Since the very beginning of the ceramic industry, manufacturers have continuously sought to give tiles greater three-dimensionality and character. In the past, several techniques were used to create unique surfaces and faithfully reproduce the appearance of natural stone. One of the most renowned and appreciated methods involved creating a three-dimensional structure using presses equipped with different punches, followed by the flaming and brushing stages.
This process, with its almost handcrafted approach, involved applying only a few grams of coloured glaze (the so-called flaming process) after pressing and engobe application. The surface was then brushed to clean and smooth the tile, allowing the coloured glaze to remain only within the recesses created by the punch. This preparation created the ideal base for the final decoration, resulting in ceramic surfaces with outstanding three-dimensionality, highly customised colour effects and exceptional aesthetic value.
Today, this traditional expertise has been reinterpreted and enhanced through INCO DigiStructure coloured structuring inks, bringing the process to a new level of efficiency and precision.
The new DigiStructure coloured inks are applied directly onto the ceramic body immediately after the smooth pressing stage, eliminating the need for structured punches. The core of the technology lies in the chemical and physical interaction between the inks and the subsequent layers, as well as in the selection of the ink colour according to the desired graphic design. Applied following a predefined pattern, the inks produce a precise, clean and controlled opening of the engobe applied afterwards. This creates genuine three-dimensional structures with distinctive colour effects, accurately reproducing—down to the smallest detail—the textured finishes that were once achievable only through traditional punches, flaming and brushing.
Unlike conventional production methods, this digital evolution offers complete control and unprecedented flexibility. DigiStructure is an advanced range of coloured structuring inks: rather than acting as a simple neutral agent, it is available in a selection of colours, including matt white, beige, brown, blue and black. These colours can be used individually or combined to decorate and colour the structure itself, faithfully recreating the appearance of traditional punch texturing and reproducing the characteristic three-dimensional effects of natural stone with exceptional accuracy.
Digital application also makes it possible to achieve perfect synchronisation between the three-dimensional structure and the graphic design printed afterwards. As a result, every raised vein or groove aligns precisely with the decoration, overcoming the alignment limitations associated with traditional production methods.
The combination of natural aesthetics, colour and geometric precision enables manufacturers to create unique, sophisticated and highly customised decorative effects. At the same time, the process requires only minimal quantities of product, reducing waste while optimising production costs.
All INCO DigiStructure coloured structuring inks are entirely designed and manufactured at INCO‘s headquarters in Pavullo nel Frignano, ensuring the highest standards of quality and performance.
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