DYE-SUBLIMATION ONTO ALUMINUM

Sublimation onto aluminum, (also know as metal print), is a process of infusing dyes into a sheet of pre-treated aluminum via heat transfer. Sublimation is the process of going from a solid to a gas, back to a solid - skipping the liquid state. Once the dyes submerge underneath the surface, the process is complete and permanent. Archival up to 65+ years tested by Wilhelm imaging research.

THE PROCESS

The image is first printed onto a transfer paper via inkjet technology. Then, the paper is adhered to a sheet of pre-treated aluminum. Finally, it is put into a heat press where the temperatures reach between 350-400 degrees. While being subjected to extreme heat and pressure, the dyes from the transfer paper turn into a gas, are pressed into the surface of the metal, and then solidify into the treated aluminum. This is where the sublimation heat transfer occurs. The transfer process takes between 3-10 minutes per press. Once out of the press, the aluminum cools and the process is complete. There is no additional coatings or laminates applied after. As the dyes cool, they are permanently infused beneath the surface of the metal substrate. 

BENEFITS

ARCHIVAL​SCRATCH RESISTANTMODERN FINISHWIPEABLE ARTWORKLIGHT WEIGHTRESISTANT TO CHEMICALS & BACTERIAFIRE RETARDANTNO GLAZING REQUIREDRECYCLED ALUMINUM