A method of forming a scratch resistant color ink pattern of multi-color coatings
(5) onto a see-through panel (6) with exact registration between
successive color coatings of the pattern. The method of the invention includes
the steps of: providing a base material (1) having an ink printable release
coating on one side thereof; applying a first color coating of ceramic ink (75)
to the printable release coating side of the base material (1); applying
at least one additional color coating of ceramic ink (76) over at least
a portion of the first color coating of ceramic ink (75); perforating the
base material to provide a pattern of light passages (28) therethrough,
the light passages (28) defining aligned edges of successive color coatings
of ceramic inks to ensure exact registration between said successive color coatings
of ceramic inks; transferring the pattern of color coatings of ceramic inks (5)
onto a surface of a see-through panel (6); and heating the see-through panel
(6) to fuse said pattern of color coatings of ceramic inks (5) onto
said surface of said see-through panel (6). In one embodiment, the base
material (1) consists of water slide paper and such that the pattern of
color coatings is wetted and transferred to the see-through panel by water slide
transfer. In another embodiment, the base material consists of heat transfer paper
and the pattern of color coatings is transferred by application of heat and pressure
or just pressure alone.