Printing on ceramics and porcelain

Awesome! A self-printed tableware ... for your self-printed tablecloth! It just couldn't be better! Printing on ceramic and porcelain is the same as screen printing as with other materials such as fabric and paper, etc.The difference is that you do not use the frame. At least ... if you are going to print on a large flat tray, a frame is of course super handy!

Silk-screen printing is only possible with our Ready To Print screens because they are flexible

And of course you use the special porcelain paint. But it is also possible with wall paint! Huh? Yes ... check it out on our YouTube channel!

Preparation

It is important that the surface is dust and grease free.
With a marker (a permanent marker from Edding, for example) you draw around the image.
Tip: if you cannot see the image properly, hold it against the window or shine a lamp at an angle, and then outline it. About 1 cm around the image.
It may be helpful to also add a mark to the top so you know the top and bottom of the image (if that matters) so you don't make a mistake printing.
Then cut out the image, outside the lines.
Stick around duct tape and make a mini screen (see also YouTube)
Draw a smiley face on the tape on the dull side, which will always be visible during screen printing

The ink

You don't want the ink to be too thin or else the image will run. You can thicken the ink with a little talcum powder if necessary. Start with a little bit and more and more until it is a fine thickness. We find a fine thickness peanut butter / chocolate spread-like. You can do the mixing on a saucer and with a stirrer and / or with your fingers; it is important that there are no lumps in it.
Do not make it too thick either, because then it cannot pass through the mesh.

The printing

You can tape the film with masking tape or hold it between your thumb and index finger. That of course also depends entirely on the product… are you going to print a cup or a flat plate.
Now spread the ink over the image with your finger or a soft sponge. Do this carefully and calmly and make sure the film does not move as this will cause the image to smudge naturally.
When you are done remove the film (again calmly and carefully because the ink is of course still wet).
If you accidentally shoot something or there are spatters where you don't want them, you can now remove them with a damp cloth.
You can apply even more porcelain paint with a brush, or color it, etc.
Then clean the film as quickly as possible by rinsing it under the tap and allowing it to dry.
After this you can let the object dry.

You can also do this on unfired ceramics. However, we do not sell ink for that. The process works exactly the same. Baking depends on the instructions for use of the ink / glaze etc. used.

Instructions for the Pebeo ink that we sell.

This ink is also water-based. After application (first thoroughly degrease the surface!) And drying (we recommend to let it dry for 48 hours), bake it all in ± 40 minutes in the oven at ± 150 degrees. No microwave! You put the product in a cold oven, so do not preheat. Do not overheat the oven as this could burn the ink. After 45 minutes, let the product cool down in the oven that is turned off. As long as the ink is still warm, it is still sensitive to external influences. You can let it cool in the oven with the oven door ajar. The ink fixes and becomes waterproof. We recommend that you always wash it by hand afterwards and not in the dishwasher.

Store the ink at room temperature, below 30 degrees Celsius.