By Jenny Callison
Enquirer contributor

MILLVALE - Graphic Arts Production is applying its skills to a new medium. After years of producing banners, signs, posters and other decorative items, the design and printing firm has developed a process that allows full-color imaging on many types of glass.

At Graphic Arts Production, Bill Tieman measures a glass spa window using the new company's technique. (Leigh pPatton photo) | ZOOM |

"Glass is the hardest surface to image on," Steve Jenner, owner of Graphic Arts Production, said. "Before, you had to etch or sandblast. Laminating is very expensive. Now we can take virtually any digital image and reproduce it on the glass."

The patent-pending process, called Graphix-Glass, begins with preparation of the glass to receive an image.

The final step is sealing the glass to protect against scratches and fading.

The company's studio holds a growing display of decorated glass products: glass shower enclosures, room dividers, freestanding garden panels, lamps and windows. Designs range from nature and family photographs to stained glass, reproduced with a detail that renders on smooth glass the look of brushstrokes, texture and leading.

"Applications are endless," Jenner said. "In all the years I've been in business, this is the most creative tool I've ever had."

Brad Oberklaus, the company's product development manager, said: "I envision patio room enclosures - big glass monsters that have nature scenes on them. Something to add a little bit of color to an otherwise pretty stark room.

"We can image on any surface up to 7 feet wide and anything less than 11/2 inches thick."

Jenner said "interior designers love it because they can use colors that reflect the wall colors, the window treatments."

Oberklaus said the technique could be used on wood, plastic, paper or cloth, giving clients the opportunity of reproducing thematic images all over a room.

"The sky's the limit," said Joe Finke, director of purchasing at Basco, the Mason-based shower enclosure manufacturer.

Finke said creation of an imaged glass that would be impervious to water is still in the concept stage, but he hopes that Basco and Graphic Arts Production will perfect a process that will allow his company to offer colorful shower stalls.

"This is how products develop, and it's definitely how two companies can hook up and talk about things that are different," he said. "I think we're really on to something."

A new look

Graphix-Glass will be on display at the Kitchen, Bath & Design Show, Oct. 2-5 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

Steve Jenner says his technology replicates the look of stained glass for about 50 percent of the cost, giving homeowners or churches an affordable alternative.

The process allows imaging on more than just glass. It works on profiled and rough-textured surfaces such as slatted window blinds and shutters, picture frames, doors and ceiling tiles. It works with various digital image file formats, including JPEG.

Graphic Arts Production is at 3090 Beekman St. Information: 681-9633.

E-mail jcallison@zoomtown.com