Metal Prints
Apr 28, 2013 12:42:29 #
I'm sure that most have seen Adoramas ad for metal prints. Has anyone gotten any?
Apr 29, 2013 06:04:19 #
RonH
Loc: Shoreview MN
It really funny that "metal prints" are listed as something new by most places that are doing them. They really are dye sublimation prints. Look that up and you will see how it's done. They also can be done on about 20 different types of metal. Check out your local trophy and award places of business. They most likely are doing dye sub work for the plaques on the trophies. Some award/dye sub shops have very large presses and can print on up to 40" pieces of metal.
I did dye sub work for over 15 years and yes there are tricks to do it correctly. Also the metal, its dye sub coating, how it acts to the heat, how the press is lifted and other work flow items all effect the final print.
Dye sub metal prints to me are like HDR to many others. It's frequently overdone, over saturated on the print out that is in reverse form then pressed through the dye sub coating. To each it's own but I don't care for them at all and I have done thousands of dye sub prints (under 4x6) over the years.
Ron H
I did dye sub work for over 15 years and yes there are tricks to do it correctly. Also the metal, its dye sub coating, how it acts to the heat, how the press is lifted and other work flow items all effect the final print.
Dye sub metal prints to me are like HDR to many others. It's frequently overdone, over saturated on the print out that is in reverse form then pressed through the dye sub coating. To each it's own but I don't care for them at all and I have done thousands of dye sub prints (under 4x6) over the years.
Ron H
Apr 29, 2013 06:17:14 #
Apr 29, 2013 07:09:15 #
peterg
Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
Prints on metal creates a very high gloss durable print. Like any print surface, it is suitable for some photos and not for others. At a recent photo show, I had the same photo on lustre paper and aluminum. One spouse preferred the lustre and the other preferred the aluminum. They bought the more expensive aluminum.
Apr 29, 2013 07:38:37 #
I don't think metal prints and aluminum are the same and with metal prints you can order them printed three different ways depending on how you want the outcome. It is very true that all photos do not lend themselves well to metal. The light parts of the photo will show off the metal. I did kitchen photos, ex., the gas flame on the range and a section of a metal pot..these lent themselves well to being printed on metal and made for good washable art in the kitchen..also metal prints are floated for hanging.
Apr 29, 2013 08:01:16 #
I really like how vivid many of the metal prints I've seen are, but I find that I'm distracted by the reflection they have. Maybe there is a way to eliminate this problem. If so, none of the photographers who have had their work printed on metal have discovered it.
Apr 29, 2013 08:04:15 #
As an aside, Titanium can be printed on using differing voltage to create differing colors.
http://www.wikihow.com/Color-Titanium
More of an art than a photo tool, however there must be someone who is percolating the idea of using a printer to convert printing signal to voltage and do a titanium print.
The titanium print is somewhat like a butterfly wing. While there is pigment on the wing it is not based entirely on pigment but also on structure:
http://www.livescience.com/6606-source-shimmering-butterfly-wing-colors-revealed.html
Metal prints are indeed different than those on paper and certainly have a different visual feel to the eye. There are articles on the net regarding coating aluminum from builders supply for printing at home... tempted but have not tried. For "how to at home" see: http://marytaylorart.com/FAQ/inkAID.htm
The photo is from the Titanium article cited.
http://www.wikihow.com/Color-Titanium
More of an art than a photo tool, however there must be someone who is percolating the idea of using a printer to convert printing signal to voltage and do a titanium print.
The titanium print is somewhat like a butterfly wing. While there is pigment on the wing it is not based entirely on pigment but also on structure:
http://www.livescience.com/6606-source-shimmering-butterfly-wing-colors-revealed.html
Metal prints are indeed different than those on paper and certainly have a different visual feel to the eye. There are articles on the net regarding coating aluminum from builders supply for printing at home... tempted but have not tried. For "how to at home" see: http://marytaylorart.com/FAQ/inkAID.htm
The photo is from the Titanium article cited.
Titanium Voltage Chart (Wikihow citation)
Apr 29, 2013 09:08:50 #
I've not gotten any, but the photo processing lab where I get my printing done does them. In certain cases, they look spectacular. The "look" is dependent on the subject matter of the image. As such, some will not look as good as others.
Apr 29, 2013 09:23:03 #
mcgramb wrote:
..also metal prints are floated for hanging.
Can you elaborate on that?
Apr 29, 2013 09:26:28 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Can you elaborate on that?
Sunsets with lots of color look fantastic. A simple shot of the beach/ocean, etc. with a cloudless sky looks pretty ordinary. At least that was my impression when looking at several different metal prints.
Apr 29, 2013 10:35:13 #
I ordered one from them. Pretty cool but I thought the colors washed out a bit. Mine was a portrait and that may be the problem. It may not be the best format for skin tones. Maybe best for nature shots. Or it could be that i have so much natural light in my home that it causes glare. Either way, it makes a statement and stands out from being so thin. I do plan to order another at some point. Good luck!
Apr 29, 2013 11:02:12 #
I have six metal prints. I must tell you they are spectacular. I have them on our wall at home and receive raves every time someone sees them. Be sure to order with the hanger on the back. Bay Photo was the supplier.
Apr 29, 2013 12:24:35 #
mcgramb wrote:
..also metal prints are floated for hanging.
If I may, Jerry? Blocks are added to the back of the flat metal (unframed) to hold it out away from the wall when hung.
..also metal prints are floated for hanging.
jerryc41 wrote:
Can you elaborate on that?
If I may, Jerry? Blocks are added to the back of the flat metal (unframed) to hold it out away from the wall when hung.
Apr 29, 2013 12:34:05 #
You used to be able to get silver and gold colored ink-jet photo paper. It is probably still out there somewhere.
Apr 29, 2013 13:47:34 #
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