METAL PRINTS

The growing demand for metal prints has resulted in multiple options with different end results, that ensure the customer receives exactly the kind of metal print they want. Below are the three popular methods: Print on Paper and dry-mount on Dibond Direct print on Dibond using Flatbed Printers Dye-Infused Metal Imaging Prints mounted on di-bond have that thin, rigid surface, but the colors remain uninfluenced by the aluminium base and various textures can be achieved. Printing directly onto metal offers a unique, stylized finish. Dye-infusion produces a "true" metal print with a special type of printer and a process called "sublimation". Whatever your desired product, there is a metal print for you. Check out the table below, summarizing the options, then read on for an in-depth look at each.

SUMMARY SUMMARY 1. PAPER MOUNTED ON METAL 2. DIRECT PRINT TO METAL 3. DYE-INFUSED METAL IMAGING HOW IT WORKS A paper or canvas print is attached to a metal backing using a process called dry mounting. The digital image is printed directly onto the metal base using a flatbed printer. The digital image is printed on transfer paper, then infused into metal using a heat press. MAXIMUM SIZE Subject to the surface area of the heat press, up to 40x60". Subject to the surface area of the flatbed printer. Subject to the surface area of the heat press, up to 40x60". AVAILABLE SHAPES Primarily square and rectangular shapes. Primarily square and rectangular shapes. A wide variety of shapes, from square, to circular, to heart-shaped. QUALITY The paper/canvas print may be archival quality; the adhesive may weaken over time. UV-resistant inks and rigid metal substrate result in long-lasting prints. Inks are UV-resistant, and aluminium has been shown to last longer than photographic prints FINISHES Determined by substrate choice (paper, fabric, canvas); lamination is available. No options, image will show texture of the brushed metal. Matte, gloss and satin options, with white or clear coating that affects the saturation of the print.

1. PAPER PRINTS MOUNTED ON METAL

The Process Essentially an alternative to metal prints, mounting prints onto metal begins with an image printed on paper. Created from a digital file with a high-quality inkjet printer at 300 DPI (dots per inch), this image is then affixed to a flat metal sheet called "di-bond". Di-bond is an aluminium composite constructed from two thin sheets of aluminium with a plastic (polyethylene) core. A protective coating and lamination or colored surface is applied to both aluminium faces. Di-bond is perfectly flat, will not warp, is highly resistant to corrosion, and offers UV protection against discoloration. The paper and di-bond are attached by "dry mounting": using a heat press to activate the double-sided adhesive tissue laid between the print and the metal surface. Shapes and Sizes Generally, di-bond mounts are available in square and rectangular shapes only. The finished product, however, can be up to 40" wide and 60" long, or the dimensions of the heat press surface. Finishes Once the print is affixed to the di-bond, the product can be laminated, though this will affect the appearance and is not recommended in most cases. Matte or gloss laminates are available, with UV protection or dry erase capability. The type of paper will affect the finish of the product, as well. Metallic paper is recommended, as it will look and feel the most like a metal print. The pearlized sheen of this paper makes it a great match to the aluminium base. However, any photographic papers can be used, as well as smooth or textured fine art papers. Satin cloth and real canvas will also create a unique look and feel. The finished metal print can be framed, but they are generally displayed unframed. A float mount can be attached to the back, creating the appearance that the image is floating on the wall. Alternately, hooks can be affixed to the aluminium, or stand-off bolts can be inserted through holes in each corner, and then screwed into the wall. Quality and Durability The inkjet printer will create a high quality print with colors as closely matched to the original as possible, and UV-resistant, archival ink. Depending on the choice of substrate, the print will resist fading and discoloration for decades, even over 100 years. The di-bond itself is guaranteed for long term use even in outdoor conditions, so it will last in your interior setting for a long time. Unless the customer chooses lamination, the print will be as durable as the substrate allows (ie: canvas is intended to be unframed and will have a protective coating, while paper does not). If laminate is applied, it will provide a protective barrier against dust and scratches. Though the artwork is built to last for decades, it is possible the adhesive tissue will loosen eventually, and the substrate will become to detach from the metal backing. At KeenART Media, we offer dry mounting onto metal as an affordable, attractive option to a framed paper print.

The thin, visible edge of the dry mount.

