Q&A for How to Print on Metal

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How do you print on aluminum?

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One easy way to do it is to get printable aluminum sheets that are designed to work with a standard inkjet printer. Alternatively, you’d need to make a transfer from an mirrored inkjet printout on paper, using special transfer dyes.

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How do you print 3D metal?

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You’ll need a specialized 3D printer that can reach high enough temperatures to melt or cut through metal. Unfortunately, these printers are expensive and not easily available for home use.

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Are metal prints worth it?

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It depends on your needs! Metal prints are very expensive, so you might opt for canvas or another less pricey option if you’re on a budget. Plus, metal printing really only works with vivid, high-contrast images. However, if you need something really durable, metal printing is a good bet. These prints are fade-proof, scratch resistant, and easy to clean.

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Question

If I'm using a transfer sheet, do I still sand the printing surface and apply a pre-coat?

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You can use fine sandpaper and clean all the dust with a cheesecloth-type of lint-free material. However, a pre-coat would likely keep more than just the transfer, so I would avoid that.

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Question

When I transfer the image, does it come out as a reverse image?

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If you're transferring to the metal, instead of printing directly to it, you will want to mirror your image before you print. You can do this with almost any photo editing program.

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For the second method, do I have to use a laser printer or will an inkjet one be okay?

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It needs to be a laser printer, inkjet won't work since you remove the paper with a wet rag.

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