Ceramics: industrial decoration systems

VERSION EN ESPAÑOL


As we have said in previous entries of decorational, we will try to have a deeper approach to the materials we write about, showing not only their decoration possibilities, but also other characteristics that help you to make an appropiate selection when choosing a material to be used in your project.

That's why we will write numerous entries with technical information about materials, trying to know them better.

In our last entry we introduced a ceramic material with inkjet surface decoration, and that's why we think it's interesting to explain the different methods used in ceramics industry to decore tiles, that let de producers the development of new models and ceramic solutions:

Curtain application
Ceramic glaze falls from the top of a metalic bell to form a continious curtain, and the tiles pass through it show ther are fully covered by a layer of glaze which thickness depends on the speed of the tiles in the production line. This method is used to obtain tiles with solid colors.

Serigraphy

This system has been used for ceramic decoration since about 1960. It consists of a framework that fixes a perforated fabric (silk-screen display) for color to pass through these holes.

The ceramic glaze is extended on the screen by a mechanical element, so it passes through the holes leaving the  color over the tile only where the holes are. Different colors can be applicated using successive screens with different decorations. All tiles produced by this system have the same decor.

Rotogravure

This decoration system uses a roller in whose surface has been made small holes that define the pattern to be transferred to the tile. These holes are created by lasers, which are small and allow for greater definition than serigraphy.

The pigment is deposited on top of the roll and extended through a dispenser that fills all the holes and clean the surface. When the roll comes into contact with the tile, the pigment passes from the holes to the surface of the piece, forming the desired decoration.

Tiles obtained by this method may have different decorations depending on the roller size -usually 1.30 m2- and the position of contact contact between the roller and each tile.

 

Inkjet printing

The development of new printing systems and ceramic glazes has let ceramic producers to include in their production chains electronic decoration machines which can print photografic pictures on the ceramic tiles, as it is done on other different materials.

As in a domestic inkjet printer, microscopic drops of different colors are sprayed to the tile's surface, conforming the final picture. Pigments used are similar to traditional ceramic glazes, so the ceramic tiles obtained whith this decoration technology keep all their technical characteristics without change, so they can be used in domestic or commercial areas, even as a floor, without trouble.

A solution that uses this technology is emotile by Ceracasa, which we have written about in the previous entry of decorational (link: Custimozed ceramics: emotile by Ceracasa).

We hope this information, as that we can write in the future, will help you to understand how materials are made, so you can make a better selection of them for your projects.

We will be waiting for you in the next entry of decorational.

Pictures used in this entry have been obtained from "La Guía de la Baldosa Cerámica"

Cusmotized ceramics: emotile by Ceracasa

VERSIÓN ESPAÑOLA


In decorational we introduce today one of the most versatile solutions for the decoration with coverings, because its a ceramic material that can be used in walls or floors, for commercial or residential use, and can be fully customized with an image given by customer. We are talking about emotile by Ceracasa.

Ceracasa is a spanish firm that has been leading the innovation in ceramic sector for several years, and promoting the development of new uses and applications of ceramics. One of their solutions, obtained making use of the new technology of digital decoration in the ceramics production than many ceramics producers are now using to make ceramics very similar to other materials (wood, stone...). Ceracasa uses this technology, not only in the decoration of standard tiles, but also as a tool of everyone that want to create customized areas with a durable material.

Other materials can be customized with image but don't have good thechnical characteristics. Emotile by Ceracasa is a porcelain tile than can be fully customized in its suface with the desired image, while it mantains all tha characteristics of porcelain tile: it can be used outdoors, or in heavy traffic areas without problem.


In decorational we think that emotile by Ceracasa is a very useful tool for everyone interested in the creation of singular areas, without being afraid of the appearance of future problems because of use or manteinance.


Here we include a several images so you can imagine all the posibilities of emotile by Ceracasa:

Wall - Residential building entrance

Floor - Architecture studio

Floor - Porcelanic tile representing Hidraulic tile

Floor - Game in public sqare, by the sea

Floor - Bar at Pamplona (Spain)

High gloss wall covering - Waves created usig a graphic design software

Come on! Use your imagination to decorate any place with emotile by Ceracasa.

More information:

www.emotilebyceracasa.com

www.ceracasa.com

Traditional materials

VERSION ESPAÑOLA

As we said in the first entry of decorational, our intention is to speak on the blog mostly about decoration with floors and walls, deepening their characteristics in order to select the appropriate material in every situation, and seeking those who respect the environment.

Although we could find numerous materials and solutions matching these criteria, many of the entries in decorational will refer to various materials that people have used always in the construction and decoration of their homes:

Both wood and stone are available directly from nature, and ceramics is achieved essentially of clay. And despite that throughout industrial history there have been enormous technological advances, some of which have been applied in the collection, handling and production of these materials, they are still commonly used in construction and decoration mantaining their initial uses.

And because these materials have been "always here", and we can find on the market many alternatives that in most cases even look alike, we do not stop to consider whether the product we are choosing to decorate our home, office, local ... is suitable for our needs. 

From decorational we will show new products, but also will include clear information that will help you to make the right decision according to your needs.

We will wait for you in our next entry, in which we will begin to talk about specific products that we have found interesting. 

Welcome to decorational

VERSION ESPAÑOLA


Today we start decorational, a blog that pretends to inform and recommend about different existing materials used for decoration as floorings and coverings.

The name decorational contains 3 words, referring to the point of view we will give to the information included in this blog:

• decoration - we will write about materials and solutions used in decoration. That means they are important in the final decoration of the place they are used, so we will talk about colours, different combinations, trends...
• rational - decoration is a very subjective thing but we think that, when choosing a material, it's very important to consider not only its appearance. Its technical characteristics must make it the ideal option for the desired use, in order to avoid an unnecessary spending in a wrong selected material. So we will write about the characteristics of the material, its costs of manteinance...
• eco - we will look for environmental friendly materials, in their production proccess and/or after installation.

With these premises, we expect that the information included in decorational will be useful to you, our reader, in order to know and select the right material or solution for your project.

We hope you like it. Let's start decorational!