A diode laser does not usually burn a clean round dot to emulate image pixels . It has a rectangular or oval footpint that prevents high resolution engraving. on wood, glass, slate and other materials. However this method of using TiO2 is unique in the way that it converts white material into black. It is not a burning or chemical reaction but a simple melting and fusing process between the glass on the tile and the TiO2. Heating the TiO2 converts it from a superfine white powder where it reflects the light to a little solid blob of TiO2 that absorbs the light. This black blob melts and aglomorates into a little ROUND blob (by capilliary action) at over 2000C and the glass on the tile melts at about 1400C, to form a liquid puddle in which the black blob floats. These two melted materials cool to form something that is best imagined as frogsspawn or maybe the white and yellow of an egg when you crack it into a pan. This unique action of creating round black DOTS is capable of producing images at about 500ppi. The bigger the tile and the bigger the image the more impressive this process becomes. Bigger images take an age with a diode laser but this process works equally well with a CO2 laser but 4 to 6 times faster. I have used airbrushing, it is prone to clogging and is very messy. The simple spray bottle technique is best but requires the right sort of spray nozzle and more coats to get an even finish. The IPA evaporates almost instantly so it takes but a few moments before you can overcoat. Note the use of rubber gloves , it might be just a food grade white powder but it bonds to your skin and takes a a LOT of washing off. This is an excellent video that explains the technique very well.and the results are very impressive . This is also one of the few useful applications for the matrix test to attain the best parameters. Don't bypass this vital inital experiment.

Awesome info! Thanks! I had already purchased some TiO2 with the intention of trying this. Glad to know it will work!

I tried this the other day. The spray bottle I had worked, but couldn’t get a real smooth coat. Had some bubbles. Tried a brush and a few coats. Came out pretty good. Finally I just poured it on the tile and tilted it and let it flow over the tile. It dried pretty smooth and the engraving was the best one. I don’t think it really wasted the mixture any more than spraying when considering the overspray, or than the brush with multiple coats to even it out.

Going to give this method a try for sure. Thanks for video.

Wow, those came out amazing. Thank you!

Greta video and I really like the wood positioning jig you made for your laser bed

Love it man! Got a new sub....keep em' coming. Can't wait to experiment with this

These are beautiful!

Amazing detail.

Well done. Thanks for doing this!!!

Thank you INCREDIBLE Video!!!

If you could spin the tile while you're applying the mixture it would help to create a more even layer. *Advice we got from a friend who works in a lab that does nano-coating when my son and I asked him last year about doing this.

Nice video! Thank you for sharing. Experimenting with TiO2 is on my list and I have everything I need other than the time. ;-) I was going to use denatured alcohol and a brush. I was wondering if a spray bottle would work so that was also on my list to experiment with. Your results look fantastic. I like the clean up with just water.

This is really cool, never would have thought white powder goes black. TiO2 does absorb UV so that is probably why a diode laser works. It would be interesting to try this with other oxide powders, those that colour concrete would be cheap. Red, yellow, black and? Hmm hardware store has 1Kg for $15, Black, Red, White, Bluestone(grey), Chocolate, Sandstone.

Very well explained video and BOTH thumbs up for it XD Please continue and I have a question for you or users who have experience with BLACK porcelain.Can this mixture also be used on black porcelain or does it not need to be pretreated at all?

Thanks for the vid.

Note for anyone trying this: use a good respirator with a particle filter when handling the titanium dioxide powder. It is a carcinogen and you do not want to get lung cancer from breathing in the powder/fumes :)

This is a great way to color the tiles. And I already have the ingredients. Thanks for the info. You statement that breathing the TI02 powder is not worse than spray paint might not true. TI02 is a known carcinogen when inhaled.

Great video. One question: is that 50/50 mix by volume?

Great information, thanks. Where did you get your images?

Couple of questions- what do you use tiles for? Just like art or coasters or…? And where did you get the files? Love them! Thanks! :)

I think you can even use isopropylic for cleaning the tiles before spreading the TiO2 and the process will be cheaper again.

I've never heard of this art technique before (laser engraving ceramic tiles?) It looks impressive.

I just tried this not too long ago, I'm still working my mix out but I have found if you sift the Ti02 it mixes easier.

Amazing. I love the Captain America. Oh, how long did these take ? Laser power?

Brilliant

I just found this video. Thank you for this alternative to paint. After the washing, Do you have to seal it against water?

which method you use I mean diether or line to line I watch every your video please just continue you are amazing

Perhaps you could mention in future videos your image preparation.... are you using NWT method through ImagR??

