Ceramic inks contain glass, enabling permanent fusion to the glass container when subjected to intense heat. The printed container is passed through a lehr (conveyer oven) where the ceramic ink is permanently fused onto the glass container surface. Precious metals, such as gold, can be used for decorating.
Full Answer
How is ceramic ink used to print on glass?
The printed container is passed through a lehr (conveyer oven) where the ceramic ink is permanently fused onto the glass container surface. Precious metals, such as gold, can be used for decorating. Applied ceramic labeling will provide copy that will resist scratching or chipping, and provide good chemical resistance.
How do you heat up ink?
The normal method of heating the ink is to pre-melt it and pour it onto a stencil made from steel mesh. The mesh has a controlled electric current passed through it, it heats up and maintains the ink in a fluid printing state.
Can I use metallic ink on glass or ceramic?
It is possible to use metallic pigments in organic resins and the effects can be close to enamels but the mirror finishes are only possible in specialist applications where the metallic ink is printed on the back of a high gloss plastic sheet. This is not suitable for printing onto glass or ceramic.
What is thermoplastic ink and how is it used?
Thermoplastic ink is particularly useful when printing multi-colours as when the warm ink contacts the cold ceramic or glass it hardens quickly so additional colours can be over-printed. The normal method of heating the ink is to pre-melt it and pour it onto a stencil made from steel mesh.
What is ceramic glass?
Ceramic Pro Glass is a specially formulated nano-ceramic coating used only on glass . It helps provide a protective shield on top of the glass, which not only keeps the windows cleaner, with reduced glare and improved water sheeting but also improves UV protection.
How much does a spray on ceramic coating cost?
If so, you can use a spray-on ceramic or hybrid coating that costs about $20 to $40 and is a spray-on – wipes off solution that can last a few months – with minimal UV protection.
How long does ceramic car coating last?
Most DIY ceramic car coating products available on the market last around 1-3 years on average. They should not be confused as being the same or an alternative to professional-grade nanocoatings – like Ceramic Pro 9H.
What can you clean with ceramic coating?
Easier Cleaning. With a ceramic coating on your car’s glass, contaminants that are usually difficult to remove such as bug splatters, bird droppings, tree sap, etc. wipe off much easier.
Why do you put nanoceramic on your car?
If you have ever used a nanoceramic coating on your car’s surface to protect the vehicle’s paint against UV rays, then you know how effective it is due to its hydrophobic properties which allow it to repel water and other contaminants and its longevity in protecting your surface.
What to do if glass cracks?
After inspection, you’ll want to wash all the glass, use a clay bar to smooth it out, and wipe it down with a diluted isopropyl alcohol spray solution and a clean microfiber towel. Coating Application – After the glass is prepped, ...
Why is it important to have clear glass?
Having glass that is clean and clear is essential for driving to give you the best visibility possible , which is especially important during bad weather. To help with this, a ceramic coat can be applied to your car’s glass.
The Drying Process
Drying of coatings, paints and inks can be accomplished with convection heating, infrared energy, a combination of convection and infrared, UV energy, and air drying. With convection, the air is heated, transferring energy to the surface of the coating.
The Application Process
How the ink or coating is applied to the glass has a large effect on the optimum drying method.
How to apply HTV to glass?
Applying the HTV to Glass. Start with very clean glasses. Use rubbing alcohol on the glass to remove any oil from your fingers. Iron for about 30 seconds. On fabric, you only need to iron the HTV for 12-15 seconds, but glass needs much longer! It needed closer to 30 seconds for each area to adhere.
What is heat transfer vinyl?
Heat transfer vinyl is vinyl that is applied with heat. Heat transfer vinyl is also known as HTV or iron-on vinyl. Heat transfer vinyl can be applied using an iron or a heat press. There are even mini heat presses for smaller items!
Can you put vinyl in the microwave?
You can use heat transfer vinyl (iron-on) or you can use permanent vinyl. Both of these vinyl types will require special care with use. Do not put it in the dishwasher or microwave. Hand-wash for best results.
What happens when you put ceramic ink on a coated paper?
When the printed paper is immersed in water, the soluble base coat dissolves, allowing the ceramic colors that are bound with the cover coat to float free as single film.
How long have glass and ceramics been decorated?
Glass and ceramic items have been decorated for hundreds of years. While the range of materials used to embellish them has expanded, the decorating techniques employed today have changed little over the years.
What is sublimation coating?
The item first has to be coated with a polyester lacquer. This coating absorbs sublimation inks, which turn from a solid form into a gaseous state as they are applied to the ware under heat and pressure from a heat-transfer press. The main drawback with sublimation decorating is that the image will only last as long as the polyester coating on the substrate.
What is inorganic ink?
Inorganic inks (ceramic colors) Ceramic colors, as inorganic ceramic inks are called, are a mixture of pigments (metal oxides and salts) and finely ground glass particles, called frit. These materials are fused to the substrate by calcining (also called “firing”) them at temperatures between 1100-2600°F (600-1450°C).
What temperature should I heat my printer?
Heating the products to a temperature of approximately 390°F (200°C) after printing may accelerate the curing process and improve adhesion. In addition, such heat exposure will typically enhance the mechanical and chemical resistance of the print.
What is the difference between organic and inorganic inks?
Organic inks are typically used in screen and pad printing, and they consist of organic pigments and resins along with other chemistries that cure over time and rely on temperature or some other form of energy to create a bond with the substrate. Inorganic inks use mineral-based pigments and materials that, once printed, have to be heated and melted at high temperatures in order to combine with the substrate surface and form a permanent bond. In both cases, the inks can either be applied to the substrate via transfers (decals) or printed directly onto the substrate.
What items require printed graphics?
Glass items that may require printed graphics include windows, mirrors, cooking utensils, bottles, containers, and more. The common property of both glass and ceramic materials is that they have to be heated to high temperatures after printing to ensure a durable decoration. The main difference is that formed glass can be melted and reformed, ...
