Ceramictoner

Adhesion

A key quality factor in ceramic printing. Toners must bond permanently to the glaze or body during firing to ensure durability.



Application (Transfer)

The process of applying the printed image from transfer paper onto the ceramic surface. After a short water soak, the image is carefully slid onto the object, aligned, and smoothed out.



Body (Ceramic Body)

The ceramic substrate onto which designs are applied. Different bodies affect color, adhesion, and firing behavior.



Burning (Firing)

A thermal process in a kiln that permanently bonds ceramic pigments to the surface. Firing temperatures typically range between 580 °C and 1250 °C.



Calcomania (Water-Slide Decal)

An image printed on special paper that detaches in water and is transferred to ceramic surfaces. During firing, the design fuses into the glaze or ceramic.



Ceramic Toner

A powdered colorant developed by MZ Toner Technologies for use in laser printers. Contains high-purity ceramic pigments that are fired onto ceramic, glass, or enamel. UV-stable, scratch-resistant, and solvent-proof.



Color Management / ICC Profile

System to ensure color consistency from screen to print to final fired result. ICC profiles align printer output with expected ceramic color behavior.



Coverage (Yield)

Refers to the amount of printed area achieved per quantity of toner used. Important for cost calculation.



Crater Test (Cycle Test)

A durability test where decorated ceramics are exposed to varying cycles of temperature and humidity to test long-term resilience.



Curve (Firing Curve)

A time-temperature profile followed during firing. Essential to achieve proper pigment fusion, glaze behavior, and stable color results.



Decoration

Surface refinement of ceramic objects using colors, patterns, or imagery. In digital printing, implemented with ceramic toner.



Developer

A carrier material in the laser printer that evenly distributes ceramic toner onto transfer paper. Only the toner is transferred; the carrier remains in the printer.



Direct Print Paper

A specially coated paper developed by MZ Toner Technologies that allows for direct printing and immediate transfer, without additional lacquer steps.



Engobe

A clay-based coating between the ceramic body and glaze. Can also be decorated with ceramic toner for special effects.



Firing Range

The appropriate temperature range for firing:

– Glass: 580–640 °C

– Overglaze: 700–840 °C

– In-glaze: 920–1250 °C



Flux

A ceramic additive that melts slightly during firing, enhancing bonding between pigment and surface for a brilliant result.



Glaze

A glassy coating that seals the ceramic surface after firing. Must be compatible with the toner for perfect results.



Humidity Control

Stable temperature and humidity (recommended: 20–24 °C, 40–60% humidity) are essential for flawless toner behavior, transfer quality, and print consistency.



In-glaze / In-glaze Firing

A technique where decoration is embedded into the glaze by firing at high temperatures (920–1250 °C). Extremely durable – ideal for tiles in bathrooms, kitchens, or outdoor use.



Jetting

The process of applying ink or toner through inkjet technology. In ceramics, this refers to adapted systems for highly viscous ceramic media.



Kiln Temperature

Critical for quality output: too low = poor adhesion; too high = possible pigment distortion or damage.



Laminated Paper

A transfer paper with a thin specialty coating applied by lamination. It protects the image and ensures clean separation in water.



Lightfastness

Resistance of colors to UV light. Ceramic pigments are highly lightfast due to firing – often achieving top scores on the Blue Wool Scale.



Machine Integration

The coordination of toner, software, and printer hardware into one efficient ceramic printing system.



MC Multi Color Professional

A high-performance color system offering vivid tones for creative projects, art, and colorful series – developed by MZ Toner Technologies.



Correction (Retouching)

Minor post-firing corrections, such as overprinting or retouching. Limited feasibility in ceramic workflows.



Overglaze Decoration

Application of ceramic toner on a glazed, fired surface – ideal for achieving brilliant results.



Overglaze Firing

Re-firing a decorated, already glazed ceramic piece at 700–920 °C to permanently fuse the design.



Pigment

The coloring agent in ceramic toner. Must be extremely heat-resistant to withstand the firing process.



Quality Control

Covers all measures to ensure toner performance, print quality, calibration, and firing outcomes. Essential to ceramic digital printing.



Rasterization

A printing technique that creates tonal variations via dot patterns – used in ceramic printing for gradients and image effects.



Screen Printing Lacquer

A transparent lacquer applied via screen printing to stabilize and protect the image for clean transfer.



SRA3

A large-format print size (320 × 450 mm), ideal for bigger designs and compatible with extended-format printers.



Toner

Fine ceramic powder mixture developed for digital printing. Must perform reliably in printing and firing.



Toner Set

A complete toner package – typically Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black – tailored for specific temperatures, materials, and uses like porcelain, glass, or tiles.



Transfer Lacquer

A thin transparent film that stabilizes the printed image for transfer. Burns off cleanly, leaving only the decoration.



Transfer Paper

A special paper that carries the ceramic toner image. Available in ready-to-use coated versions or those requiring additional coating.



Under-glaze Decoration

A method where the toner is applied between the ceramic body and the glaze. Protected by the glaze – ideal for durable designs.



UV Stability

Describes a decoration’s resistance to UV light. Firing embeds pigments in the glaze, resulting in lasting color brilliance.



Viscosity

Flow characteristic of toner, important for printhead compatibility. Too thick = clogging, too thin = poor adhesion.



Water Resistance

Ceramic toners must resist water after printing to avoid smudging or discoloration. MZ Toners are optimized for this.



Wool Scale

Measures lightfastness from 1 (low) to 8 (excellent). MZ Toners achieve level 8 – ideal for outdoor exposure.



Xenon Test

A method for testing color fastness under intense light exposure. Rarely needed for ceramic toners due to their high stability.



Yield

Indicates the printable area per toner volume. Crucial for calculating production efficiency.



Z-Cycle Test (Cycle Test)

A stress test that exposes printed ceramic items to varying temperature and humidity cycles to assess long-term durability.

We create customized sets consisting of a printer, ceramic toner, developer, transfer paper, and accessories – precisely tailored to your application. Alternatively, we supply individual products to our MZ Toner Community. We offer machines upon request – especially for beginners who value personalized advice and optimal results.

We ship internationally – from Germany, within the EU, and worldwide. You are welcome to pick up your order, especially complete printer systems, in person at our headquarters. Please note that we only accept prepayment and on-site payment at our headquarters. We offer a 12-month warranty on new devices and a 6-month warranty on carefully tested refurbished devices.

Take advantage of the opportunity for personal instruction: We will provide you with individual on-site training in the use of the system and materials – and make you an expert in your ceramic application area.

Upon request, we offer ceramic screen or digital printing for commercial customers. We assist with planning, consulting, and the implementation of small series and unique pieces.

Do you have specific requirements? With Newkom Ceramics, we realize special projects and customized solutions—please contact us.

With our many years of expertise in custom color development, we manufacture special ceramic colors according to your requirements – whether gold, metallic, or effect colors , induction foils , or applications in the ceramics and electronics sectors. Feel free to contact us – we'll work with you to develop your customized solution.