SGIA Journal September/October 2013 - (Page 41)

feature Digital Ceramic Printing Continues to Cast a New Business Model for Output Providers Over the past decade, inkjet and other digital technologies have been revolutionizing production processes in many printing segments. One traditional ma rket ma k ing a quick a nd ea sy transition to digital printing methods is the area of ceramic tile decoration. Inkjet technology has made a huge impact on what manufacturers can create, and the mass acceptance of these designs from the world markets has promoted the swift transformation from screen and roller printing to utilizing inkjet technology in the production of tile and other ceramic products. Digital ceramic printing technology has now become accepted as a viable alternative to screen, allowing users to output jobs on-demand, eliminating the costly need of huge stock print runs. Today, ceramic toners and printers can produce high-resolution photo-quality transfers, with smooth halftones and vibrant ceramic colors. of respondents utilize digital printing and also consider ceramic tile printing to be a strong market opportunity. Some industry analysts have also been projecting rapid growth in ceramic tile inkjet printing, as noted by Dr. Ray Work, Work Associates, Inc. “The tile industry is moving toward inkjet,” reported Dr. Work. “The financial incentives are so great that the entire industry is converting rapidly to inkjet.” The use of inkjet printing for ceramic tile manufacturing is growing in Europe, China and India, and is outselling conventional analog systems. Inkjet inks for ceramic printing tend to cost more than conventional inks but the cost is outweighed by the savings in print rollers, the time saved in setting up analog systems and reduced inventory levels. “The versatility of digital printing technology has effectively redefined the role of tile from a functional wall cover or flooring to more of a projection screen,” agreed Christopher Howard, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Growing in Numbers Durst Image Technology US. “Tiles are SGIA’s 2011 Industrial Printing Survey now almost as much a presentation and Report indicated that more than 75 percent marketing medium as they are interior Inkjet technology has made a huge impact on what manufacturers can create, and the mass acceptance of these designs from the world markets has promoted the swift transformation from screen and roller printing to utilizing inkjet technology. Bill Schiffner, Freelance Writer Visit SGIA at SGIA.org SGIA Journal ■ September/October 2013 | 41 http://www.SGIA.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SGIA Journal September/October 2013

How to Sell in a Tough Economy
How One Fine-Art Photographer Created a Four-Story-Tall Print
December 1, 2013 Training Deadline Approaches
Affordable Care Act — What is New and What is Happening
Reducing Inkjet Ink Usage
Want Your Graphics to Look Great and Last? Start with Surface Preparation and Cleaning
2013 Market Trends & Product Specialties Report
Digital Ceramic Printing Continues to Cast a New Business Model for Output Providers
How to Hire and Retain a Sales Champion
Going Grand: Does It Make Sense for Your Business?
Flames Made Easy with Knifeless Tape
The Edge is Near: Innovations in Fabric Finishing
SGIA Expo Sponsors Lead the Industry Charge to Orlando
The Innovation of an Art Form: A History of Screen Printing
In Many Specialty Graphics Shops, Old and New Technologies Sit Side by Side
SGIA Helps Making Shipping Easier with YRC
New Products
Specialty Imaging Shines at the 2013 SGIA Expo

SGIA Journal September/October 2013