Glass has been used for both decorative and functional purposes for much of history; the forms and techniques used have changed with our technological advances.
The ancient Romans and Egyptians created decorative but functional objects such as cups and vases from glass. Cathedrals have used stained glass windows for both light and decoration for more than a millennium. A somewhat more modern innovation is digital ceramic printing directly onto glass – and G.James are pleased to be able to offer this new medium.
What sort of applications I can use printed glass in?
- Balustrading – Yes. Printed glass would be suitable in this application as standard furnaced PVB (Polyvinyl butyral) laminate if edges are protected, printing to surface #2 (the inner/interior surface) or with an SGP (SentryGlas®Plus) interlayer with unprotected edges, printing to surface #2.
- Windows – Yes, with ceramic printing to the inside or in a laminate as above.
- Awnings – Yes. A heat strengthened laminate with PVB and SGP is recommended. Monolithic printed glass is not suitable for this application.
- Splashbacks – Yes, when combined with two-pack paint backing to obscure the wall behind.
- Office Partitions – Yes, as a furnaced laminate only.
- Reception areas/Feature walls – Yes. Care should be taken to co-ordinate the colour of the backing wall with the image and its density – a light image would require a neutral tone wall to stop any showthrough.
- Pool Windows – Yes, as a furnaced laminate printed to surface #2.
- Signage – Suitability of printed glass for this application would depend on the colours required. Laminate would be required for external applications, internal applications could use monolithic glass.
- Building Façades – Yes. Printed glass can be incorporated into an IGU and coated if necessary.
What does the printing process involve?
Digital images are run through a specialist software program that separates the image into colour layers available on the Colourlite Image system. The ink used has special ceramic pigments which give it its colour – these inks are lead and cadmium free. The Glassjet printer is a large flatbed printing set up.