque coating. The opening allowing light that is incident on the surface of the opaque coating to pass through the coating and through the glass or glass ceramic substrate. The opening has a width of not more than 80 μm at the glass or glass ceramic substrate.