Metallic photographic prints

[Gardenarian]

Has anyone had these made, or made them themselves?

I've been seeing these prints on metal (aluminum?) at arts and crafts fairs, and they are just beautiful. The color saturation and clarity is astonishing.

I'm wondering what results would be like if you are using photos from a fairly high quality point-and-shoot camera.
The prints are offered by a lot of online vendors.

I don't want to do this as hobby or business or anything - I just have some good photos of dd, our dogs, and some travel photos that might make nice prints.

[SteveinMN]

Gardenarian, a high-quality P&S camera can do the job. If a print from that camera looks good on paper, it will look good on metal. About the only exceptions to this may be pictures with large swaths of black/very dark (e.g., nighttime) or white/very light (e.g., snow), because the metalicizing can shift those colors a bit. You may like the pearlescent effect; you may not.

You might, however, be selective of the vendor. Low prices generally indicate a "grind-'em-out" process, which could mean color/hue shifts, etc., and a reluctance on their part to do it over to your satisfaction. Better vendors will take some care that what you see on your computer screen more closely approximates what they print -- though that can be a difficult thing to do at the highest quality levels.

[Gardenarian]

Thanks Steve! Do you have a vendor you'd particularly recommend?

[tetrimbath]

One suggestion, buy a small print from an online source as a test sample.

The cheapest I could find on my Fine Art America gallery (http://fineartamerica.com/products/a-true-seahawk-tom-trimbath-metal-print.html) was about $50. Metal prints aren't cheap. One other option is metallic ink on conventional paper. My local printer (Fine Balance Imaging (http://www.gratitudegallery.com/) on Whidbey Island) has done impressive work, but I can't recall the price.

[Tussiemussies]

Last night I was looking at my Outdoor Photography magazine and there was an ad for this in the first few pages. I have seen them advertise before in each issue. I will take a look and post their info....

[Tussiemussies]

Okay it is: bayphoto.com/metalprints

[SteveinMN]

I'm sorry, Gardenarian, I've never had occasion to make one. If I did, however, I probably would stick to places that specialize in prints, like B&H Photo or Adorama or, here in the Twin Cities, the local National Camera Exchange chain. Maybe places like Shutterfly and SnapFish if they do metallics. I've had hit-and-miss results with Walgreen's and CVS.

[Float On]

Here's what Nations Photo Lab says about them....
$50 sounds like the average price.
PRODUCT SPECS
•Your images become vibrant works of art with ultra high definition colors & a unique luminescent appearance.
•Displaying your image is easy! Choose from our black shadow mount, aluminum easel or float mount hanger.
• Metal Prints are 1mm in thinness with a white gloss surface.

CLEANING & CARE INSTRUCTIONS
•Keep Metal Prints indoors, out of direct sunlight.
•Handle the surface with care to avoid scratching.
•Do not stack metal prints on top of each other as abrasions will occur.
•Clean Metal Prints with glass cleaner and a clean rag.

ORDERING DETAILS
•Due to the raw material of the aluminum used, tiny bumps and imperfections are inevitable in the final product.
•When the Prints are quality controlled by our professionally trained team, a Metal Print may be reprinted only if the bump is on a very noticeable focal point of the photo and distracts from the image.

PROCESSING TIMES

3 Business Days /// More info.

*due to high volumes turnaround time for this product may be delayed 1-2 business days.
http://www.nationsphotolab.com/metal_prints.aspx

[Float On]

Did you buy one yet? I just saw a groupon deal for $10 for a metal photo print. There was also a deal for one on slate.

[peggy]

If it's just the look you like and don't really care if it's on actual metal then iprintfromhome.com has a metalic photographic print that's really pretty. Check them out. It's the look for a reasonable price.