What is a Metal Print?

by William Kenny

Exactly what is a metal print? What’s behind the unique appeal of aluminium photo prints? Read our quick introduction to find out!

With its superb print clarity and unbeatable durability, the print on aluminium is one of our premium wall decor products. But this strong and understated wall art piece isn’t familiar to all our customers. So we thought we’d take this chance to clarify just what the aluminium print is – and what sets it apart.

And in case you’re wondering if the metal print might be a little on the weighty side, we’ll explain why there’s no need to worry – and introduce the ingenious design we developed to keep our aluminium print as light as possible.

Contents in Brief:

• The Unique Qualities of Metal Prints

• How We Keep Weight to a Minimum

• Our Print Quality

• Glossy or Matte Finish

• How to Hang your Metal Print

OK, What’s Special About the Metal Print?

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As bold as they are elegant, metal prints offer premium photo reproduction as well as unbeatable strength. One glance is enough to see why they’re in high demand from fine-art photo galleries, prestigious hotels and business HQs, and the most sophisticated modern homes.

These are just a few of the great qualities that set aluminium prints apart.

• Sheer physicality. The metal print is the ultimate in bold and unapologetic wall decor. Nothing else has quite the commanding presence of a print made from sheets of pure aluminium!

• Ultra-slim composition. A print this strong doesn’t need to be bulky. With a depth of just 3mm, the metal print balances its bold aesthetic with a gracefully slender construction.

• Borderless design. Your photo image covers the entire front side: no borders, no frame. This stripped-back design lets the artwork speak for itself, making this the perfect high-impact statement piece.

• Hint of glamour. The restrained appeal of the print is set off with just a bit of metallic sheen. The very edges of the aluminium sheets are left exposed, giving the sides of your print a touch of silvery lustre.

• “Floating” installation. For the ultimate in minimalist chic, choose one of our ingenious hanging options. Each hanger stays hidden away behind your print, which will seem to float in the air against the wall. (For more details see below.)

So How Have You Kept Weight to a Minimum?

Part of the appeal of any metal print lies in its rugged construction, but this can’t come at the expense of convenience and safe installation.

The solution we found to strike this careful balance? An aluminium composite panel.

The composite panel is made up of a black plastic core sandwiched between two aluminium sheets. Thanks to the featherlight black plastic and the ultra-slim cut of the aluminium (already, of course, one of the lightest choices for a metal substrate), we’ve achieved the perfect balance.

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The aluminium print has all the strength and durability of metal, but comes in a weight that’s comparable with our other wall decor products.

That means our metal print is not only easy to transport, it’s also safe to install on any reasonably sturdy wall.

What About the Print Quality?

If you decide to print your cherished photo memory on aluminium, get ready to see it as if for the first time.

Metal prints draw on the same breathtaking colour palette as all our premium wall art choices. We select only the very finest inks, and apply them as generously as needed to get saturated colours that will light up any room.

Meanwhile, our state-of-the-art printing technology ensures that every detail of your photo image is reproduced with the strictest accuracy. We achieve ultra-crisp definition as well as the subtlest gradients, for an image that’s as vibrant as it is graceful.

Is the Finish Glossy or Matte?

You can choose either.

We produce the aluminium print in two great versions. Once you’ve uploaded your photo you’ll be directed to the product configurator, where you can choose a matte or glossy finish:

• Choose glossy and your image will be reproduced on laboratory-standard photo paper, which is then laminated onto the aluminium composite. Thanks to our special 12-colour printing technology, you can expect unbeatably sharp definition – shown to best advantage by a sleek and gleaming finish.

• Choose matte and your photo will be printed directly onto the metal composite. With its rich colours and subtle gradients, this design is perfect for fine art photography. The matte aluminium print will integrate perfectly into any sophisticated modern decor scheme.

How Can I Install My Metal Print?

Some of our wall art products can be hung up with little more than a length of cord. Needless to say, installing a metal print in a way that gives you complete peace of mind calls for something a bit more robust.

Luckily, we offer two fantastic hanging solutions that you can include as part of your order:

• Hanger plate. Recommended for small to medium prints. The miniature square plate is self-adhesive on one side and will attach firmly to the back of your print. The other side has a protruding ridge that can simply be rested on a screw or hook on the wall.

• Aluminium backframe. Recommended for medium to large prints. The backframe comes ready attached to your print if you select this option. It consists of four sturdy metal bars forming a rectangle. The upper bar can be rested on screws or a hanging cleat (a.k.a. French cleat) on your wall.

(Note: More detailed instructions are available here on this blog: check out the post “How to Hang Aluminium Prints for Maximum Visual Impact”.)

There are other installation options – such as metal posts or frames – but we recommend the tried-and-tested solutions above, available in our shop for just a small extra cost!

Final Word

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Thanks to our cutting-edge printing techniques, the aluminium print can do full justice to fine art photographs. But it’s also got the sheer muscular impact to work as a statement installation. And despite its unmatched strength, it’s not much heavier than an acrylic or photo board print.

All this at prices which shouldn’t be beyond the pocket of any serious first-time buyer of custom photo prints.

So if you’ve got a special photo that’s as powerful as it is elegant, get it printed on aluminium and see for yourself!