Photofusion gives cultured marble the look of natural slab-stone at a fraction of the cost.

An innovative process that imprints high-resolution images into cultured marble has transformed the design options available to homeowners looking for an elegant and practical alternative to tile in the shower area. Photofusion recreates the look of real stone while maintaining the durability, ease-of-installation and cost-effectiveness of cultured marble. The process combines heat and pressure to fuse the imagery into the surface of gel-coated cultured marble and goes by the brand name TruStone™.

Consumers want the look of granite, marble and travertine in their bathrooms, and now they can have it without the disadvantages of natural stone. “Everyone’s buying natural stone, but it’s porous, cracks easily, expensive and structurally difficult to install for a shower.  With TruStone™ you have the aesthetic appeal of natural stone products- without the weight, porosity or finishing requirements, and at a significantly lower cost” according to Peter Minch –owner of Designers Marble in Woodinville. “Some homeowners still consider stone tile an option but it just doesn’t compete with TruStone™ because you still have grout lines and the maintenance issues that go along with tile”, he said.  His company, Designers Marble, has acquired an exclusive licensing agreement with Design Imaging of Orem, Utah to manufacture TruStone™. “We pride ourselves on keeping up with industry trends and acquiring this unique and innovative technology sets us apart in the bathroom remodeling business”, he said.

Builders and remodelers who work with cultured marble know about its time-proven benefits. Now it can be as aesthetically compelling as it is practical.  Many consumers have the perception of cultured marble as just swirled veins and that look is not for everyone.  With TruStone™ homeowners can choose from a large collection of exquisite images of natural stone.   Customers are not limited by color or pattern. In fact, the photofusion process can incorporate any image a customer wants, whether slab stone, mountain scenery or a secluded beach, says Minch.  “We recently completed our first custom image in TruStone™, on a Mocha Travertine background we’ve photofused my black lab “Jet” onto a cultured marble piece that is now serving as a conference table at a hunting lodge in Monroe.”, however, he cautions, since it is a gel-coated product it’s most practical use is for bathroom applications: custom shower pans, tub decking and skirts, shower surrounds and countertops.

“We are a full service bathroom remodeler; from demolition to final installation we can handle the entire project. We don’t just cover up an existing shower; instead we replace it with a high quality, easy-to-maintain custom manufactured product and usually at less expense.”  He adds, “By dealing direct with the manufacturer, the customer is saving money and their design options are virtually unlimited."

In today’s market, homeowners are looking for bathroom surface products that are not only cost-effective and durable but products that will provide lasting added value to their home investment. Now, with the local availability of TruStone™, there is an alternative to tile that is both practical and elegant.

Designers Marble is the leading custom manufacturer of cultured marble and granite in the Puget Sound area and the exclusive licensed manufacturer of TruStone™ for Washington State.  Their production facility, offices and showroom are located in Woodinville.  In addition to their showroom, homeowners can see TruStone™ displays at The Homeshow Daily in Seattle.