The Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorators (SGCD) of America will host its Deco “97 annual seminar and show in San Diego, California from 28 September to 1 October. Programme chairperson Myra Smitle…
The Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorators (SGCD) of America will host its Deco “97 annual seminar and show in San Diego, California from 28 September to 1 October. Programme chairperson Myra Smitley says the show is an event that every decorator should attend to learn how to adapt to new heavy metal regulations. Since its inception in 1964, the event has grown steadily, attracting 604 decorators and 30 exhibiting companies to Orlando, Florida in 1996. Advance exhibitor registration has already reached 61 companies. Exhibitors will demonstrate new technologies in every facet of the decorating process. There will be companies that sell colours and enamels, decals, kilns and lehrs, screen printing equipment, refining services, blank glass and ceramicware, precious metals and decorating equipment. The seminar will open on Monday, 29 September with a focus on regulatory issues and firing techniques. There will be a workshop on the importance of the firing process to minimise heavy metal release from glass and ceramic hollow ware and flatware. On 29 September, a regulatory seminar that will review changes related to decorating with heavy-metal containing colours and examine possible future regulatory actions that may affect the decorating industry. A “Back to Basics Decorating Workshop” will deal with issues related to substrates, enamels, precious metals, artwork & screening, machinery, decals and other basic decorating issues. They will also emphasise the importance of testing if using heavy-metal bearing colours. Technical seminars will focus on flat glass, hollowware and ceramic decorating as well as ceramic coatings and glazes. The “Focus on Ceramics” session will examine issues of interest to decorators of ceramicware. Speakers will present papers on, amongst other things, screen printing and ceramic decals, the design process, and ink jet technology. “Focus on Coatings & Glazes” will include technical sessions related to ceramic coating applications, while “Focus on Hollowware” will be held on topics of interest to decorators of hollowware, including glass and ceramic containers. Further information on the show can be obtained from SGCD at 1627 K Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20006, USA. Tel: + 1 202 728-4132; Fax: +1 202 728-4133; e-mail: sgcd@sgcd.org / website: hhtp:/www.sgcd.org