Printing on metal

[Count Elmsley]

Try here - you first scan your film to CD, then make an inkjet print.

You soak this in water and then the image slides off the top like a transfer.

It will adhere nicely to any kind of material, including metal.

Alan

www.lazertran.com

[TPF Sponsor]

[Man_ofSTEEL]

Hey Niffer,
You need to find a local printer that uses a flatbed printer w/ UV curing inks.
In Chicago both Digital Imaging Resource(ask for Al Cerkin) and ColorIMAGE (ask for Mickey)
can do printing directly to "my" steel (I've been using 21 guage galvanized steel- both flat& w/ a formed wdge/lip)

Some images are OK if they are not first backed-up with a coating of white ink- then your image.
Other images may require that.......currently I'm using some of my Industrial urban Landscape images
(Chicago's got lots of areas/sides of town that appear Rust-Belt-like)

My Steel Furniture that I design and build is what led to my exploration of wanting to combine my favorite material-
Steel- with my other passion - Photography!
Next on my list is combining my Light Fixtures with some of my images as well....

Finding a good, understanding printer is helpful- avoid knuckleheads that suggest "....why not just print to vinyl and apply it to the steel? "
A printer that has a Rho Printer or a high end HP is a good place to start.
Use key Words of "Direct Flatbed Printing to any substrate"-
and then you should find your printer.
Or- feel free to call my above suggestions.!
Happy New Year!
Randall- aka The Man of Steel

[unpopular]

Prime the metal with several thin coats of clear spray adhesive and use Rockland Liquid Light. I've known lots of people who have had success doing this.

I've played with a LOT of other theoretical ideas, some pretty far fetched. PM me if you want to discuss.