Abstract: A decorative simulated ceramic tile comprises a substrate having a surface coated with an under-coat effective to provide a colored, printable base; an inked layer comprising a layer of colored ink lines of a silicone-containing drying ink forming a printed pattern on said printable base, said printed pattern being clearly visible; and a coloring pigment-containing top coat of a hard resinous, film-forming material; said top coat having a variable height thickness defining a contour of valleys, hills and plains, wherein the intensity of color in the top coat varies with the variation in the contour, the said valleys occurring over said ink lines such that the color of the ink is not obscured, and the hills lying adjacent said ink lines, said color in the top coat providing a contrast with the color in the under-coat and with the color in the printed pattern.

Abstract: A decorative simulated ceramic tile comprises a substrate having a surface coated with an under-coat effective to provide a colored, printable base; an inked layer comprising a layer of colored ink lines of a silicone-containing drying ink forming a printed pattern on said printable base, said printed pattern being clearly visible; and a coloring pigment-containing top coat of a hard resinous, film-forming material; said top coat having a variable height thickness defining a contour of valleys, hills and plains, wherein the intensity of color in the top coat varies with the variation in the contour, the said valleys occurring over said ink lines such that the color of the ink is not obscured, and the hills lying adjacent said ink lines, said color in the top coat providing a contrast with the color in the under-coat and with the color in the printed pattern.

Abstract: Decorative articles having a three-dimensional patterned surface are formed employing the different surface tension properties of a wet ink printed pattern and a liquid top coat composition; the difference in surface tension is such that the liquid top coat composition retracts from the wet ink pattern; subsequently the ink is dried and the top coat is dried and cured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing of wet resin-coated articles in a curing chamber by means of a vaporous curing agent. The vaporous curing agent is circulated through distribution members having nozzles or openings which are adapted to disperse the curing agent in an angular direction cocurrent with the direction of travel of the articles being passed through the curing chamber. The exhaust is provided near the exit end, and thus a gaseous flow is induced from the inlet through the chamber to the exhaust thereby minimizing the escape of vaporous curing agent through the inlet opening.

Abstract: Decorative articles having a three-dimensional patterned surface are formed employing the different surface tension properties of a wet ink printed pattern and a liquid top coat composition; the difference in surface tension is such that the liquid top coat composition retracts from the wet ink pattern; subsequently the ink is dried and the top coat is dried and cured.

Abstract: A decorative simulated ceramic tile is produced in a method which comprises applying to a flat surface of a non-metallic, porous substrate, an under-coat effective to seal the surface and provide a colored, printable base; printing on the printable base a pattern composed of ink lines of a colored drying ink containing 0.75 to 5% by weight of an organic silicone oil, and allowing the ink to dry; applying to the printable base, a coloring pigment-containing liquid top coat containing from 0.75% to 2.