Posted by Jesse Speer on April 21, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Anyone here have any experience with printing onto metals, such as an aluminum sheet? I was contacted by a vendor who specializes in this, and was wondering how it might look with certain types of nature photos. I'll probably try it out, but I'm just curious to see if anyone else has tried it already.
I also notice that Duraplaq mounts to aluminum. Anyone experimented with this as well? Any comments by those who have seen their setup in person?
Posted by Todd Caudle on April 21, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Contact Dave Showalter, he just had this done and, if I remember correctly, was very pleased.
Jesse,
I have 3 samples that were sent to me by Peggy Johnson at imagewizards.net, phone is 800-849-3390 or 336-940-3000, and fax is 336-940-3030 ext 232 or 215. They are located at 155 Commerce Dr., Advance, NC 27006. 1 is ultra gloss and 2 are white satin on aluminum 0.45", they are 6"x8" samples showing exceptional color and detail. Normal size prints are mounted and sent to you in a custom wooden shipping box. They can go up to 4 feet x 8 feet. The box edges are available in brushed, polished, or black aluminum edge.
I prefer the satin look, the ultra gloss is too reflective. Their appearance depending on how they are mounted looks industrial, although if mounted in a wood frame, you would never know they were mated to aluminum.
They look very classy in the right setting, but would only look good in a home setting if the home had a very modern decor to match. Too bad you don't still live in Divide, I could show them to you first hand.
I've talked to Peggy on the phone a couple of times. But I didn't feel I could afford to use their product and still be competitive pricewise with traditional print mounting, not because they aren't worth the extra cost, but only because I didn't think the general public would appreciate the quality difference.
Don
Posted by Jesse Speer on April 21, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Hah, my samples were hiding on the front porch after all. Yeah, it's Image Wizards. Thanks for your feedback Don. I agree, it might work with certain images (ice, etc.). The Satin looks worthwhile. I'm gonna try it. Though, I haven't seen pricing yet. Do you have a price sheet you can email me?
I visited the Laser Light - laslight.com booth at NANPA and used the coupon they gave me to make a 24x36 on a .045 thick aluminum sheet. I also did the Euro box mount, which honestly doesn't look as clean as plaque-mount with a box. The print looks pretty remarkable though, with rich, saturated color. It has some glare, but nothjing like regular glass. The process they do is: make an inkjet print and "the image is not mounted on aluminum, instead it is fused into the nearly flaw free polyester coating on top of the white finished .045 aluminum." In short, it looks pretty damn good. It was expensive, but could be a solution for special clients.
Sorry, Jesse, I don't have a price sheet. Peggy quoted me some prices on the phone but I can't find where I wrote them down ( no it wasn't on the palm of my hand ).
Vince Martinez here, I can offer the same services as image wizards, print lounge, etc. I can print direct to acrylics, metals, wood products, etc. This is a direct print to the material without any laminating. We are not offering this service to the general public...yet, but I will offer it to RMNP members.
I'm located in Arvada.
Please contact me if you are interested.
Thanks,
Vince
hrkvince at aol dot com
303-710-1712
Posted by Jesse Speer on April 22, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Thanks Dave! I finally got look at image wizard pricing. Laser Light is looking really good now.
Vince, thanks for the offer ... I'd be interested in hearing how your process/pricing compares to Laser Light chromes. I will contact you when I have access to email again.
I've had a local C.S. Company Laser Etch my shots into several surfaces! WOW! Even a Steel Coffee Cup
Posted by Nat Coalson on April 29, 2009 at 3:14 AM
I would like to recommend Vince's services... I visited his facility just before I left for NZ and was really impressed. With his very late-model solvent flatbed printer (I think it's a Mimaki?) he can print on all kinds of materials (up to 2" thick!) and the results are absolutely beautiful.
Vince has a real eye for detail and produces top notch work. When I get home I'm having him print some samples for me and I'm excited at the possibilities, especially with Durabond and acrylic.
Discussion
10 repliesI also notice that Duraplaq mounts to aluminum. Anyone experimented with this as well? Any comments by those who have seen their setup in person?
I have 3 samples that were sent to me by Peggy Johnson at imagewizards.net, phone is 800-849-3390 or 336-940-3000, and fax is 336-940-3030 ext 232 or 215. They are located at 155 Commerce Dr., Advance, NC 27006. 1 is ultra gloss and 2 are white satin on aluminum 0.45", they are 6"x8" samples showing exceptional color and detail. Normal size prints are mounted and sent to you in a custom wooden shipping box. They can go up to 4 feet x 8 feet. The box edges are available in brushed, polished, or black aluminum edge.
I prefer the satin look, the ultra gloss is too reflective. Their appearance depending on how they are mounted looks industrial, although if mounted in a wood frame, you would never know they were mated to aluminum.
They look very classy in the right setting, but would only look good in a home setting if the home had a very modern decor to match. Too bad you don't still live in Divide, I could show them to you first hand.
I've talked to Peggy on the phone a couple of times. But I didn't feel I could afford to use their product and still be competitive pricewise with traditional print mounting, not because they aren't worth the extra cost, but only because I didn't think the general public would appreciate the quality difference.
Don
Vince Martinez here, I can offer the same services as image wizards, print lounge, etc. I can print direct to acrylics, metals, wood products, etc. This is a direct print to the material without any laminating. We are not offering this service to the general public...yet, but I will offer it to RMNP members.
I'm located in Arvada.
Please contact me if you are interested.
Thanks,
Vince
hrkvince at aol dot com
303-710-1712
Vince, thanks for the offer ... I'd be interested in hearing how your process/pricing compares to Laser Light chromes. I will contact you when I have access to email again.
Vince has a real eye for detail and produces top notch work. When I get home I'm having him print some samples for me and I'm excited at the possibilities, especially with Durabond and acrylic.