While there are other manufacturers and suppliers, the sources on our list are included because:

• They use RN Certified coatings and production methods to ensure the highest quality coated products and they are the coating manufacturer.
  
  
• We personally know the owners and know that their commitment to customer service is excellent.
  
  
• They have a proven track record of "doing it right" the first time or of quickly "making it right", if they make a mistake.

Paul Whitehill, of Missouri based Bison Coating and Supply Co. is a seasoned expert in the field of tile sublimation, application and installation.

Bison offers five different tiles and finishes. The types offered are Glossy, Satin, Porcelain, Tumbled Stone and their new Glass Tiles. While all of their tile types have profitable possibilities, we predict that their new glass tiles (yes they really are glass) will take the interior-decorating world by storm!

The two images in this section are on their 6x6 glass tiles. The image is actually on the back of the tile and you are looking at it, through the glass. The same is true of the "swimming pool" floor you saw earlier.

Here is a picture of sublimated glass cutting boards. Contact Bison at 866-402-4766 for more information.

The digital images were produced with "The Tile Master" and our ArTainium UV+ inks (see www.dyesubinks.com, to learn about inkjet sublimation).

Contact Information - www.bisoncoating.com, sales@bisoncoating.com, Phone 866-402-4766

Why the tile coating is all-important!

Our endorsement of only the above two companies is not meant to imply that they are the only companies supplying coated tiles. There are actually quite a few. What is important for you to know is the fact that there is often quite a big difference in the quality of the coatings.

Last year, when we were testing the first prototype of The Tile Master™, we ordered coated tiles (because we don't sell them) from quite a few different companies. We actually weren't testing the tiles, we wanted to test production methodologies with different types of tiles for our new heat press. Observations from our results were unexpected and surprising.

Image quality and durability on many of the tiles ranged from "you got to be kidding", to "OK, for strictly decorative purposes". We never could get an excellent sublimation image on some of them. Others that seemed to produce a good image suffered from the coating delaminating from the tile, after a few months.

The only consistent quality (of image and coating) was with the RN Certified coated tiles.

What is RN Certified coated tiles?

The designation "RN Certified" means two things. First, it means the manufacturing coater is using very specific types of coating for their tiles, developed by Rich Neely. Second, (and just as importantly) the manufacturing coater must follow his strict procedures for spraying and curing their tiles.

After several years of development, Rich Neely introduced his first sublimation coatings in 1991. During the following years he continued to refine his coatings and introduced others. Different types of tile surfaces and specific applications require different types of chemical formulas and curing processes.

Further validation of his coatings and processes comes from his large commercial and industrial clients. Quite bluntly, the coating is very expensive and those clients would not buy it, unless they knew it was worth it.

Summary

We have asked you to read a lot on this page, but we know it is worth it. We can provide you with the best equipment and sublimation inks in the world and all kinds of production, sales and marketing information but it does you no good, if the tiles fail.

However, as we mentioned, many gloss tiles from other companies are OK for strictly decorative purposes. Specifically, they could be used for awards, as inserts in wooden boxes, small framed murals, etc.

However, we only include Bison and Tropical coated tiles in the tile assortments for our Package Deals. Also, for your information, we don't make a dime from any suppler endorsements.

On the next few pages we offer template programs and photo editing choices that may benefit you. On the last page we conclude your basic tour with many "Business Ideas" to help your planning. This is one page of your tour that you definitely want to completely read.

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