Abstract: A thermal transfer assembly that comprises a thermal transfer ribbon and a covercoated transfer sheet. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a support and a ceramic ink layer. The ceramic ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 2 to about 15 grams per square meter, and it includes from about 15 to about 94.5 percent of a solid carbonaceous binder, and at least one of a film-forming glass frit, an opacifying agent and a colorant (at a combined level for the film forming glass frit, the opacifying agent and the colorant of at least 0.5 weight percent).

Abstract: A thermal transfer assembly that comprises a thermal transfer ribbon and a covercoated transfer sheet. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a support and a ceramic ink layer. The ceramic ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 2 to about 15 grams per square meter, and it includes from about 15 to about 94.5 percent of a solid carbonaceous binder, and at least one of a film-forming glass frit, an opacifying agent and a colorant (at a combined level for the film forming glass frit, the opacifying agent and the colorant of at least 0.5 weight percent).

Abstract: A ceramic decal assembly containing a ceramic substrate, a layer of adhesive contiguous with the substrate, and a ceramic decal contiguous with the layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A ceramic decal assembly containing a ceramic substrate, a layer of adhesive contiguous with the substrate, and a ceramic decal contiguous with the layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon with a flexible substrate and, disposed above the substrate, a frosting ink layer. The frosting ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 0.25 to about 15 grams per square meter and it contains from about 15 to about 94.5 weight percent of a solid, volatilizable carbonaceous binder, from about 5 to about 75 weight percent of a film-forming glass flux, and at least about 0.1 weight percent of opacifying agent.

Abstract: A ceramic decal assembly containing a ceramic substrate, a layer of adhesive contiguous with the substrate, and a ceramic decal contiguous with the layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A covercoated transfer sheet for transferring images to a ceramic substrate. The covercoated transfer sheet contains a flat, flexible substrate and a transferable covercoat releaseably bound to the flat, flexible substrate. When the transferable covercoat is printed with an image to form an imaged covercoat, the image has a higher adhesion to the covercoat than the covercoat has to the flexible substrate. The imaged covercoat has an elongation to break of at least about 1 percent, and it can be separated from the flexible substrate with a peel force of less than about 30 grams per centimeter.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon with a flexible substrate and, disposed above the substrate, a frosting ink layer. The frosting ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 0.25 to about 15 grams per square meter and it contains from about 15 to about 94.5 weight percent of a solid, volatilizable carbonaceous binder, from about 5 to about 75 weight percent of a film-forming glass flux, and at least about 0.1 weight percent of opacifying agent.

Abstract: A ceramic decal assembly containing a ceramic substrate, a layer of adhesive contiguous with the substrate, and a ceramic decal contiguous with the layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A process for preparing a ceramic decal in which a printed image is applied to a backing sheet, and a covercoating is then applied to the printed substrate. A digitally printed ceramic colorant image is applied to the backing sheet; metal oxide colorant with a refractive index of greater than about 1.6 is used as the colorant. Thereafter, the printed image is covercoated with an overcoat containing frit and binder. The total amount of frit applied in the process divided by the total amount of colorant used is at least 2, and the frit used has a melting temperature of at least 550 degrees Centigrade.

Abstract: A covercoated transfer sheet for transferring images to a ceramic substrate. The covercoated transfer sheet contains a flat, flexible substrate and a transferable covercoat releaseably bound to the flat, flexible substrate. When the transferable covercoat is printed with an image to form an imaged covercoat, the image has a higher adhesion to the covercoat than the covercoat has to the flexible substrate. The imaged covercoat has an elongation to break of at least about 1 percent, and it can be separated from the flexible substrate with a peel force of less than about 30 grams per centimeter.

Abstract: A process for preparing a ceramic decal in which a printed image is applied to a backing sheet, and a covercoating is then applied to the printed substrate. A digitally printed ceramic colorant image is applied to the backing sheet; metal oxide colorant with a refractive index of greater than about 1.6 is used as the colorant. Thereafter, the printed image is covercoated with an overcoat containing frit and binder. The total amount of frit applied in the process divided by the total amount of colorant used is at least 2, and the frit used has a melting temperature of at least 550 degrees Centigrade.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon with a flexible substrate and, disposed above the substrate, a frosting ink layer. The frosting ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 2 to about 15 grams per square meter and it contains from about 15 to about 94.5 weight percent of a solid, volatilizable carbonaceous binder, from about 5 to about 75 weight percent of a film-forming glass flux, and at least about 0.5 weight percent of opacifying agent.

Abstract: A process for preparing a ceramic decal in which a printed image is applied to a backing sheet, and a covercoating is then applied to the printed substrate. A digitally printed ceramic colorant image is applied to the backing sheet; metal oxide colorant with a refractive index of greater than about 1.6 is used as the colorant. Thereafter, the printed image is covercoated with an overcoat containing frit and binder. The total amount of frit applied in the process divided by the total amount of colorant used is at least 2, and the frit used has a melting temperature of at least 550 degrees Centigrade.