Printed Glass Stone Textures: Ultra Realistic Marble and Onyx on Glass

Benefits of reproducing stone textures on glass

While there a range of technologies available for printed glass, the ImagInk ceramic ink process offers the widest range of benefits for reproducing stone on glass. Aside from advantages associated with this unique printing process, reproducing stone textures on glass offers a wide range of advantages:

• Durability: Ceramic inks are resistant to UV, scratching and moisture
• Maintenance: As a non-porous surface, there is no required maintenance over and above a standard cleaning routine.
• Configurable: Digitally printed glass accepts a range of processing options: Double glazing, laminating, shape cutting, hole cutting and more.
• Weight: Glass is significantly lighter than stone, which simplifies the logistics of transport and installation. The reduced weight also means that less structural reinforcement is needed, which can be a crucial factor in renovation projects or in areas where heavy materials might pose a challenge.
• Cost effective: Digitally printed glass is a significantly cheaper alternative to natural stone due to material costs, and handling costs. If the panel breaks during installation or in use – simply print an exact replacement.

Printed glass stone textures: benefits for bathroom and kitchen design

While using stone in wet areas is by no means a new application, the use of stone can be constrained by cost and porosity. In wet areas stone such as marble can be susceptible to staining and discolouration over time, due to use of cleaning products and build up of personal products such as lotions and creams. This can be avoided by laminating the stone to glass, and using the glass as the outer layer, however this process adds additional time, weight, and cost.

Additionally, the use of printed glass eliminates grout in wet areas, relying only on minimal silicone joins between panels. This seamless finish contributes to a high aesthetic outcome, however is also highly practical - cleaning and maintenance associated with mouldy and discoloured grout is eliminated.

Printing from studio quality photography ensures the detail in marble textures shines, creating elegant and striking wall features within wet areas. Colours are replicated to the exact shades of original stone for incredible realism.

The other benefit to using printed glass is sheet size. With a maximum printed size of 2450 x 4880mm, stone textures can be printed and installed with minimal joins creating a seamless floor to ceiling finish.

Unlike natural marble slabs that come with variations and limited availability, printed glass can be tailored to fit specific dimensions and design preferences, ensuring a perfect fit. This level of customisation extends to choice of marble patterns and colours - having an extensive texture library allows for a unique design that can be coordinated to tie in perfectly with other material choices.

For kitchen design, printed glass splashbacks provide the same seamless finish with minimal silicone joins. This not only enhances visual continuity but also makes cleaning kitchen areas a breeze - simply wipe down the glass with a cloth, and it looks as pristine as the day it was installed.

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Backlighting: Marble vs Onyx vs Printed Stone Textures

When it comes to backlighting, onyx is preferable in comparison to marble. This is due to its natural translucency which allows light to pass through more effectively. The textural colours and unique patterns present in onyx can be dramatically enhanced with backlighting, creating a striking visual effect that brings out the stone's depth, complexity and ability to diffuse light evenly.

Marble is less translucent and therefore doesn’t achieve the same level of illumination when backlit. Marble can still be backlit; however, the effect is often much subtler with the light emphasising the veining and texture rather than passing through the material.

However, backlighting onyx comes with two critical considerations: cost, and natural variations in the stone. Onyx is an expensive material due to its rarity and care needed during handling and installation. This cost can increase significantly if reinforcement is required for backlighting – laminating stone to glass is a common technique to create extra strength and protection, albeit at a greater weight and cost.

Additionally, onyx can can have natural imperfections or variations in thickness that may result in uneven lighting. Achieving consistent light distribution across the entire surface may require careful planning and possibly additional layers of material to ensure an even glow.

In comparison, reproducing onyx or marble on glass using ceramic inks on glass creates an outcome ideally suited for backlighting. Ceramic inks produce vivid, high-resolution images and patterns that retain their clarity and colour integrity when illuminated. In addition, the printed design is durable and resistant to fading, even when exposed to UV light - this makes them perfect for natural illumination as well as artificial.

The ImagInk Design collection contains over 60 high resolution marble, onyx and granite textures based on studio grade photography of real stone. The collection is designed specifically for printed glass applications and is free to use.

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Utilising printed glass stone textures as commercial facades

Stone textures on commercial facades represent a synthesis of traditional aesthetic appeal and modern architectural technology, providing buildings with a distinctive and impactful presence. The use of digitally printed glass with stone textures allows architects to create eye-catching facades that mimic natural stone without the associated weight and structural challenges. This technique offers enhanced durability and versatility, along with a significant reduction in installation and maintenance costs compared to natural stone facades.

A prime example of in commercial architecture is the facade of the Folkwang Library. This project showcases how printed glass can be used to achieve a natural stone appearance, providing the library with a visually stunning and culturally resonant exterior that integrates seamlessly into its urban context.

The library's facade features high-resolution images of stone, printed on glass panels, which not only captivate onlookers but also contribute to the building’s thermal efficiency and natural light modulation. The unique approach not only enhances the building's aesthetic but also its functional attributes, proving that beauty and practicality can coexist harmoniously in modern commercial design.

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Specifying a printed glass stone texture for your project

Step 1: Design consultation & selection

Begin with a consultation with your nominated glass specialist. During this meeting, discuss your vision, the specific stone texture you want to replicate, and where in your project you plan to use the printed glass. Provide any reference materials or samples that you like. This step is crucial for ensuring that the printed glass will meet your aesthetic and functional needs. The consultation should also cover the dimensions of the glass needed, any special features such as additional treatments for safety, and the desired translucency or opacity.

To streamline the selection process, we offer clients a royalty-free library of over 200 patterns and textures to select from. These are tested and colour corrected to work with ImagInk ceramic glass printing, providing a highly efficient workflow that eliminates lead times for sampling. Alternatively, clients are welcome to supply their own stone texture to print from.

Step 2: Customisation, proofing and sampling

‍Once the design specifics are established, a digital or printed proof is supplied based on the nominated texture and specifications. This stage may involve small adjustments to color, scale, and detail of the print to ensure it perfectly matches your requirements. It’s important to consider how the texture will interact with different lighting conditions and other elements in the space. Review these proofs carefully to make sure every aspect of the texture meets your expectations before final production begins.

Printed samples are provided for final sign off before manufacture begins.

Step 3: Fabrication and Installation

‍After approving the design, the printed glass panels will be manufactured using high-resolution ImagInk digital printing technology and ceramic inks. The glass will then undergo heat treatment such as toughening or heat strengthening. Once complete, the panels will be ready for installation in the same manner as regular glass.

We understand the unique demands that are part of integrating printed glass solutions into diverse architectural projects. If your project doesn't fit into the usual box, our experienced team are available to provide you with tailored advice. Contact us today to start a conversation about how digitally printed glass can elevate your next project.