Wow! I just found this video and it is spectacular, really spectacular. I only have one question, titanium dioxide, where can you buy it? A superb job!! Congratulations

Very useful tip!! Tyvm! I wonder if this method can be used on glass, white acrylic, or any other white materials? It would be a game changer if does

I was so intrigued after seeing your video, I decided to give it a try. I purchased the Titanium Dioxide from Amazon, along with some fine spray bottles. When they arrived, I got to work, using the techniques described in the video. I had just created a piece, using white Dupont paint, but was unhappy with the results - too light. Because everything was already set, I figured to use the same setting to see what kind of difference - if any - would occur between the Titanium and the paint. The titanium piece came out so well I'm afraid to wash it. The image is just about perfect, and light years ahead of the paint. This is going to be my preferred method of burning images in tile from now on. Thanks much for sharing the information via the tutorial.

This is cool. Do you know if this technique will work on other surfaces?

I have been researching this method a lot and plan on trying it next week. I was going to try an airbrush, but I saw several people, including you, say that it tends to clog. I found a couple of videos where people suggested using the Harbor Freight touch up spray gun. (61473, or 46719). I believe the nozzle on this is 0.8mm which is just a bit bigger than the 0.3mm or 0.5 mm of most airbrushes. They said it is just enough bigger that it doesn't clog. It is about 33 dollars. I picked one up yesterday, so I am going to give it a go. I already have a decent compressor so no added cost there. I'll let you know if it works.

Great video my friend. So my question is about the tiles, have you used unglazed vs glazed tiles as well and do you have an opinion on that ? Thanks for posting your video, thumbs up !

Thank you for sharing! How many lines did you do at 45%, 5000? TIA

did you turn on air assist or fume extractor??? would the tio2 blow away?

Awesome tip! Is this process dishwasher-proof? The tiles could be good to use as coaster 🙂

Just got some Marble coasters today, after some great success with Bamboo Coasters and Black coated metal Business cards I thought I would get more ambitious with cheap white Marble coasters.

add a drop or two of food coloring and it's easy to see what's covered and what's not.

Thanks for sharing! I’m so glad there’s a non-paint method to do this. I really disliked the wait time with paint and chemicals needed to remove the remaining paint. You mentioned a 50/50 mix. Since you have a dry and wet ingredient, are you saying you put like 1/4 cup of powder and the same of the alcohol in the spray bottle?

I know everybody is extolling the wonders that is TIO2, but I found that cheap, Plaid Folk Art acrylic craft paint - Snow White, to be exact - thinned down and sprayed through an airbrush produces the most excellent results. Super black engraving and it is easy as pie to wash off. Plus, it's a lot cheaper than any other method. But... to each their own 🤷‍♂

That's pretty awesome. Couple questions. How durable is it? Does it only work on white glazed tiles?

Great video and great results. Always looking at new methods. Titanium oxide in foods is now banned In Europe and I am certain the FDA are looking into it. Although the powder is available here food grade or not the reason for the ban is of course its carcinogenic. So the thought of spraying it into the air really bothers me even with a good mask. Like you say it's every where and if you touch it, it comes off. But really nice results.

Nice. How durable have you found TI02 to be once you cleaned off your tiles? Do you need to be fairly gentle with the marking or is it mostly permanent? Thanks.

Measurement question: In the comments I saw that you used a 1:1 ratio measured by volume, for example, 1 Tbsp of alcohol to 1 Tbsp of titanium dioxide. How many tiles do you estimate that you could cover with that small amount?

I see a lot of videos about ingraiving on tails but only have one question. What to do with all these tails after? What is the purpose? Put on the wall or what?

What laser engraver are you using? Great post!

Thermark makes an excellent product that can be applied with an airbrush hat will last for many years, Black is durable as you need no need to treat the Tile at all

Hi sir, how many watts laser power i should have to printing on ceramic?

will this work on dark tiles, I have attempted twice with different settings no paint do titanium oxide. The laser made where it goes shiny not engraved. 20w diode laser.

how durable is the print?

I’d trust 50/50 by weight or volume?

Thanks a lot for this. Do you think it would work on things like cement planters or candle containers made with Cementall? I don't engrave tiles, just Cementall.

I tried this method, I have splotches , am I putting it on to heavy? I did test on text at 2000@30 to 70 on my I concluded that 40-45power was good. 22w diode.

That looks outstanding. Here's a dumb question....why can't you just laser the tile without applying this finish or paint?

