Serigraphy on Glass

Serigraphy is a method of applying ceramic pigments on tempered safety glass by silk screen printing with subsequent firing in the process of thermal hardening, which ensures a high degree of adhesion.

The principle of silk screen printing consists in forcing of pigment with a squeegee through exposed parts of the screen onto the base. The stability of the coating is ensured by the fact that the process of pigment application is combined with tempering of the glass itself. Ceramic one-component pigments (Ferro, Johnson Matthey, Heraeus) are used. These pigments are used in manufacture of automotive glass, in decoration of architectural (facades) and furniture glass, as well as for special glass products, such as shelves of refrigerators or protective glass in the doors of household gas and electric stoves. After preliminary drying, ceramic pigments are baked into glass surface in the process of thermal tempering or bending of glass (a glass forming method that enables getting of a shiny product surface) at a temperature of 620-660°C for 2-5 minutes. However, temperature and time may vary depending on the pigment type and manufacturer.

Ceramic pigments find their application where strict requirements are in place regarding mechanical resistance, moisture and UV exposure. Only such pigments are suitable for outdoor use, for example, in the manufacture of facades.

Application of serigraphy on glass

Industrial serigraphy is most often used in production of automotive glass, when a protective black strip is applied around the glass perimeter.

Serigraphy on auto glass performs useful functions:

•  allows to hide contents of various parts or built-in elements (such as heating elements in the rest zone of wipers, light sensors, etc.)
•  reduces penetration of UV rays affecting polyurethane adhesive
•  is used for applying a logo or advertising information on the front or rear windshield

Silk screen printing is used in decoration of architectural (facades) and furniture glass, as well as for special glass products, such as shelves of refrigerators or protective glass in the doors of household gas and electric stoves.