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Author Topic: Printing on Metal  (Read 18206 times)

douvidl

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Printing on Metal
« on: February 03, 2011, 02:09:57 pm »

Aside from the metal media available from Booksmart Studio and the metal roll referred to by Dan Berg in an earlier post, does anyone know of another vendor?  Although the Booksmart product is very good, the price is about $13/sheet for a box of ten.  And working with a big roll of metal requires space that I don't have. 
Thanks in advance.
David
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Randy Carone

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2011, 02:21:12 pm »

Booksmart metal must be run using your printer's straight feed path, so rolls are out. What printer do you plan to use? I believe Epson is the best, and maybe the only choice, for Booksmart metal. From Booksmart Studio's website:

Our Fine Art Metal can be used with any printer with a straight pass-through print feed, which includes all Epson machines and select HP & Canon models.
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John Hollenberg

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2011, 02:50:34 pm »

Quote
believe Epson is the best, and maybe the only choice, for Booksmart metal.

Not true.  Here is a PDF file from Booksmart from 2007 about printing on Booksmart metal with the Canon iPF5000:

http://canonipf.wikispaces.com/file/view/Printing+Metal+on+Canon-1.pdf
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Randy Carone

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Printing on Metal
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2011, 03:02:39 pm »

Thanks for the info John. My post does include a quote from Booksmart that states that their metal can be used on "select HP and Canon models".
« Last Edit: February 03, 2011, 04:01:13 pm by Randy Carone »
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Randy Carone

dgberg

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2011, 03:12:58 pm »

 www.metallurgy4.us.com
They sent me an email that they now have a USA distributor.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2011, 03:23:05 pm by Dan Berg »
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Sven W

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2011, 04:20:55 pm »

The absolutely cheapest way to print on metal, is to make the sheets by yourself.
Aluminium sheets coated with InkAid at a fraction of what Booksmart charge you.

/Sven
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neile

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2011, 05:04:21 pm »

Dan, have you got any samples from Metallurgy? I'm fascinated that they have it available in rolls.

Neil
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Neil Enns
Dane Creek Folio Covers. Limited edition Tuscan Sun and Citron covers are now in stock!

dgberg

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2011, 05:41:04 pm »

I have some on the way. Will let you know how it works out.

Steve Kapalko

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2011, 01:37:03 pm »

Although I've been reading for some time, I'm newly registered.  This subject caught my eye and I thought I could contribute the information below.  I attended a Golden demonstration with my wife (she uses Golden products) and the products below were demonstrated.  Although neither of us have yet tried to use them, they appeared promising.  No affiliation other than satisfied customer.

GOLDEN Digital Grounds
GOLDEN Digital Grounds are ink-receptive coatings intended for use with ink-jet printers.  They allow the artist to coat and subsequently print over a large variety of substrates including paper, canvas, metal and acrylic paints, using ordinary computer printers and inks. For more information on GOLDEN Digital Grounds, see the Digital Ground Product Information & Application Sheet and the Mix More Media section of the website.

There are three types of Digital Grounds available:
Digital Ground White (Matte) – A semi-opaque white ground suitable for printing onto a large variety of porous and non-porous surfaces.  The smooth and absorbent surface allows printing inks to dry rapidly, making it an ideal starting product for artists exploring digital printing.
Digital Ground Clear (Gloss) – A clear gloss ground for use on most porous surfaces where clarity is desired to view underlying materials.

Digital Ground for Non Porous Surfaces – A clear gloss ground for coating non-porous surfaces, such as plastic and metal, when clarity is desired.


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douvidl

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2011, 01:49:51 pm »

Sven;

How ? What is the process?
David
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Sven W

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2011, 06:37:13 pm »

I'm off for the weekend, but I'll give you an answer on Monday.

