Patent ID: 6357868
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B41M,B44C,C03C,C04B

Abstract:
A method of decorating a hard material, comprising applying to a surface of the material to be decorated a decorative layer comprised of a thermoplastic color paste, the thermoplastic color paste comprising at least 30 wt. % of inorganic solids selected from the group consisting of pigments, glass frits and other glass-forming components in a thermoplastic medium having a melting point of at least 30Â° C., the thermoplastic color paste being applied directly to the surface of the material to be decorated or indirectly using a transfer material, the thermoplastic color paste being applied by inkjet printing using a heatable inkjet print head, the temperature of the print head being kept above the melting point of the thermoplastic color paste.