Hi great results,how do you measure it out,what do you use to get the mix correct

Is the 50% TO2/alcohol recipe by weight or volume?

Does the mixture hold up to storage after you mix it up? Or do you mix before each session? Thanks for the video.

50/50 by weight or by volume?

Enjoyed your video. What power is your laser?

I would like to use this technique, BUT can you go over again how "inexpensive" this treatment is for someone like me who does not own a laser or possess the knowledge to write the program for the laser to create a tile design I see in my head?

@lasersandsaws Could you tell me what type of images you used for this video? Halftone, greyscale, line art?

For image processing, do you just pull in a raw image into lightburn and it just works or do you still process via Photoshop / imag-r first using the norton black tile method process?

Nice work - I've seen a TON of these videos and it looks like there is a "clean" way to get black on tiles at last! What do people do with the tiles, tho? 🤔

can i use ethyl alcohol 70% solution????

50%:50% by volume or weight?

When you say 50:50, are you talking by weight or volume? Thanks! I have plenty of TD from my soaping. :)

I guess you can't use air assist as it will blow off the to2.

I have the Ortur LM3 10W and just couldn't get paint to work like on my other lower powered laser modules. I tried TiO2 with 91% isopropyl alcohol and magic occurred! I tried a few spray bottles but photo etches did not come out that great. I also bought 2 small detail HVLP guns but they did not work that great. I then purchased a higher end airbrush - Eclipse HP-BCS Airbrush. I use a 3:1 ratio by weight and spray 4 coats. It dries almost instantly so it goes pretty quick. For me the coating doesn't just blow off the surface so I can coat extras and store them for later use. I typically etch at 5000/17% for 423dpi. Issue I have is, even when using a DIY spray booth I get lots of bounce back spray (I use 30psi). I get excellent repeatability and may need to re-think the spray booth to have top side suction. Any help on the overspray appreciated.

Tried it and it's kinda ok, but.. speed should be much lower and power much higher compared to the paint.

I like to lightly wet sand mine with 400 grit sandpaper.

I live in ireland and find it hard to get IPA do you think surgical spirts would be the same as or work as good as isopropyl ??

I can get Titanium dioxide in different colors (pigments). Will using different colors result in a colored etching (similar to lasering over powder coat pigments), or still just a gray or dark image like with standard paint?

Nice - Any way to add color to it?

so 50% TiDo and 50% IPA = 5 tbsp of each?

I’m guessing no air assist ?

you have a video showing what you did to create the image for lasering. also what watt laser did you use? light burn, gimp? thanks

Has anyone tried this with a CO2 laser? Can the image be easily scratched off?

Does this cut into the tile or deposit material on top? Does it scrape off?

How durable is it after engraved? do you have to coat it with a top coat of something.

How does the artwork hold up? Can it be scraped off?

Hello, txs' for sharing this trick. but i have one question, you said 50% of each, it's 50% in volume or in weight?

i used this ti dioxide but nothing is happening. no image is being burned. 100% power at 500mm speed. im confused. ortur laser master 2. i also purchased the ti dioxide from your link. im i putting it on to thick? using the 91% alcohol too. fine mist sprayer, coating on tile looks good. any advise. thanks

Hi there! Thanks for the video. Can you give me some advise please? I have also tried the method. Immediately after lasering it looks nice, but after rinsing the image is ruined. I tested the best settings and let everything dry thoroughly. What am I doing wrong? Is the method only suitable for a diode laser or also for a co2 laser? I have a Co2 laser, this could be the issue. Thanks Barry

so do you turn air assist off so it doen't blow off the dust?

Do you use air assist in this project?

How you measure both to get equal amount since one is liquid and the other a powder

In Europe, Titanium Dioxide, or E171 is considered to be carcinogenic when inhaling it. Therefore it's now forbidden in a lot of appliances. The way you are using it, makes inhaling an even bigger problem, therefore I would not consider this method myself.

How is this cheaper than buying spray paint?

What is the brand of the machine? What happened to the Oturo?

How much is that machine??😅

I just engrave no paint then I run alchol based ink

is this safe with a C02 laser? like a Glowforge pro?

What laser are you using? Diode, Co2, ???

How do you get the shading ?

Would this come out black on glass?

So the Norton White Tile Method?

My mixture is coming out very grainy. I have mixed as much as possible. Any ideas? From anyone?

When you say 50 to 50 ratio on the mix is that like 1 cup to 1 cup . Or by weight? Thanks in advance