My favorite metal print
If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering what metal prints are. You saw a video or photo of me or someone else making one and thought it looked interesting. You’re trying to understand how the photos look so clear, and why they look so much better than an image printed on paper.
That’s because metal printing isn’t like printing on paper at all. (Even though you print on paper…)
So… what is a metal print?
Metal prints start with a polyester-coated sheet of aluminum. Instead of laying ink on the surface (like a normal printer), the image is actually infused into the metal using a process called dye-sublimation. When doing sublimation of all kinds, you must use sublimation-specific material. You cannot use a regular sheet of aluminum.
I like to think of it sort of as car paint. The coating is sprayed and baked on. You cannot just wipe it off. Then your image is infused into that paint. The result of this is a print that’s waterproof, scratch-resistant, fade-resistant, and tough enough to last decades.
Btw, I’m not a scientist. I didn’t invent sublimation. I try to explain things in a simple manner, the way I see them. Some people are much more educated on this than me, but they dont have a newsletter. So this is what you get!
Why people love them
They’re popular in homes, offices, galleries, and anywhere someone wants something that feels high-end or luxurious. Metal prints solve almost every problem traditional prints have.
Rich colors and deep images.
Won’t shatter, rip, or get water damaged.
Can be used indoors and outdoors.
Put on refrigerators or in art galleries.
How the process actually works
Here’s the simple breakdown:
You start with a digital photo or artwork.
It’s printed onto special sublimation paper using sublimation ink.
That paper is heat-pressed against a coated aluminum sheet.
A heat press reaches high temperature and pressure, turning the ink into gas.
The gas bonds with the coating, transferring your image inside the metal surface.
When it cools down, and you peel the paper away, you’re left with a high-definition metal print that looks better than the original paper you printed on.
Where people use them
My favorite part about metal prints is all the different ways you can use them. I’ve been doing this for a few years now, and here are a few of the options:
Anyone who wants a photo printed (obviously).
Art galleries
Photographers
Logos and signage for businesses.
Tiles for walls, ceilings, and bathrooms.
If you want to learn how to make them yourself…
I give out free information in our weekly newsletter, but if you want to really dive in and get started, I also wrote “The Metal Print Handbook,” which you can check out below. This will help you get started much faster and show you every step in a simple way.
The Metal Print Handbook + Business Guide (eBook)
Learn how to make custom metal prints and start your business
I hope this was helpful. Stay tuned for weekly letters in your inbox to help you make better metal prints and build your business.