cindo51

I have always printed my photographs on paper... beautiful, archival, luster our matte...I also love renting on William Turner Deckled edge and have the framer 'float' the picture. More and more often I see other photographers at show printing on glass or metal...and I'm tempted to experiment.... perhaps a different look will be a run avenue for a while... I have a show coming up in July, but one thing holding me back is that I can't picture a show consisting of 'some of those alternatives', and more of them printed and framed in the traditional manner... My photos are a lot of country pictures, some city (usually B&W) and many pictures from my safaris to Africa... Any ideas?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Try a metal print of something and see if you like it.
Then go from there.....

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Yes, this is almost a must. Colors really pop printed on metal.
Any art show I go to almost all photos are printed on metal. My preference is glossy on white aluminum.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

I used to print my own metal pics.

Certain photos lend themselves to metal printing (they all actually look cool). Sunsets, fall colors and anything with punchy colors.

I use to sell mixed media but the metal prints outsold canvas and/or luster, glossy prints.

As someone suggested, take one of your best selling images and have it printed on metal. Many on-line services out there.

Good luck!

Farm Boy Loc: Mendota Illinois

I like glass if you hang it, it is easy to clean.

tommclaughlin

That's my preference too: Glossy white aluminum. Color and sharpness are best, but it's expensive. It costs me $156 to have a 24x36 shipped to my customers. I charge them $395 but they're always satisfied after they get it.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

RedRiver Paper Company has metallic paper that gives a glow to photos especially those with thing reds and yellows ..." images will take on a brilliant, almost luminescent quality."
https://www.redrivercatalog.com/browse/66lb-polar-pearl-metallic-inkjet-photo-paper.html
8"x10" 50 $0.84 $41.95
They also have a sampler kit
https://www.redrivercatalog.com/samples/

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I found the paper makes a difference, when comparing printing of metal, I compare it to semi-gloss paper.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If it were me, I might take a sample image and process it several different ways, then have it printed on metal and see which I like best. It could be done with a single print... just assemble "strips" or "segments" from each of the test versions into a single image.

Most of my color printing has been on matte paper... matted and framed.

For black & white I prefer a lustre paper... low gloss.

I have only done a few metal prints. I think more colorful, saturated images work best on metal. Scenes with a lot of reflections might look good, too.

I've never printed on glass, so don't have an opinion.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I use a couple different types of their metallic paper. In my fall photos and car photos it really adds a pleasant punch in my personal opinion. I bought a couple sample packs a couple years ago. Was a great way to play inexpensively.

CTTonymm Loc: Connecticut

I second this. I love printing on this paper (Red River Polar Metallic). It really "pops" the colors and seems to provide more depth to the picture. Try some on different photos - it may give you the versatility you want without the metal hassle ? RR provides paper/printer profiles.

fstoprookie Loc: Central Valley of California

Would love to find if you liked the print (Metal) that you had sent to your customer - Was the customer satisfied - and Who is the company

MJPerini

It is a personal choice, As someone already pointed out certain pictures really pop on metal (or metallic Paper for that matter) I have tried about a dozen over the years, but always come back to paper.
While I like the pictures I have had printed on metal they feel slightly 'gimmicky" to me. Maybe 'commercial' like I might see in a restaurant or bank. (Just a personal feeling)
In my personal view, anything that calls attention to the print itself takes a little away from the Picture which is the aim. So I have settled mostly on 16x 24 images on 17 x 26 paper with an 8 ply white museum board over mat 24x32 Acrylic glazing and Nielsen frames. It is my look. It feels right for me.
You have developed your own 'Look' it is sort of a statement.
There is nothing whatever wrong with trying any type of print you like, but doing so because someone else did it probably isn't the best reason to do so.
If you show your work, how will the different types of prints work together as a 'Body of Work'
So think about those considerations, and do whatever makes sense to you, would be my best advice.

tommclaughlin

I use Aluminyze. Customers choose from my web site: tommclaughlin.photos. If you visit it, choose one of the venues (locales) as the opening page has been malfunctioning. The others work fine.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

I started printing all of my work on metal years back when it was new. Everybody loved the look. Made for an easy sell.
Any fairs I go to now, almost all photographers print on metal.
I suggest taking one of your shots and having it printed on a 12x18 metal. In doing so, you have to allow for .2 of an inch all the way around. In other words, crop the image to 12.2 x 18.2. The printer needs the over lap.
I floated all of my metal prints makes for a good presentation.
Don’t forget to up your pricing to adjust for the additional cost.
In lue of metal, there is paper like Kodak metallic paper which gives a similar appearance.