Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

They can look great.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Perhaps a hint of what lab you are talking about will help...

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

You have a canon 100, if the size of the print is to your liking, try using pro masters’ ultra-premium PEARL PAPER. A great look from canon inks. Closest to a metallic (aluminum) look.................RJM

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Metallic paper is a far cry from dye sublimation printed aluminum prints - giving even more "pop" to colors than Fractureme does (and I use both).

Since the metal substrate is both flatter and more reflective than paper, the colors really stand out.

As with anything else, there are better and worser (sic) labs out there who use varying grades of blank stock. I used to love a place out of Aptos (northern CA) called Laserlight - have done a few dozen prints with them over the years (selling a bunch as well). I had tried both MPIX and Bay, neither of whom could produce the same richness of color (and you could see how the thickness of the dye sub receiving material was thinner on the aluminum). But Bay just recently purchased Laserlight and when I wrote Bay asking if their quality would be the same as I had been disappointed before, one Erik Peterson said he used to work at Laserlight and their "Exhibition Mount" finish was similar.

I have not tried them, but since (thanks to this forum) have used an outfit called HDAluminum prints ( https://hdaluminumprints.artstorefronts.com/home ) and found their 24x36" poster sized print to be quite comparable to what Laserlight used to deliver.

So first, do not mistake "metal paper" with aluminum prints, they are dramatically different in look. And second, be aware that there are different qualities of output out there.

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

Thanks.

magpix Loc: St. Michaels, MD

If you want to spend the extra money for an aluminum print that is worthy of a fine art exhibition, try Blazing Editions in Rhode Island:
blazing.com Many of today's top pros use them. I've seen amazing prints that are 40x60" and am now using them for smaller sizes. They even have sample packages of various finishes (gloss, matte, etc.) where you send them one of your images and for a small fee ($50-$75) they'll send you six small prints with different finishes. There are big differences between them, and it's worth the money to see which one you prefer.

Paradise Pirate Loc: Cape Coral, FL

Bay Photo does metalic print 40x40 for $360.00, reported as pro quality

joelbolden

I have one from The Darkroom that turned out well.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Aluminum prints are really pricey, but beautiful. Their display is striking. I also do prints on metallic paper and frame them unglazed. There's a major difference between metallic paper and regular paper, and it offers similar (not same) quality at a much lower price than aluminum. I'm not as pleased with the metallic paper prints I do on my printer as I am with the ones I have done elsewhere. Not sure why.

chemsaf Loc: San Diego

The attached is a 30x40 inch on aluminum by Bay Photo. I just sold a 25x16 of another image on Bay Photo metal.
Very happy with product and service.

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Done about 10 from Printerpix.com . Go to Groupon ( https://www.groupon.com/deals/n-printerpix-16x20-custom-metal-prints ) and they can be as inexpensive as $13 for a 16x20 . If you want 3, they are less than $10 per print. Each of the 3 can be unique - you do not have to get 3 of the same print. Other sizes are also available less $ for smaller, more for bigger sizes.

I and a couple of friends have been using them for the past year and have only had 1 issue. One print had 2 small scratches on the surface that were only noticeable if viewed from the side. Because it was for a customer, I contacted Printerpix. They shipped the replacement within a day. Have only had that one issue.

Super high quality prints and great price. You will need to add $20 for shipping but that covers all prints in the same order.

Geegee Loc: Peterborough, Ont.

You can get aluminum prints in three types, polished, gloss white and mat white. The gloss white is similar to a gloss paper and the mat white is similar to a mat paper. The polished aluminum is the most striking. Things that are white or are blown out come out looking shiny. A good example is a waterfall. When viewed in the right light it is very nice. One of the advantages of aluminum prints is that you don't have to frame them (helps to defray the cost) but you will need to attach something to the back to hang them. I have found the 3M sticky hangers that you can put on a painted wall and then remove without leaving a residue work great to attach to the back of an aluminum print in order to hang it. You can then glue a couple of stand-offs to the bottom corners to make the print an even distance from the wall. It looks very professional.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Ok folks, 'metal' prints are not aluminum prints.

bleirer

How are they different? Not saying you are incorrect, but I'm looking at some from both Bay photo and Costco on my walls. They are non magnetic, metal, about 1/8 inch thick and the back looks like polished aluminum. I ordered them under 'metal prints' on the websites.

chemsaf Loc: San Diego

My Bay Photo prints are on aluminum. You can print on metallic paper, which is not aluminum