DYE SUBLIMATION ONTO ALUMINUM

Metal Prints

DYE SUBLIMATION ONTO ALUMINUM

Sublimation onto aluminum also referred to as a metal print, aluminum print, or ChromaLuxe, stands out as a contemporary method of preserving artistic creations. This technique involves infusing archival dyes into a specially treated aluminum sheet through heat transfer, thereby skipping the liquid state and going from solid to gas and back to solid – ensuring a unique and durable outcome.

Sublimation onto aluminum culminates in the dyes becoming fully embedded beneath the surface, creating a permanent fusion that exudes longevity. Wilhelm Imaging Research's extensive testing has confirmed the archival quality of these prints, which have an impressive longevity of up to 65+ years.

The Process

The image is printed in reverse using specially formulated dyes onto a transfer paper via inkjet technology. Then, the paper is adhered to a sheet of pre-treated aluminum. Finally, it is put into a heat press where the temperatures reach 350-400 degrees. While subjected to extreme heat and pressure, the dyes from the transfer paper turn into a gas, are pressed into the surface of the metal, and then solidify into the treated aluminum.

This is where the sublimation heat transfer occurs. The transfer process takes between 3-10 minutes per press. Once out of the heat press, the aluminum cools, and the process is complete. No additional coatings or laminates were applied after. As the dyes cool, they are permanently infused beneath the surface of the metal substrate. 

BENEFITS

  • 65+ Years Archivability. Wilhelm Imaging Research and Rochester Institute of Technology conducted permanence tests. Third-party results are available upon request.

  • Dyes are infused beneath the exterior coating through sublimation. This makes it more durable than traditional paper and canvas imaging because it can’t be scratched or peeled off the surface.

  • The surface of the aluminum comes in a variety of finishes. A truly flat surface allows the viewer to experience the artwork at the surface level without additional glazing.

  • No need to worry about fingerprints or blemishes on the surface. A microfiber cloth and household cleaner can be used to clean dye sub prints. Perfect for public spaces and other high traffic areas.

  • Though extremely rigid and durable, the recycled aluminum is light weight and easy to hang.  A 40x60" panel with an aluminum float backing weighs approximately 13lbs.

  • Composed of anodized aluminum, ChromaLuxe sheets are rigid as well as flexible. The substrate can be bent at a 90 Angle while retaining its structure. Aluminum can be reinforced from he back of the panel to add extra durability for indoor and outdoor art displays. Aluminum Sheets Thickness: .045" (1.14 mm)

  • Single aluminum is rigid and protected, which allows a wide range of mounting and framing options. Unlike paper, which requires a glazing overtop. Dye-sub aluminum is the most versatile substrate for display, with unique mounting and framing options.

    Sublimated aluminum can be displayed in a traditional, contemporary float frames, suspended off the wall using an inset backing, or used with standoffs in the corners for a more industrial look.

  • Dye sublimation technology allows for creating vibrant, long-lasting colors that are resistant to fading and discoloration over time. Using dyes allows for greater contrast and D-Max. Color translates deeper & richer colors thanks to inkjet dyes.

  • Proprietary coatings utilized on all ChromaLuxe print media provide a surface resistant to all forms of chemicals, bacteria*, contaminants, and pathogens.

  • Sublimated aluminum is resistant to high heat, so artwork can be hung in specific corporate and public environments that meet today’s fire-rated standards.

  • After the heat transfer process, the artwork is completed. No additional UV Acrylic or Glass is needed to protect the artwork.

  • ChromaLuxe aluminum is produced by 90% Recycled aluminum, and it’s 100% Recyclable after sublimation. Manufactured in the United States

  • The largest single aluminum panel can be produced at 48x96". Multiple panels can be joined and braced together in the back to create larger installations.

  • Chromaluxe EXT aluminum has been specifically formulated for outdoor installations. Resistant to temperature and humidity fluctuations.

White Gloss

  • High Definition: The white gloss finish provides a brilliant, high-definition surface that makes colors pop with vibrancy and clarity. It enhances the depth and detail of the printed image, making it more eye-catching and engaging.

    Subject Matter: The choice of a glossy finish can also depend on the subject matter of the print. High-contrast images, vibrant landscapes, and detailed photographs often benefit the most from the qualities of a glossy finish.

  • Glossy finishes make colors appear more vibrant and lively. The reflective surface amplifies the color saturation, making images pop and appear more dynamic.

    Visual Impact: The shine and vibrancy of a glossy finish can create a strong visual impact, drawing the viewer's attention and making the image stand out. This is particularly beneficial in gallery settings or competitive environments where capturing the viewer's interest is paramount.

  • Deep Blacks and Improved Contrast: Glossy surfaces deliver deeper blacks and enhance contrast, creating a more visually striking image with greater depth and dimensionality.

    Enhanced Sharpness: A glossy finish can improve the perception of sharpness in an image. The increased contrast and color depth contribute to a crisper look, where fine details are more pronounced and evident.

    Clarity: Images printed with a glossy finish often exhibit greater clarity, as the smooth, reflective surface allows light to bounce back directly, enhancing the visual impact of the photograph or artwork.

  • Display Conditions: Glossy finishes are best suited for controlled lighting conditions where glare can be minimized. In environments with direct light or windows, reflections on the glossy surface can sometimes obscure the image.

White Semi Gloss

  • The semi-gloss finish provides a contemporary look that suits various decor styles. It offers a slight sheen that enhances the image's appearance without the glare associated with high gloss finishes, making it versatile for various lighting conditions.

