Panels having a decorative surface may include a plate shaped substrate and a top layer, and the top layer may include a paper layer having a printed pattern. A method for manufacturing such panels may involve providing the paper layer with at least a portion of the printed pattern by depositing pigment containing inks using a digital inkjet printer of a single pass type. The printed pattern may have a definition of at least 200 dpi. The pigment containing inks may be water-based. The digital inkjet printer may include print heads with nozzles for firing droplets of pigment containing inks onto the paper layer. The droplets may have a volume smaller than 50 picoliters. The dry weight of the deposited pigment containing ink may be less than 10 grams per square meter. The printed pattern may cover 80 percent or more the paper layer. The paper layer may have a mean air resistance according to the Gurley method of below 30 seconds, and having a weight between 60 and 90 grams per square meter. The paper layer may be fed from a roll, printed upon, and rolled back up again. The paper layer, while printing, may be flexible and may be attached to the plate shaped substrate after printing. A layer of thermosetting resin may be applied above the paper layer and the printed pattern. Providing the layer of thermosetting resin may involve a press treatment. A counter layer or balancing layer may be applied to the substrate.

A surface texturing assembly includes a cementitious material that can be applied to an exposed surface for enhancing the ornamental appearance of the exposed surface. A swirling tool is provided and the swirling tool is manipulated to engage the cementitious material when the cementitious material is wet. The swirling tool has a pair of spaced members that each sinks into the cementitious material when the swirling tool is manipulated to engage the cementitious material. Moreover, the swirling tool is rotatable such that each of the spaced members travels in an arc to form a respective one of a pair of swirling arcs in the cementitious material. In this way the swirling tool is movable along an entirety of the exposed surface for shaping the cementitious material into a plurality of swirling, intersecting arcs.

A method for creating a sculpture is disclosed. Such a method may include importing a two-dimensional image into a computer having a 3D sculpting program, and using said program to create a three-dimensional model of the two-dimensional image. A prototype of the three-dimensional model may then be printed with a 3D printer. The prototype may then be placed into a container and submerged in a casting solution. Once the casting solution cures, forming a mold, the prototype is removed, and a molding material may be poured or inserted into the void resulting from the removal of the prototype. Once the molding material is cured, it may be removed from the mold, forming a three-dimensional sculpture. Such methods may be used for casting such decorative objects as intaglios, reliefs, plaques, cameos, busts, silhouettes, medallions, and coins.

A method for creating a sculpture is disclosed. Such a method may include importing a two-dimensional image into a computer having a 3D sculpting program, and using said program to create a three-dimensional model of the two-dimensional image. A prototype of the three-dimensional model may then be printed with a 3D printer. The prototype may then be placed into a container and submerged in a casting solution. Once the casting solution cures, forming a mold, the prototype is removed, and a molding material may be poured or inserted into the void resulting from the removal of the prototype. Once the molding material is cured, it may be removed from the mold, forming a three-dimensional sculpture. Such methods may be used for casting such decorative objects as intaglios, reliefs, plaques, cameos, busts, silhouettes, medallions, and coins.

Panels having a decorative surface may include a substrate and a top layer, and the top layer may include a paper layer having a printed pattern. A method for manufacturing such panels may involve providing the paper layer with a treatment that includes providing the paper layer with an ink receiving substance, and providing the treated paper layer with at least a portion of the printed pattern. The printed paper layer may be provided with thermosetting resin. Providing the portion of the printed pattern may involve depositing pigment containing inks on the treated paper layer using a digital inkjet printer. The printed pattern may be provided in a single continuous relative movement of the paper layer with respect to the digital inkjet printer. The pigments may be color pigments. The digital inkjet printer may include print heads with nozzles for firing droplets of the pigment containing inks onto the treated paper layer. The pigment containing inks may include a water vehicle that maintains a contact angle, at the interface between the droplets of pigment containing ink and the treated paper layer, between 0 and 90. The contact angle may be measured between the droplets and the treated paper layer. The droplets may have a volume of 15 picoliters or less. A definition of at least 200 dpi may be attained in the portion of the printed pattern.

A system, kit, device, and method for generating pixelated modeling compound art is provided. The system or kit can include a modeling tool, a substrate, a plurality of modeling compounds, and optionally a leveler. The modeling tool may include one or more characteristics identifying specific distinct cells or portions of cells of the modeling tool that are associated with a specific modeling compound having a distinct characteristic, e.g., a color. The specified modeling compound may be pressed or inserted into apertures in the cells to provide a plurality of individual volumes of modeling compound deposited on the substrate. The modeling tool may be removed, leaving the pixelated modeling compound art present on the substrate.

Panels having a decorative surface may include a plate shaped substrate and a top layer, and the top layer may include a paper layer having a printed pattern. A method for manufacturing such panels may involve providing the paper layer with a treatment, including providing the paper layer with an ink receiving substance. The treated paper layer may be provided with at least a portion of the printed pattern by depositing pigment containing inks using a digital inkjet printer. The pigment containing inks may be water-based. The digital inkjet printer may include print heads with nozzles for firing droplets of pigment containing inks onto the treated paper layer. The paper layer may be fed from a roll, printed upon, and rolled back up again. The paper layer, while printing, may be flexible and may be attached to the plate shaped substrate after printing. A layer of thermosetting resin may be applied above the paper layer and the printed pattern. Providing the layer of thermosetting resin may involve a press treatment. The paper layer may be a colored base paper, a pigmented base paper, and/or a dyed base paper.

The present invention relates to a macroscopic, two or three-dimensional support medium that facilitates artistic expression and the creation and display of macroscopic art, design that is applied art and architecture. The invention also relates to various methods of making such novel support mediums and the works of art, design and architecture they are made as or into. Examples are works of art, design and architecture made with new and extraordinary aesthetic and/or functional properties from the use of nanomaterials.

A method for texturing and applying a decorative finish to an article or other surface comprising application of a texture of hot melt adhesive to an article such that the texture mimics melted candle wax drippings that have adhered to the outer surface of a candle as the melted wax was running down the candle and dried during its path downward. At least one coating of paint is applied to the article and at least one coating of urethane is applied to said article.

Panels having a decorative surface may include a substrate and a top layer, and the top layer may include a paper layer having a printed pattern. A method for manufacturing such panels may involve providing the paper layer with a treatment that includes providing the paper layer with an ink receiving substance, and providing the treated paper layer with at least a portion of the printed pattern. The printed paper layer may be provided with thermosetting resin. Providing the portion of the printed pattern may involve depositing pigment containing inks on the treated paper layer using a digital inkjet printer. The printed pattern may be provided in a single continuous relative movement of the paper layer with respect to the digital inkjet printer. The pigments may be color pigments. The digital inkjet printer may include print heads with nozzles for firing droplets of the pigment containing inks onto the treated paper layer. The pigment containing inks may include a water vehicle that maintains a contact angle, at the interface between the droplets of pigment containing ink and the treated paper layer, between 0? and 90?. The contact angle may be measured between the droplets and the treated paper layer. The droplets may have a volume of 15 picoliters or less. A definition of at least 200 dpi may be attained in the portion of the printed pattern.