printing on tiles

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framah

framah

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
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death star driver
Ok... Here is a new area I haven't seen here.

Does any one here do dye sub printing of art, etc. on tiles?
I have an artist who is having it done but she doesn't like the way the guy prints as he doesn't get the colors right. I'm thinking of getting into it for the artists up here to have another avenue to sell their work.
 
I have never printed on tile, but would like to try sometime. Wish I could run the tile through my Epson 7600 without buying another printer.
 
I've been doing dye-sublimation for 3 years now. The color profiles are tricky and can't always match to artists/photographers expectations. It has taken alot of testing to get to where I am today.

It's not just the printer, but the dyes, the transfer paper and the quality of coating the various distributors manufacture, the temperature of the press and the pressure applied also have an impact on the quality of the product.

Although I do small single tiles, most of the work I do is for tile murals for framing and installation (backsplashes and tub surrounds). It is a great product to offer and this year it's been a great profit maker for gifts.

If you decide to get into dye sublimination, be prepared to go through alot of testing, money and materials. It will pay off if you're persistent.
 
I know I would need another printer plus different inks for that printer that are dye sub inks as well as profiles specifically for that setup. I did notice that the tile my artist friend had was not very resistant and scratched easily. I assume that is what you mean by quality of coatings.
One company I talked to mentioned an exterior coating coming out in the year which should be moe rugged than what is out there now.

You mention tiles for backsplashes and tub surrounds. This is exactly what I was thinking of when I considered where to push this product. Consider a grouping of tiles that make up an image of Lupines in a field. People up here would eat that up!

Are the tiles you use for this resistant to scratching and such?

What instructions do you give the client about cleaning?

Do you do this for yourself to sell in your store or for artists for them to resell?
 
There are many different tile finishes to choose from. I use glossy ceramic for tub surrounds and backsplashes, matte tiles for some framed murals, gloss for others, and a unsanded grout custom tinted to accommodate the image style. The final product is seal coated with a silicone product. Cleaning is no different from ceramic wall tile. No abrasive cleaners or sponges.

I do Tuscany tiles for smaller motifs, have also done groupings of 12" tiles (way cool) I've also used porcelain and my latest has been glass. They say the glass tiles are resilient enough to walk on, have yet to put that to the test. Only your imagination can limit what can be done.

I scan most images on my flatbed, have sent some out to be drum-scanned. Resolution is another key component here.
 
As far as I have heard, the glass ones have the polymer coating on the back side so the image is behind the glass. This way you walk on the glass and not the image.

I never heard of the silicone seal coating but it makes sense. If you don't mind, I'd like to pick your brain about this. Maybe I could email off line??
 
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