Skip to content

Mar 19, 2018

Inkjet Printing on Ceramics

colorful ceramic mugs

Ceramics, much like glass and steel, are hard materials, unlike paper or other porous substrates. Hard surfaces all need a different approach for printing that lasts. To help solve this issue, thought needs to be put into the type of ink that’s used.

Inkjet technology offers two different options when printing on ceramics.

Ceramic tiles

Option 1: Using primer on ceramics

One option is to use a primer coat before printing a single- or four-color image on a ceramic substrate. Primer provides a solid foundation for the coat of paint, or, in the case of printing, the ink

Explore the inks available for PIJ, TIJ, CIJ printing systems

Inks

Choosing primer may be best when the inkjet printer is tasked with producing a variety of different products. In one day, the printer could be printing on boxes, labels, plastic cups or ceramic mugs. The primer solution makes sense because the same ink formulation could be used for any of these products. In terms of speed, it makes sense to keep the printer running, rather than stopping it to switch to a different ink formulation. Using primer to print on ceramics is certainly a cost-effective and time-saving option for businesses focused on saving time and money.

Option 2: Using UV ink on ceramics

There is an alternative ink that doesn’t need a primer base. UV-curable ink doesn’t require the need for a primer base when printing on ceramics. UV-curable ink hardens when exposed to a mercury arc lamp during the curing process. The light waves from the mercury arc lamp excite the ink molecules, making the ink bind to the smooth, hard surface of ceramic substrates, like tiles or mugs. This creates durable, high image quality.

See Our UV Curable Inks
Get Started

The unique chemical formula of the ink reacts to the broad spectrum of the mercury lamp. This causes the ink to develop a solid film coating, allowing it to dry instantly. Another advantage of using UV-curable ink is that there are no volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted. This makes UV-curable ink a safe and friendly option for the environment.

 

So which ink option is best for printing on ceramics?

When it comes to determining which ink you should use to print on ceramics, you really need to base it off of what your needs are. In most scenarios, UV-curable ink will generally be the better choice.

Using primer would be helpful if you’re printing on multiple substrates at once and are concerned about print speed, but for better durability, image quality, instant drying, and sustainability, UV-curable ink is the superior option.

Kao Collins Inc.

Need Help Finding the Right Ink?

Contact Our Experts
Vending machines with on the go foods

Single-Serve Options Shape the Future of Flexible Food Packaging and Inkjet Ink

Learn More about Single-Serve Options Shape the Future of Flexible Food Packaging and Inkjet Ink
A stylized illustration of a person looking through binoculars filled with binary code, representing digital surveillance or data observation.

AI and Privacy Compliance are Reshaping Direct Mail and Digital Printing

Learn More about AI and Privacy Compliance are Reshaping Direct Mail and Digital Printing
cost quality words with ink droplet

Low-Cost Inkjet Inks for Industrial and Commercial Printing Can Cost You More

Learn More about Low-Cost Inkjet Inks for Industrial and Commercial Printing Can Cost You More
printing expiration date on plastic jug with tij nexxo ink for funai from kao collins

Thermal Inkjet: The Ultimate Tool for Industrial Printing

Learn More about Thermal Inkjet: The Ultimate Tool for Industrial Printing
Flexographic printing producing labels

Comparing Flexographic vs. Digital Printing Systems

Learn More about Comparing Flexographic vs. Digital Printing Systems
Back of packaged food products

Inkjet Printing Supports Thriving Private Label Food Industry

Learn More about Inkjet Printing Supports Thriving Private Label Food Industry

Get top insight and news
from our ink experts.

Subscribe to our mailing list

Need Help Finding the
Right Ink?

Contact Our Experts