Hello,
I have just recently begun experimenting printing on Aluminum Sheeting. Real beginner here so appreciate input from anyone who may have experience. Using an Epson 9900 printer.
There are many challenges because the Aluminum sheeting must be prepared before printing in two steps.
Use rolled aluminum sheeting purchased from Home Depot and then cut into 18 by 26 inch sheets. Then thoroughly clean sheets with 409 cleaner and also Naptha (fast evaporating) or other similar turpentine.
Have also tried circular sander on sheets to remove any of the protective coating. Have tried both scouring pads and soft sponges to clean surface. Tend to like the shiny surface a little more than the
sanded surface. Each method gives the surface a slightly different look.
Next step is applying several coats of fixative. Using a commercially available substance called INK AID. There are several options with INK AID adhesive, followed by INK AID matte or Ink Aid Semi-Gloss.
Each coat applied with 3 inch wide foam brush. Each coat seems to take at least 48 hours to set. Have tried both 2 or 3 coats. There is another surface prep product available called DASS (which I have not used)
My results have been mixed.
I have been slowly improving by changing settings on the Epson printer to widest platten gap and greatest suction. Seems to keep the sheets flattest during printing and helps avoid exit rollers from touching the
metal. Because the ink is still very wet after printing ceases these little rollers will leave marks on the last 4 or 5 inches of the print making them throw aways. Loading the metal is tricky because it needs to be
perfectly square with the printer and the metal can move around somewhat as the printer automatically moves it up and down to get it at the correct position. It is different than a similar size piece of fine art paper.
The wait time between the coats of Ink Aid is time consuming. Small specks of dust that land on the applied ink aid spoil the metal for printing (INK AID and dust particles can be washed off throughly and start the coating process again.).
Once the print is finished in the printer it will stay wet for 24 + hours. Handling the finished product carefully is a must. (It is not like photographic papers or even Canvas which is mostly dry as soon as the paper comes out of the printer. Even after 48 hours a single drop of water (sweat) will allow the ink to dissolve.
After 2 days drying I apply 1 to 2 coats of Clear Jet Type A2000 Solvent based protective coating. this dries in 15 minutes between coats. This coating helps keep the print from smudging.
To summarize there are many stages of drying, smudging the ink can happen so easily and the finished product looks good, but I am not "wowed" by the result.
Curious if anyone has experience printing on metal they might share. I know there are print houses like Bay Photo, Full Color, Image Wizards that print on metal and get great online reviews for their finished products.
Assuming their processes and printers are different.
Thanks,
John LeClair