printing on metal
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- spifflink
So I am doing these custom aluminum lunchboxes for a band, and I am trying to find someone that can print color onto this brushed aluminum. my local printer I would use for this decided to keep taking days off so I can't get a hold of them. any tips?
- Nairn0
Mini screen print.
- Nairn0
There are also processes for using a laser engraver to add colour to metals, but I wouldn't know where to begin finding one for your area.
- monospaced0
The beverage/packaging industry prints on to aluminum substrates regularly, so it is a common enough practice. Sorry, I don't have any vendors for it though, it was always handled by the client.
- You know, I would actually contact lunchboxes.com and ask them for a suggestion.monospaced
- baseline_shift0
You might also want to contact local manufacturers/fabricators. Ive always asked for guidance from the manufacturing shop we work with for anything regarding aluminum. They might know of some processes that we don't.
- danthon0
polyester coated aluminum>dye sublimation
- Horp0
Sticker them, you'll not have much luck with printing. You might get some kind of enamel print done but its going to be easier and cheaper to sticker them.
How about a dye-punch?
- that's a crock of shit, printing on aluminum is old-school and very successfulmonospaced
- Oh right.Horp
- = DHorp
- Llantera0
I used a t-shirt printer when i made aluminum cd cases. Came out good.
- Nairn0
I suppose a lot depends on how many you're getting done. There's a gulf of difference between a 50 piece job and a 5 or 50 thousand unit job.
- harlequino0
Jesus I'm gonna lose a good hour browsing that lunchbox site.
A Quiet Riot lunchbox! *squeals
- juhls0
I've seen it done on thinner pieces, but not sure about lunch boxes.
- fresnobob0
Screen printing is the way to go.
- DrBombay0
pad printing possibly.
- DrBombay0
I may be buying some etching compound pretty soon :)