Decorative tile samples
Produce representative color and design samples on qualified tiles before approving a larger decorative program.
Review the AJ2130G/R
Tile Surface Preparation Comes First
Glazed, unglazed, coated ceramic and porcelain tiles can respond differently to UV ink. Before production, identify the tile surface, remove dust, oil and other contamination, and test whether a compatible primer or pretreatment is required.
A representative sample should be checked for adhesion, color, white ink opacity and the durability needed for its intended environment. Final settings should be confirmed using the actual tile and artwork.
Ceramic tile production overview
Qualify the Tile Before You Choose the Printer
Direct UV printing can decorate compatible ceramic and porcelain tiles for samples, personalized pieces and short production runs. The correct workflow depends on the actual tile construction, print face, surface condition, ink layers, handling method and end-use test.
Personalized ceramic pieces
Create short runs of commemorative, photographic or branded tile graphics after surface and durability approval.
Request tile testingInterior signs and feature panels
Plan color, white backing and panel layouts for qualified tiles used in interior signs, displays or decorative assemblies.
Review the AJ3220G/RRepeat tile collections
Organize coordinated designs around safe nesting, loading, registration, inspection and repeatable material preparation.
Review the AJ3220EXIdentify the exact tile
Record whether it is ceramic or porcelain, glazed, unglazed or coated, plus supplier, batch, dimensions, thickness and weight.
Control the print face
Remove dust, oil, cleaner residue and protective-film adhesive, then evaluate only an approved primer or pretreatment when needed.
Check loading and clearance
Confirm flatness, thickness variation, edge condition, safe gaps, printable area and whether a positioning fixture is required.
Approve the finished sample
Evaluate color, white opacity, adhesion, scratching, cleaning and the exposure conditions relevant to the final installation.
Three wide-format production routes
Match Tile Layout and Output to the Right Platform
Start with tile dimensions, pieces per bed and the approved ink-layer sequence. Then compare the 2.1 × 3.0 m and 3.2 × 2.0 m platforms using a timed workflow that includes cleaning, loading, printing, unloading and inspection.
Configurable 2.1 × 3.0 m platform
AJ2130G/R
- Maximum print area
- 2100 × 3000 mm
- Published headline speed
- Up to 31 m²/h
- Useful when
- Mixed tile formats and configuration flexibility matter more than maximum throughput.
Flexible 3.2 × 2.0 m platform
AJ3220G/R
- Maximum print area
- 3200 × 2000 mm
- Published 4-color production
- 35.88 m²/h
- Useful when
- Large-bed nesting, expandable configuration and varied tile programs are priorities.
High-output 3.2 × 2.0 m platform
AJ3220EX
- Published head configuration
- 16 Ricoh Gen5 heads
- Published draft mode
- Up to 154.3 m²/h
- Useful when
- Repeat programs can keep tile preparation, loading and inspection continuously supplied.
Published maximum figures are not a production guarantee. Actual output changes with tile layout, artwork coverage, resolution, pass count, color direction, white or varnish layers, surface preparation, loading, unloading, inspection and operator workflow.
Information for a useful recommendation
Send the Details That Determine Tile Compatibility
A tile size and target quantity are not enough. These four groups of information let AndresJet review physical loading, surface behavior, ink layers and realistic output before recommending a printer configuration or sample test.
- 1
Tile dimensions and geometry
Length, width, thickness, weight, flatness, edge profile, printable area, pieces per bed and acceptable gaps between pieces.
- 2
Construction and print surface
Ceramic or porcelain; glazed, unglazed or coated; surface color, texture, supplier, batch, protective film and approved cleaning limits.
- 3
Artwork and ink layers
Coverage, color reference, design alignment, viewing distance, dark or light background, white underbase, varnish and any raised-effect target.
- 4
End use and acceptance test
Interior or exterior location, wall or high-wear use, moisture, cleaners, abrasion, adhesion standard, quantity per design and finished pieces per shift.
Ceramic Tile UV Printing FAQ
Can every ceramic or porcelain tile be printed directly with UV ink?
No. Glaze chemistry, factory coatings, surface texture, contamination, porosity and prior treatments can change adhesion and appearance. Test the intended production tile after the planned preparation process and approve it against the actual end-use requirement.
Do glazed ceramic tiles always need primer?
Not every tile and ink combination needs the same treatment. Begin with controlled cleaning and the ink supplier's guidance. If adhesion is insufficient, evaluate a compatible primer or pretreatment and document its application amount, drying time and test result before production.