/Sven
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dgberg

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #11 on: February 04, 2011, 06:59:36 pm »

Sven;

How ? What is the process?
David

David,
Do not want to step on Sven's response but in the meantime look at my July blog. Pictures and an article on coating and printing metal flashing.
www.bergscanvasgallery.blogspot.com

douvidl

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #12 on: February 04, 2011, 07:45:34 pm »

Dan;
Don't you have to abraid the metal before applying the goop? And is Inkaid the only stuff that works?  Lastly the sheet that goes into the machine must be flat.  Given that it comes from a roll, how does on make it flat?
Thanks
David
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dgberg

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2011, 05:17:42 am »

The sheet metal I used did not have a protective coating but I still used 0000 steel wool to scuff the surface.
The piece never really gets flat while printing if cut off a roll. When printing with the 7900 or 9900 the curve of the tips go down. The vacumn system pulls it flat for printing. You would never want to put it the other way as a head strike would probably follow. If you look at the print on my blog you still see the curve in it. The next mounting step is what flattens it. Attaching it to a backer like Dibond or gatorboard. I still have not had time to purchase a sheet but my local metal dealer has.028 sheets in 4' x8' and will shear (For a price) into sizes I request. I have seen sheets cut by them and the edges look perfect.
 The other coating on the market besides Inkaid is Dass precoater.
« Last Edit: February 05, 2011, 07:11:16 am by Dan Berg »
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Sven W

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #14 on: February 07, 2011, 10:51:03 am »

Sven;

How ? What is the process?
David

Dan's description is similar to our workflow.

1. A printer with a straight paper path
2. Highest possible platen gap
3. Aluminum sheet not over the printers maximum media thickness (Epson PosterBoard)
4. Carefully cleaned sheet with denatured alcohol or methylated spirit.
5. Coated two times with InkAid. Drying between coatings.
6. Printing with PremiumGloss profile
7. Without touching anything, take the sheet very carefully from the printer, let to dry at least 12h.
8. Protective spray, coated 2-3 times.

/Sven
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douvidl

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #15 on: February 07, 2011, 11:06:35 am »

Sven;
Many thanks
David
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douvidl

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #16 on: February 07, 2011, 10:36:26 pm »

Sven;
Did you abraid the metal before de-greasing and applying the inkaid?
David
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Sven W

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #17 on: February 08, 2011, 06:14:11 am »

No.
I think that depends on the kind metal surface you have.
The most important is to get rid of the oil and grease from the metal, so
the InkAid will stick to it.

/Sven
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RFPhotography

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #18 on: February 09, 2011, 08:55:11 am »

I do the same as Sven and Dan.  I buy sheet aluminum and have it cut down to the size I want.  I've found a metal fabricator in my local area that will source and cut to my sizes.  I've got a stack of 13x19 and 16x24 from two sheets of 20 gauge aluminum.  It's got the plastic protective coating so the top surface is clean.  The cuts are clean so no damaged edges/corners to get caught in the printer.  

I've used DASS coating in the past but am switching to InkAid because I can source it locally.  With the DASS coating, I used the Epson PLPP paper setting and profile. 

Metals Plus is the supplier I found for the aluminum and they'll ship outside of Canada.

Cost per sheet is a fraction of what the Booksmart product costs and the metal is substantially heavier which makes for much better handling and much less chance of damage. 
« Last Edit: February 09, 2011, 08:57:05 am by BobFisher »
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douvidl

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Re: Printing on Metal
« Reply #19 on: February 11, 2011, 03:31:13 pm »

Sven;
I am waiting for my metal to dry.  I followed your workflow and so far, no problems.  I did use 0000 steel wool to clean the metal.  Some of the schmutz just wouldn't come of with just the alcohol.  If I use the premium gloss profile, should I use the matt or the photo ink.   

I bought the metal from Metal by the inch, https://metalbytheinch.com/index.html?searchstring=aluminum%20sheet  and spoke with Scott.  Very helpful and anxious to please.

I will continue to post progress.

Other comments more than welcome.  Have a safe weekend.  Down with Mubarek!!
David
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