2. DIRECT PRINT ON METAL

The Process Using a flatbed printer (the substrate is not rolled or bent - the printer head moves instead of the substrate, or the substrate lies on a moving bed), a digital image is printed directly onto the aluminium di-bond surface. Because the substrate is the not white, but a silver, brushed metal, whites and areas of less color (lower saturation) will allow the texture of the metal to show through. The result is a slightly muted color palate, with a strong grain. Direct prints on metal cannot, and are not intended to, be identical to the original digital image. Rather, they are an artistic reimagining that results in a unique, eye-catching display. Shapes and Sizes Rectangular and square shapes are most common for these metal prints, but if the print shop has the capability to cut the aluminium sheet, other shapes may be available. Size is limited by the size of the printer bed, which can be as large as 8 feet long. Finishes The brushed metal base automatically gives images a bold sheen to the image, as well as a unique, visible texture created by the brushed metal. Because the surface is not white (like paper or canvas), whites in the original image are slightly off-white due to the texture, and the colors are muted, creating an almost vintage appearance. Much like the dry mounted prints, a variety of options for hanging are available. Float mounts push the image out from the wall without a visible base, floater frames surround the image but do not cover the edges, and allow the print to hover within the frame. An easel back can be applied to smaller prints for table top display, and stand-off bolts offer a modern, visible but unobtrusive option. Quality and Durability Since they are constructed from nothing more than a thin sheet of metal, these prints are very lightweight. The rigidity of the material makes this a durable product that is built to last. Most flatbed printers use UV-resistant inks, which means the colors of the image should not fade over long periods of time, even if your piece is being displayed outdoors. Since there is no paper or canvas surface on top of the metal, the inks will stay affixed to the surface indefinitely.

Flatbed Printer

3. DYE-INFUSED METAL IMAGING (SUBLIMATION)

The Process For this option, considered "real" metal prints, a special printer and paper must be used. The dye-sublimation printer uses special inks (usually water-based, though solvent-based inks are available as well) that are infused into the metal from the paper with heat and pressure, as opposed to simply being printed onto the surface. The ink cartridge often has a clear laminate coating as well, which applies a protective layer as it is printing. Dye-sublimation printers are known for producing "truer" color tones than some inkjet printers, though the image can be slightly less sharp due to some diffusion before they are absorbed by the paper. This suits photographs perfectly, but can be detrimental to digital designs. The prints are dry and ready to transfer as soon as they exit the printer. Once the image has been printed on the transfer paper, it is laid face down on the metal sheet, which is treated with a coating that ensures high definition. When pressure is applied by the heat press, the ink transfers from the paper to the metal. The result is a bold, photographic print that may have a metallic undertone and subtle metallic texture. Shapes and Sizes Because the image is being pressed onto the metal, these prints offer a wide selection of shapes. Wavy-edged rectangular and square panels are available in addition to straight-edged, as well as circular, heart shapes, and more. Size is limited by the dimensions of the heat press, as even pressure must be applied to transfer the ink. Many press sizes are available, though larger print shops will have presses as large as 40"x60'. Finishes Unlike the previous options, dye-infused metal imaging offers various finishes of aluminium, including: High Gloss Brilliant high gloss surface Mid-Gloss This finish falls in between the High-Gloss and Satin options. Satin Smooth, very even and soft appearance. Great for portraits. Sheer Glossy or Matte Giving the image a translucent luminescence White white-coated panel produces a print quite true to the original digital image. Clear A clear-coated panel produces a metallic sheen and visible texture. As with the other options, many display choices exist, from easel backs and float mounts, to bars that hang multiple panels connected by metal rings. Quality and Durability The prints produced by dye-sublimation are scratch-proof and water-proof, and the protected ink guards from UV damage as well. The aluminium used is perfectly flat, and will not warp. Because the print is made up of a single, thin piece of metal, it is hardy enough to withstand bumping and even dropping in most circumstances. Testing has shown that images printed onto these special aluminium panels last twice as long as photographs printed on top quality photographic paper.

Chromaluxe Metal Print An attractive collage option for metal prints. Metal panels come in many shapes. Float mount and easel stand.

Despite their differences, pros, and cons, metal prints are a modern, stylish way to display your image. Whether you choose to have your image dry mounted onto di-bond (great for creating a desired texture due to substrate options), directly printed onto metal (for an artistic version of your original), or transferred to solid aluminium (for a long lasting, authentic effect), you are sure to end up with a one-of-a-kind artwork that will enhance the beauty of your home. To see our pricing and order metal or natural wood prints click here.