Plant extracts

Transfer printing is a mass-production method of applying an image to a curved or uneven surface. It is most commonly used for printing on porcelain and other hard surfaced pottery. Transfer printing evolved in England in the 1750s. The image is first engraved on a copper plate, and then different ink colours added - often mixed with oil and heated to allow the colour to run deeper in to the engravings. Then it is transferred to a special paper and placed on the ceramic. This is known as the 'bat' and gives the process its alternative name: 'bat printing'. This is then placed on the ceramic object in its unglazed state after its initial firing to transfer the image to the object; the object is then glazed and fired again to make the image permanent. Seing as there are a great number of steps to be taken, transfer printing is the most expensive and time connsuming.