Method for printing on ceramic tableware

Claim 1

The method according to claim 1 and the element discrete and portable, performing the silk-screen printing at a first work station, performing the intimate mechanical contact at a second work station, the first and second work stations spaced apart physically from each other.

Claim 15

A method for applying a first and a second oil-based relatively viscous colorant to an item of ceramic tableware and comprising steps of: providing a first element with a first total-release transfer surface, silk-screen printing the first colorant in a relatively thick layer onto the first transfer surface, providing for a time delay of from 1 minute to 3 hours for allowing the first colorant layer to dry partially on the first transfer surface so as to form a tacky skinlike first film with cohesive integrity exceeding its bonding adhesion to the transfer surface, causing intimate mechanical contact between the first film and the item of ceramic tableware and thereafter withdrawing quickly the first transfer surface from the first film whereby the first film is transferred in its entirety intact to the item, providing a second element with a second total-release transfer surface, silk-screen printing the second colorant in a relatively thick layer onto the second transfer surface, providing for a time delay of from 1 minute to 3 hours for allowing the second colorant layer to dry partially on the second transfer surface so as to form a tacky skinlike second film with cohesive integrity exceeding its bonding adhesion to the second transfer surface, causing intimate mechanical contact between the second film and the item of ceramic tableware and thereafter withdrawing quickly the second transfer surface from the second film whereby the second film is transferred in its entirety intact to the item, firing the item at a temperature high enough to fuse the colorants.