Dibond^® Brushed Metal Aluminum Printing

The brushed aluminum finish of Dibond Brushed Metal Prints brings a unique metallic texture to your art pieces. While you may worry about damaging your artwork while cleaning it, our Dibond metallic prints offer unsurpassed durability, with high resistance to weathering and corrosion plus UV-cured ink for extra protection. 

While these prints are very durable, it’s best to use a microfiber cloth when cleaning them to avoid scratching the surface. You can clean your Dibond metallic prints with any mild cleaning product or soapy water.  

Step-by-Step Process to Clean Metallic Prints

1. Prepare Cleaning Solution: Mix a small amount of mild soap with water to create a soapy solution. Alternatively, you can use a mild cleaning solution designed for delicate surfaces like metallic prints.
2. Dampen Microfiber Cloth: Take a clean microfiber cloth and either dip it into the prepared soapy water or spray the mild cleaning solution directly onto the cloth. Ensure that the cloth is damp but not soaking wet.
3. Gently Remove Dirt and Fingerprints: Place the dampened microfiber cloth on the metallic print, starting from the center of the print and working your way outwards. Apply gentle pressure as you move the cloth in a circular motion.
4. Check for Stubborn Stains: If you encounter any stubborn stains or fingerprints, you may need to repeat the cleaning process or use a different cleaning solution specifically designed for removing tough stains from delicate surfaces.
5. Dry the Print: After cleaning, let the metallic print air dry or use a separate dry microfiber cloth to gently pat it dry. Avoid using regular paper towels or rough materials that could scratch the surface.
6. Inspect for Residue: Before displaying the cleaned metallic print, inspect it closely to ensure there are no streaks or residue left behind.

By following these step-by-step instructions, you can effectively clean your metallic prints, maintaining their vibrant appearance and ensuring they remain free from dust and fingerprints.

Things To Avoid While Cleaning Your Print

Now that you know what to do – let’s review some things to never do when cleaning your dibond print:

• Never use harsh cleaners: Avoid ammonia or alcohol-based cleaners, as these can damage the surface of your prints.
• Avoid excessive pressure: Be careful not to apply too much pressure to prevent any potential damage to the metallic surface or the printed image.
• Never pick at stains: Never try to scratch off a stain or stuck-on material, always gently wash it away instead.

With a few simple steps and some gentle care, your prints will look brand new again! 

For more information about displaying metal prints, check out this blog post: Getting the Most Out of Your Dibond Brushed Metal Prints

Dibond Printing

There are many reasons to get a photo printed on metal:

• Modern and Sleek Aesthetic – The metal surface gives the artwork a high-quality and sophisticated appearance.
• Durability and Longevity – Metal prints are more durable than paper prints – resistant to fading, moisture, and damage from handling.
• Unique Medium – An unconventional medium can be a perfect fit choice for photography.
• Minimalist and Clean Presentation – The lack of a frame or glass covering contributes to a minimalist and clean presentation.

But which type of metal print is right? Which type of metal print will give you the look you want?

If you want to give your photo the unmistakable metal print aesthetic, the two most popular options are a dibond metal print or metallic photo paper. They each have their own unique look to them and are better for different applications. We’ll dive into each and explain why you may want to choose one over the other.

Metal Dibond Printing

The metallic effect shows throughout the image; our UV-cured inks are not 100% opaque, which allows the grain and luster of the brushed aluminum Dibond surface to shine through. The lighter the color, the more grain is visible. Once we reach a pure white, you will see the brushed silver surface of the Dibond aluminum panel shine through, giving the print unique highlights and texture. Don’t be afraid to give your creation some attitude – use Dibond printing to take it to the next level. But maybe reconsider that portrait print of Grandma smiling. She’ll end up with silver teeth, and nobody wants that!

Tips on Metal Dibond Photos:

• Best for photos or artwork with little or no white
• Portraits or nature photos may not be a good choice
• Choose images enhanced by the metal sheen, texture, and colors

Metallic Photo Paper

On the other hand, Kodak Metallic HD Photo Paper gives your images an overall pearlescent metallic look, perfect for monochrome photography or bright, colorful images where a bit of extra sparkle and pop is desired. Since this is one of our true photographic processes, you may achieve higher definition and detail over Dibond, but Kodak Metallic HD Photo Paper does not feature any metal grain. White will still be close to white, leaning towards a very light silver tone.

HD Metallic Photo Paper

Tips For Metallic Photo Paper:

• Good for monochrome or bright colors
• Better for high-definition, portraits, and landscapes
• White color is closer to appearing as white

Metal Dibond Vs. Metallic Prints

There is no right or wrong answer, this is a choice of aesthetics. Both dibond and metallic paper offers a unique metal look to any art print but in different ways, so it really is a question of personal taste. That said there are some factors to consider when making the choice.

1. Cost: Metallic photo paper prints are generally (though not always) more affordable than Dibond metal prints but don’t come with all the advantages of metal prints.
2. Framing Options: Metallic photo paper prints can be easily framed using traditional framing methods, allowing for a wide range of framing styles and options whereas Dibond prints can be hung directly on the wall without the need of the frame.
3. Lighter Weight: Metallic photo paper prints are lighter in weight compared to Dibond metal prints, making them easier to handle and ship if that’s a concern.
4. Traditional Look: While they both have a unique metal print look to them, metallic photo paper is closer to a traditional-looking print than a dibond print.