Extending the potential for the digitally printed ceramic surface

‘Can new qualities, scales and economies of production be achieved through the application of digital laser printed ceramic transfers to a commercial context?’ The digital laser printed transfer system offers the potential of enhancing qualities, speeds and economies for commercial production, yet to date it has not been adopted by large-scale UK ceramic manufacturers. This paper will discuss the findings of the first stage of a 2-year research project that aims to explore the possibilities of applying laser printed transfer systems within a commercial context and larger scales of production. Digital prints are ubiquitous. Over the last 30 years digital technology has democratised our relationship with the printed image. The decoration of flat ceramic tiles has been revolutionised by the adoption of directly printed digital inkjet technology. But due to their complex topography, ceramic objects such as tableware, figurines and other ornament forms are still predominantly decorated using an indirect system known as ceramic transfer printing. The ceramic transfers are made using the multi-stage and resource-hungry process of screenprinting. Laser printing technology has been developed to produce ceramic transfers, but this is currently a marginal activity. The process remains limited to single print or very small batch production jobs, with the market model being a bureau-based service for commissioned work. The AHRC funded project ‘Extending the Potential for the Digitally Printed Ceramic Surface’ aims to address this issue by bringing together partners of the innovator (and patent holder) of the laser printed ceramic transfer technology, Digital Ceramic Systems and Royal Crown Derby, a major UK ceramic manufacturer. Liaison between the two and associated strategic creative development is being undertaken by an academic research team on the Ceramics and Glass programme at the Royal College of Art