When is white ink useful on a ceramic tile?
White ink can support color on dark, patterned or strongly tinted tiles, create selective white graphics or provide a more opaque base. It adds passes, ink and registration requirements, so approve white opacity and color appearance on the actual tile and artwork.
How should finished ceramic-tile output be estimated?
Calculate how many tiles fit safely on the bed, then include cleaning, any pretreatment and drying, alignment, every color-white-varnish layer, unloading and inspection. A timed pilot batch using the approved mode is more useful than applying a headline square-meter speed to the order.
Can a UV-printed tile be used on floors, outdoors or in wet areas?
Do not assume suitability from print appearance alone. It depends on the tile, ink, preparation, layer construction, abrasion, water, chemicals, temperature, UV exposure and required service life. Test the complete system under representative conditions and evaluate a compatible protective coating when the specification requires additional protection.
Open the Ceramic Tile Printing Guide Hide the Ceramic Tile Printing Guide
From tile sample to repeat production
Building a Controlled Ceramic Tile Printing Workflow
Commercial tile printing combines material identification, controlled preparation, safe positioning, an approved ink-layer sequence and realistic durability testing. Use this guide to define the process before comparing finished output per shift.
Choose the decoration process around the order
Direct UV printing
Useful for samples, personalization and short-to-medium runs with gradients, variable artwork and planned color-white-varnish layers on qualified tiles.
Screen or ceramic processes
Can suit established long-run decoration and firing workflows, but screens, color separation and setup make frequent artwork changes less flexible.
Decal, film or transfer methods
May suit specific products or finishing systems, but add material, application, alignment, edge-finish and compatibility considerations.
A six-step ceramic tile qualification process
- 1
Identify the tile. Record construction, surface, coating, supplier, batch, dimensions, thickness, flatness, weight and intended print face.
- 2
Standardize preparation. Remove contamination using a method compatible with the tile and evaluate only a validated primer or treatment.
- 3
Verify loading. Confirm bed clearance, safe gaps, edge condition, print area, orientation and whether a fixture improves repeatability.
- 4
Build the ink layers. Prepare color, white underbase, selective white and varnish according to the tile color and required appearance.
- 5
Condition and test a sample. Evaluate color, opacity, adhesion, scratching, cleaning and the relevant moisture, chemical or exposure requirement.
- 6
Time a pilot batch. Include preparation, loading, alignment, printing, unloading, inspection, cleaning and changeovers.
Glazed or coated tiles
- Smooth, low-energy surfaces may need more adhesion qualification
- Cleaner residue, silicone and fingerprints must be controlled
- Factory coatings can change from supplier or batch
- Primer must be compatible and applied consistently when approved
- Color and white opacity should be judged on the actual glaze
Unglazed or textured tiles
- Porosity and dust can affect appearance and ink consumption
- Texture changes dot placement and apparent sharpness
- Height variation must remain within safe printer clearance
- Uneven or warped pieces may require a positioning plan
- Sealing or coating changes must be tested as a complete system
Surface preparation and adhesion testing
Tiles sold under the same broad description can behave differently because of glaze, release agents, factory coatings, contamination and previous handling. Use clean gloves, lint-free materials and a documented preparation method appropriate for the exact tile.
If primer or another treatment is evaluated, document the product, application method, amount and drying time. Condition the printed sample before testing and choose an acceptance method that reflects the installation rather than immediate appearance alone.
A successful sample is not proof that every tile will behave the same. Lock the tile source, preparation method, ink layers and approval procedure for repeat production.
Calculate output from the complete tile cycle
Start with the quantity and orientation of tiles that fit safely on the bed. Add artwork coverage, resolution, pass count, print direction and every color, white or varnish layer. Pattern continuity across multiple tiles may add alignment and inspection time.
Then include unpacking, cleaning, primer drying when used, fixture setup, loading, unloading, inspection, rework and downstream protection or packaging. A timed pilot batch using production tiles and artwork is the best basis for estimating finished pieces per shift.
Information to include in a tile sample request
Representative tiles
Provide the intended construction, surface, dimensions, thickness and print face, ideally from the production supplier and batch.
Production artwork
Send a real file with coverage, color reference, design alignment, white-underbase, selective-white, varnish and effect requirements.
Acceptance criteria
Define appearance, adhesion, scratching, cleaning, moisture, chemical, abrasion or weathering tests and who approves the result.
Output and handling target
Share tiles per shift, designs per batch, operating hours, loading method, changeovers, inspection capacity and final destination.