Surface marked articles, related methods and systems

Abstract

A method of surface marking an article, especially a building product, is provided. One described method includes the steps of laser marking a first graphic design element on a surface of an article and ink-jet printing a second graphic design element in registry with the first graphic design element on the surface of the article to create a high quality overall graphic design. Also provided are articles made according to this method, and systems for carrying out the method.

1 . A method of surface marking an article, comprising:
 laser marking a first graphic design element on the surface of an article; and   ink-jet printing a second graphic design element in predetermined orientation with the first graphic design element on the surface of the article.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a graphic design;   generating a laser graphic template comprising one or more features of the graphic design to be laser marked on the article;   generating a first graphic design element based at least in part on the laser graphic template;   generating an ink-jet graphic template comprising one or more features of the graphic design to be ink-jet printed on the article; and   generating a second graphic design element based at least in part on the ink-jet graphic template.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first graphic design element and the second design element are matched for visual impression and tactile impression. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first graphic design element comprises a channel, an ornate design, or a wood simulation. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second graphic design element comprises a pattern. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the laser marking precedes the ink jet printing. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ink-jet printing precedes the laser marking. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the laser marking and the ink jet printing occur substantially simultaneously. 
   
   
       9 . A method of surface marking an article, comprising:
 receiving a graphic design;   generating a laser graphic template comprising one or more features of the graphic design to be laser marked on the article;   generating a first graphic design element based at least in part on the laser graphic template;   generating an ink-jet graphic template comprising one or more features of the graphic design to be ink-jet printed on the article; and   generating a second graphic design element based at least in part on the ink-jet graphic template   laser marking the first graphic design element on a portion of the surface of the article; and   ink-jet printing the second graphic design element in predetermined orientation with the first graphic design element on the portion of the surface of the article.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , including the step of translating the ink-jet printer on a plane that is not equidistant the surface of the article and the laser marked features. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , including the step of ink-jet printing with UV curable ink. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , including the step of laser marking a portion of the article and ink-jet printing a portion of the article, at least some portion of the ink-jet printing overlapping at least a portion of the laser marking. 
   
   
       13 . A system for surface marking an article, comprising
 a laser marking apparatus configured to print a first graphic design element on the surface of the article and an ink-jet printing apparatus configured to print a second graphic design element on the surface of the article in predetermined association with the first graphic design element.   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first graphic design element and the second design element are matched for visual impression and tactile impression. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first graphic design element comprises a channel, an ornate design, or a wood simulation. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second graphic design element comprises a pattern. 
   
   
       17 . An article comprising:
 a first graphic design element laser marked on a surface of an article; and   a second graphic design element ink-jet printed in predetermined orientation relative to the first graphic design element on the article surface.   
   
   
       18 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the first graphic design element and the second design element are matched for visual impression and tactile impression. 
   
   
       19 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the first graphic design element comprises a channel, an ornate design, or a wood simulation. 
   
   
       20 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the second graphic design element comprises a pattern.