Method and system for printing electrostatically or electrographically generated images to contoured surfaces of ceramic and glass items such as dishware

A method of printing an electrographically generated image to a contoured surface of a ceramic or glass workpiece, the method comprising:

• preparing a layered ink composite according to the steps of:
• depositing a first layer of thermoplastic ink onto a silicone substrate, the first layer of thermoplastic ink being prepared from a formulation comprising a vitreous inorganic flux, one of either an amorphous polymer and a copolymer with an amorphous region, a plasticizer compatible with one of either the amorphous polymer and the copolymer with an amorphous region, and an amorphous tackifying resin;
• depositing ceramic toner onto the first layer of thermoplastic ink, the deposited ceramic toner configured as an electrographically generated image;
• and,
• depositing a second layer of thermoplastic ink onto the ceramic toner, the second layer of thermoplastic ink being prepared from a formulation comprising, one of either an amorphous polymer and a copolymer with an amorphous region, a plasticizer compatible with one of either the amorphous polymer and the copolymer with an amorphous region, and an amorphous tackifying resin;
• and,
• transferring at or near ambient temperature the image from the layered ink composite to a contoured surface of a workpiece by moving one of either the second layer of thermoplastic ink and the contoured surface of the workpiece into contact with the other of the second layer of thermoplastic ink and the contoured surface of the workpiece.

A glass or ceramic dishware item having a contoured surface with an image disposed thereon, the image having been transferred from a layered ink composite created by:

• depositing a first layer of thermoplastic ink onto a silicone substrate;
• depositing ceramic toner onto the first layer of thermoplastic ink, the deposited ceramic toner configured as an electrographically generated image;
• depositing a second layer of thermoplastic ink onto the ceramic toner;
• transferring at or near ambient temperature the image from the layered ink composite to the contoured surface of the dishware item by moving one of either the second layer of thermoplastic ink and the contoured surface of the dishware item into contact with the other of the second layer of thermoplastic ink and the contoured surface of the dishware item;
• and,
• firing the dishware item at a temperature of 300° to 750° C.