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Today we provide an insight into how the metal print process works and some of the many advantages of using ChromaLuxe Vs Dibond for metal prints.
ChromaLuxe is a state-of-the-art coating which infuses your image directly onto aluminium sheets. It is a high end product which achieves the kind of stunning quality results you deserve in your home.
To create your metal print, we first print your image onto sublimation paper. Sublimation paper has a special polyester coating which is designed to hold then release dye sublimation ink. Your image is then layered onto a specially engineered aluminium sheet with a ChromaLuxe coating and transferred to our heat press. The press infuses the image directly onto the metal at a temperature of 375°F (190°C) to 400°F (205°C) for two to four minutes resulting in a pixel perfect, vibrant print.
There are various products on the market that can be used to create metal prints. We prefer ChromaLuxe because of its superior quality, and many professional photographers would agree. The four of the main advantages of using ChromaLuxe Vs Dibond for creating metal prints are:
ChromaLuxe metal prints are exceptionally durable because the image is fused onto the ChromaLuxe coated metal surface. This provides unbeatable durability as the image then exists in a virtually ageless medium which can withstand many environmental factors including sun and rain. This means that your metal prints could be hung outdoors in the garden or even in the shower.
Metal prints created using ChromaLuxe are very scratch resistant because of the properties of the coating, and they are also fade resistant because the dye is infused into this coating. Tests have shown ChromaLuxe to be four times more colourfast in both sunlight and artificial light than a photo on photographic paper.
Whilst other metal print products – such as Dibond – are also durable to an extent, the unique fusing of the image into the coating rather than printing it directly onto a metal surface makes ChromaLuxe the best choice here.
One of the main reasons that ChromaLuxe is the metal print product of choice for many professional photographers is the vibrancy of colour. Because the dye is applied via heat and pressure directly into coated metal sheets, a ChromaLuxe print will display your image accurately and clearly. Your image will have depth and a vibrancy of colour that has to be seen to be believed.
In the words of professional photographer Blake Rudis:
“I love ChromaLuxe metal prints because I spend countless hours making my images perfect, it is only right to print them in the perfect medium. Not only that, I have never felt my heart stop in the way it does when I glance at my images on metal. The detail is so clear and crisp.”
With Dibond the image is printed directly onto the metal. This means that pale colours and white in the image are likely to reveal the aluminium surface beneath, which distorts the surface rather than it being a completely accurate rendition of the original image.
ChromaLuxe metal prints are only 1.14mm thick. This means that they are lightweight and easy to carry. So you can take your time to decide where they are going to be displayed without straining yourself in the process!
You also do not need any additional equipment to mount them: your metal prints will come with either an integrated bracket for wall hanging or a fixed stand if you prefer to display them on a surface.
Due to the number of layers, Dibond prints tend to be thicker, often around 3mm, so will not give you as streamlined an appearance as ChromaLuxe.
One of the advantages of metal prints in general is that they are sustainable. At Print Your Memory we care deeply about the environment. We use materials from sustainable sources, and recycle as much waste material as possible. We know that you, our customers, also share this commitment. If at some future stage you for any reason decide to replace some of your metal prints with different ones, you can be confident that the aluminium from the old ones can be recycled.
ChromaLuxe metal prints consist only of one layer of aluminium, so are fully recyclable. Unlike Dibond which has three layers – the intermediate layer being black plastic. This is another reason why we love ChromaLuxe so much!
We hope that this article has helped you to understand more about how metal prints are produced, and why ChromaLuxe is the best product for creating them.
The reason Print Your Memory came into being in the first place was because we wanted to provide a vibrant, durable and altogether better alternative to paper prints. So we created Print Your Memory to enable you to have your photos or digital images printed directly onto high quality aluminium.
Metal prints look wonderful in your home and can also be displayed inside or out, as such they are the perfect way to add personality to your home.
If this has inspired you to create some wonderful metal prints for your home, you can do this easily online with us at Print Your Memory. All you need to do is choose the size of print you want, upload your image(s) and we will do the rest! Your metal prints will be with you within a few days and will be ready to display immediately in your home – no frame needed. So why not brighten up your home with some fabulous new metal prints?
If you’re looking for advice on how to take a photo worthy of display then head over to our Guide section where we share some top tips and industry secrets on capturing that perfect shot.
