Special Processes
                     
 
3 Dimensional Printing
 
               
 

One way to make your message stand out! Technically speaking this is not printing but the placing of moulded or shaped clay onto the surface of the mug prior to glazing. The shaping can then be coloured using transfer prints placed onto the beaker surface and the 3D shaping.

The minimum run for 3D is 1500 pieces. Artwork should be supplied as a vector/line image as a single colour separation.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Laser Etching
 
 

Laser Etching results in an embossed image ‘carved’ into the glaze of an earthenware beaker, exposing the white clay biscuit of the mug. This gives the product a tactile appeal as well as visual.

After the etching process, the ware is fired at a very high temperature to render the biscuit non-porous, preventing the absorption of contaminants through the exposed surface.

The minimum run for laser etching is 1500. Artwork should be supplied as a vector/line image as a single colour separation.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Digital Printing
   

 
 

Using technology similar to an office laser printer, an image is printed direct to a specially coated paper in process colour. This is then cover-coated, becoming a water slide transfer which is applied to the mug.

There are no screen costs, just an origination charge when the design is finalised. You can have one print or hundreds. As with full colour printing, there are limitations on the strength of reds and pinks but with pastel and citrus shades the results are excellent.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  Dye Sublimation
   
 
DSP has been used in printing for some time but has only recently become available for ceramic decoration. Special inks are printed onto the surface of a coated paper, but not as a permanent print. The paper releases the print when heat is applied, when in contact with the prepared surface of a beaker.

DSP uses organic dyes allowing a stunning combination of colours. It is a more versatile finish than fired enamel colours, as it does not have to withstand a kiln firing. However, some loss of vividness can arise if exposed to too much bright light and heat and the protective film can lose its lustre if washed frequently in harsh dishwasher cycles.

Nevertheless, it is bold and with the right artwork opens up brilliant reproduction possibilities straight from computer screen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
   
 
   
Full Colour Printing
     
 

The image is broken down into four essential colours: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (known as CMYK). Most creative software can store an image in CMYK format, but be careful as the monitor may not give a Pantone accurate version of the image, it is best to send graphic files with a printed visual.


Note that the Magenta is not as strong as in paper printing, limiting the strength of reds and pinks. This can be overcome using spot colours from extra screens.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
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