Full Version: Ceramic tile murals
From: laserbo (DMBOREL) [#1]
22 Jan 2007
To: ALL
Can anyone tell me what OEM Laser Transfers are? I saw a tile Mural that was done with OEM Laser Tranfer, and it was done in color. Is this done with a regular CO2 laser? Anyones help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Mark
EDITED: 22 Jan 2007 by DGL
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#2]
22 Jan 2007
To: laserbo (DMBOREL) [#1] 22 Jan 2007
Mark,
OEM is Original Equipment Manufaturer. What it means is that you can use the inks that come with the printer instead of specialty inks such as those used in sublmation.
To use OEM inks however you do need a different transfer paper which is available from several different sources. I get mine from Mick Emminger at Cactus Coatings.
The paper facilitates the release of the OEM inks onto the substrate. For tile this means you can jog on down to your local tile store and purchase tile there for less than you would if you used sublimatable tiles. The BIG difference is that OEM transfers sit on top of the tile, while sublimated transfers penetrate a coating that is baked onto the tile. The difference while subtle is discernable.
I hope this helps. Wooo Hoooo That twice in one day I got to be first. ( insert laugh here)
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3]
22 Jan 2007
To: laserbo (DMBOREL) [#1] 22 Jan 2007
There is a method of using a CO2 laser to produce durable, full-color images on ceramic tile. It's patented process, called Atomic Art.
The people behind the process, which includes Thermark, will be exhibiting at the ARA show in Las Vegas.
Chuck comprehensively answered the OEM laser transfer part of your question.
Gotta love the Chuckster! :-)
From: UncleSteve [#4]
22 Jan 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3] 22 Jan 2007
With one minor correction.... the laser transfers us toner, not ink. (angel)
You don't have the clogged nozzles and tubing and related problems that have and will continue to be the bane of the inkjet crowd.
From: laserbo (DMBOREL) [#5]
22 Jan 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3] 22 Jan 2007
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6]
22 Jan 2007
To: laserbo (DMBOREL) [#5] 23 Jan 2007
I (amongst others) was one of the first naysayers, but Atomic Art does indeed produce 4-color images on tile.
I had to graciously eat crow (and my words) at the last ARA Las Vegas show:
http://www.engravingetc.org/forum/index.php?webtag=EE&msg=3091.1
EDITED: 22 Jan 2007 by DGL
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#7]
22 Jan 2007
To: laserbo (DMBOREL) [#1] 23 Jan 2007
The techniques are spelled out in the PDF file at the end of this post.
http://www.engravingetc.org/forum/index.php?webtag=EE&msg=2366.1
Check with Mick as to what printers are the best. I have a Konica/Minolta that does a wonderful job, but...
It almost will not transfer to glass or shiny metals. Mick says the toners in another printer do far better than the Konica/Minolta for sticking on those shiny hard surface items.