markwilliam1

Why do Metal prints look so good? Way better that my wide format Canon printer! I have Lightroom, Photoshop and all the Topaz programs. We just got back from Alaska and Fabulous Metal prints were Everywhere!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

You pay for quality, unlike home printers that merely average, if not lower, when it comes to comparing with professional printing.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Went to a shop on the Big Island full of metal prints showing typical large ocean and volcano scenes for sale. The gallery owner explained that the glow comes from how the metal reflects light differently than paper. He added that all his brilliant work was printed by Bay Photo and that I should use them too!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Vivid Metal Prints in Salisbury, NC is local to me. They do beautiful work, using dye sublimation on aluminum.

https://vividmetalprints.com

The surface smoothness and high reflectivity are what make metal so good.

MJPerini

Part of your question was WHY do metal prints look so good. They are similar to back-lit large transparencies.
They 'POP" because the print medium is reflective, increasing dynamic range.
They work best for subjects that really benefit from that dynamic range.
They certainly do not work best for everything, but when they do work they work well.
There are also metallic papers and profiles that can be used in high end pigment printers that give that look.

DRM Loc: NC

The dye sublimation process, coupled with the reflectivity of prints on aluminum, provide a vibrance and clarity that in my experience is unrivaled by either paper or canvas. Several customers have asked me if the prints are somehow backlit. They aren't, of course, but to me prints on metal are ideal for landscapes. My primary metal print labs are BLACK RIVER IMAGING (a division of Bay Photo, but with free shipping, unlike Bay) and WHITE HOUSE CUSTOM COLOR, also with free shipping. Based on prints provided by these two labs, warm colors are enhanced on metal as compared to paper or canvas. Cooler colors, on the other hand, aren't significantly different on metal versus other surfaces, at least to my eye. I don't think the processing software or technique employed is nearly as big a factor as the dye sub printing process.

Many people seem unaware that the various print labs offer not only the more commonly displayed "high gloss" metal prints, but also versions called mid-gloss and satin, both of which are somewhat akin to moving from gloss paper to lustre/matte finish paper. Also available are metal prints with a clear underlayer (as opposed to the more standard white underlayer), allowing the sheen and texture of the aluminum sheet to show through. Those surfaces might be good for photographs of subjects such as cars, boats, planes, even buildings.

madpaddler Loc: Near Seattle, Washington

I have found this thread very helpful but it begs the question: how do Metal prints work on Black & White images?

DRM Loc: NC

Absolutely. Given an image with rich blacks and high contrast, b&w on metal can be stunning.

Triplets Loc: Reading, MA

I have 2 from Bay Photo. Very pleased with the product.

Dennis

tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska

Bay Photo is my 'go to' for fabulous metal prints. Their on-line order process is easy. They will color correct if you order it. Customer service is the best ever. Living in Alaska has provided ample opportunity for scenic, wild life, ice art, and aurora photography (all metal prints of various sizes decorating my walls).

bioteacher Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Try Red River Metallic papers.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

At my recent show my Metal prints outsold my framed prints. Colors seem to pop more from a metal print.
But most of the time my clients still prefer framed prints.
Metal prints of my birds sold the best. But again, there is no rhyme or reason when it comes to why folks buy a framed or metal print. Highly individual.
Landscapes look especially great in metal.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

Maybe similar to Metallic paints, the reflective material and the incredibly smooth surface.
I use Polar Gloss Metallic 255 from Red River Paper when I want a similar look.

Ruthlessrider

I too use bay photo and have several of their/my metal prints. Now of the things AI like about them is that they have several surface finishes that make different photos interesting, and they really stand behind their work. I once got a metal print back from them (a very large print) that I thought looked like it had a piece of dust under the paint. They never hesitate, had a new print of excellent quality within two days.

Expressoman1 Loc: Jupiter, Fl. USA

I use “SHINNYPRINTS” located in Jupiter , Florida.
They are exclusively producing metal prints and their prints are outstanding.
check their website.