Methods for Digitally Printing on Ceramics

Abstract

Methods for digitally printing on various articles, particularly ceramic articles, are disclosed. A first step includes applying a fluid glazing material to an article creating a coated surface. The fluid glazing material can either contain an underprinting agent for accepting and adhering chromophores to the fluid glazing material, or the underprinting agent can be jetted onto the fluid glazing material prior to the jetting of chromophores onto the article. A chromophore-containing fluid is then jetted onto the ceramic article and the article is fired. Additionally, an inkjettable composition is disclosed having a large amount of metal ion present in the composition.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . A method for digitally printing on a ceramic article comprising: 
 (a) applying a fluid glazing material to an article creating a coated surface;    (b) jetting a chromophore-containing fluid onto a transfer medium;    (c) adhering the transfer medium to the coated surface; and    (d) firing the article.    
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 9  wherein the fluid glazing material contains an underprinting agent.  
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 9  further comprising the step of jetting a fluid primer containing an underprinting agent onto the coated surface.  
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 9  wherein the article is a ceramic article.  
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 9  wherein the chromophore-containing fluid comprises a transition metal salt.  
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 13  wherein the transition metal salt is selected from the group consisting of nitrates, chlorides, acetates, chromates, citrates, sulfates, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 13  wherein the metal ion provided by the transition metal sulfate salt is selected from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, uranium, lead, gold, molybdenum, silver, tin, vanadium, cesium, neodymium, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         16 . An aqueous inkjettable composition for printing on ceramics or other glazed articles comprising: 
 a) an effective amount of a chromophore, with the proviso that from about 0.6% to 50% by weight of a transition metal ion provided by the chromophore be present in the composition; and    b) an effective amount of a humectant.    
     
     
         17 . An aqueous inkjettable composition as in  claim 16  wherein the transition metal ion is present at from about 5% to 40% by weight.  
     
     
         18 . An aqueous inkjettable composition as in  claim 16  further comprising an effective amount of a member selected from the group consisting of co-solvents, biocides, buffers, viscosity modifiers, surfactants, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . An aqueous inkjettable composition as in  claim 16  wherein the humectant is present at from 5% to 90% by weight.  
     
     
         20 . An aqueous inkjettable composition as in  claim 16  wherein said humectant is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethoxylated glycerols, N-methylpyrrolidone, butyrolactone, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, hexylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, 1,3-di methyl-2-imid-azolidinone, dimethylsulfone, tetramethylene sulfone, 2,2′-sulfonyldiethanol, methylsulfoxide, 2,2′-thiodiethanol, and combinations thereof.