Simulated ceramic tile

A panel defining a plurality of decorative simulated ceramic tiles comprising a substrate having a surface coated with an under-coat effective to provide a coloured, printable base;

• a printed ink layer comprisng a layer of coloured ink lines of silicone-containing ink defining a plurality of individual complete designs on said printable base, each of said designs being associated with a defined rectangular area, said layer of ink lines being clearly visible;
• and a colouring pigment-containing top coat of a hard resinous, substantially silicone-free film-forming material, said top coat containing about 1% to about 4% by weight of said pigment;
• said top coat having a variable depth and defining a contour of valleys, hills, and plains, wherein the intensity of colour in the top coat varies with the variation in the contour;
• the valleys having a top coat thickness less 1 mil and occurring over said ink lines such that the colour of the ink is not obscured, and the hills lying adjacent said ink lines;
• said colour in the top coat providing a contrast with the colour in the under-coat and with the colour in the printed pattern, the silicone content of said inked layer being sufficient to repel said top coat to create the ceramic effect without deleteriously affecting the adherence of said top coat.

A panel defining a pluralty of decorative simulated ceramic tiles comprising a substrate having a flat surface coated with an under-coat effective to provide a coloured, printable base;

• a printed ink layer comprising coloured ink lines of a silicone-containing ink;
• said ink lines dividing the base into a plurality of rectangular areas and defining a plurality of individually complete designs on said printable base, each of said designs being associated with one of said rectangular areas, said layer of ink lines being clearly visible;
• and a colouring pigment-containing top coat of a hard resinous, substantially silicone-free film-forming material, said top coat containing about 1% to about 4% by weight of said pigment;
• said top coat having a variable depth and defining a contour of valleys, hills, and plains, wherein the intensity of colour in the top coat varies with the variation in the contour;
• said valleys having a top coat thickness less than 1 mil and occurring over said ink lines such that the colour of the ink is not obscured, and the hills lying adjacent said ink lines;
• said colour in the top coat providing a contrast with the colour in the under-coat and with the colour in the printed pattern, the silicone content of said inked layer being sufficient to repel said top coat to create the ceramic effect without deleteriously affecting the adherence of said top coat.