  • Semi-Gloss is 50/50 blend of gloss and matte finishes which provides best of both worlds.

  • The Dye Sublimation process uses dye, which allows it to retain vibrant color with reduced glare.

White MATTE

  • Soft Images. No Reflection. Good or natural sunlight and most durable finish. Great for vintage work.

    Attributes: • Most Durable • No Reflection

  • Maintain clear detail and dimensionality in the image without being "flattened" like typical matte substrates

  • Matte finish aluminum is designed to have a non-glossy surface, which effectively reduces the reflection of light. The anti-reflective properties of a matte finish arise from the microscopic texture of the aluminum surface. This texture scatters light in multiple directions, diffusing the beams and minimizing glare. Unlike a polished surface that reflects light directly, producing bright spots, a matte finish absorbs more light and results in a softer appearance.

    Furthermore, the matte finish minimizes the visibility of fingerprints, scratches, and smudges compared to glossier surfaces. This characteristic is particularly beneficial in environments where a smooth, reflective look may not be desirable, such as in industrial applications or modern architectural designs. Overall, the matte finish not only provides aesthetic appeal but also enhances practicality by maintaining a clean, refined look over time.

  • Due to the chemistry make-up of the matte finish, the aluminum is the most durable substrate to the image on without additional glazings.

CLEAR GLOSS

  • The Clear Finishes produce an image where the silver of the aluminum shows through instead of any white. There is no white in the final print, but instead a metallic sheen that shows through instead, creating a unique and interactive artwork that plays off of the light reflecting onto its surface. The Clear Gloss finishes picks up the most reflection and plays with reflective light bouncing off of the image to illuminate it.

    Attributes:
    • Glass-Like Finish • Silver Aluminum showing through • Vibrant • Refective

  • The loss of bright whites to contrast against the color and tonal range of an image creates a softer overall feel that focuses more on the iridescence of the metal surface. Colors and Black translate vibrantly, and negative areas become metallic silver.

  • Highly reflective surface.

    Glossy finishes are best suited for controlled lighting conditions where glare can be minimized. In environments with direct light or windows, reflections on the glossy surface can sometimes obscure the image, but with this unique finish

    can also provide unique and interactive shine.

CLEAR Semi Gloss

  • The Clear Finishes produce an image where the silver of the aluminum shows through instead of any white. There is no white in the final print, but instead, a metallic sheen shows through, creating a unique and interactive artwork that plays off the light reflecting onto its surface. The Clear Gloss finish picks up the most reflection and plays with reflective light bouncing off the image to illuminate it.

    Attributes:
    Glass-Like Finish
    Silver of the Aluminum Showing Through
    Vibrant
    Reflective

  • The loss of bright whites to contrast against an image's color and tonal range creates a softer overall feel that focuses more on the iridescence of the metal surface. Colors and Black translate vibrantly, and negative areas become metallic silver.

  • Less reflective surface.

    A happy medium between the sheen of the Gloss finish and the anti-glare properties of the Matte finish.

Clear Matte

  • The Clear Finishes produce an image where the silver of the aluminum shows through instead of any white. There is no white in the final print, but instead, a metallic sheen shows through, creating a unique and interactive artwork that plays off the light reflecting onto its surface. The Clear Matte offers an anti-reflective surface with the least reflectivity to the surface but still plays with the sheen of the silver showing through.

    Attributes:
    Rich in Color
    Silver of the Aluminum Showing Through
    Anti-Reflective

  • The loss of bright whites to contrast against an image's color and tonal range creates a softer overall feel that focuses more on the radiance of the metal surface. Colors and Black translate vibrantly, and negative areas become metallic silver.

  • Anti-Reflective surface.

    The matte finish significantly reduces glare, making it easier to view images from any angle without the distraction of reflections. This is particularly advantageous in brightly lit environments or where lighting conditions cannot be controlled.

Clear Finish Example

Printed without white - images transform into a metallic sheet. See how we created an enlarged “tin-type” replica.

CUSTOM SHAPES

Our CNC router allows us to create custom sizes and shapes. Whether you need a custom size because you don't want to crop your image to standard sizes or want to create custom designs and shapes for your artwork, Blazing can do it! (Shapes include circles, letters, and custom-cut designs.) The Maximum size is 48x96".

Outdoor

ChromaLuxe EXT aluminum panels are specially designed for outdoor and direct sunlight applications, expanding the possibilities for high-quality photo and image reproduction outside the traditional indoor environments. These panels are made with a unique, durable coating that can withstand exposure to weather, UV rays, and other outdoor elements, making them an excellent choice for signage, photography, art installations, and other displays intended for outdoor use.

MultiPanel

One effective approach is to combine multiple sheets of aluminum to expand beyond the constraints of a 48x96” single sheet size. By strategically joining these sheets together, a larger surface area can be achieved while maintaining the desired strength and durability characteristic of aluminum. This method allows for creating customized sizes tailored to specific project requirements, offering versatility and flexibility in design and application. Additionally, combining multiple sheets of aluminum enables the potential for innovative uses in various industries.

ENGRAVING

Our CNC router capabilities make us proficient in engraving directly onto metal prints. This innovative process allows artists to intricately embed their distinctive signatures onto their artwork, offering a lasting personal touch. This feature is particularly beneficial for facilitating seamless drop-shipping services to the art collector, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience.

Artist Projects

Our dye sub PROCESS
Exclusively Uses