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The Metal Print Process

Turret Arch by Bryan Haile

Eliminating the need for frames, metal prints are a modern medium for exhibiting landscape photography by infusing dyes into the surface of specially coated aluminum sheets. The metal print has a frame mounted out of view on the back for hanging and gives the print the effect of floating out away from the wall. The lightness of the aluminum, and the simplicity of the mounting hardware, makes hanging easy.

The secret is the coatings and how they are applied. Several layers of cutting edge sublimation coatings are aplied to a high-quality base aluminum. Sublimation is the conversion between the solid and the gaseous phases of matter, with no intermediate liquid stage. A good example is the water cycle, sublimation is most often used to describe the process of snow and ice changing into water vapor in the air without first melting into water.

These coatings are then cured. From there, the metal sheets are routed or sheared into a multitude of different sizes and shapes. Now we are ready to sublimate. The sublimation process uses special dyes that, when heated, turn into gas. During the heating process, the pores of the coatings open to receive the gas. When heat is removed, the gas cools and the pores of the coatings close, trapping the dyes deep inside the coatings. This encapsulation has two advantages. One, because of the toughness of the coatings, it is very difficult to damage/affect the coatings or the dyes. The second advantage is that the coatings and dyes are suspended between the top surface of the coatings and the surface of the base metal. 

The Metal Print Look

Mesa Arch by Karen Chatham

These edge to edge landscape prints have a clean look and eliminate the clutter, cost and distraction of traditional photo framing. The color suspended in the special print surface has a rich, vivid luminance which make the photos seem to pop off the wall. The high gloss surface gives the photographs depth and brilliance which will take your breath away!

Compared to a paper print from a custom lab, a metal print is expensive. There are extra charges for mounting blocks, rounded corners , and shipping options. 

Garden of Eden Sunset by Robert McKendrick

There is no need to put a metal print behind glass. A special UV-resistant coating makes them scratch resistant and protects them from water. Chromaluxe claims your images will last for generations. Chromaluxe has published a video demonstrating the durability of metal prints.